About us

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The Quebec Equity Diversity Inclusion Network (RQEDI) is the result of a reflection already initiated by the academic community within the Quebec Interuniversity Equity Diversity Inclusion Network (RIQEDI).

RIQEDI, a non-profit organization, is a community of practice. Its mission is to bring together actors from Quebec universities who have the mandate or the desire to promote and integrate the values of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within their institutions. As for RQEDI, its mission extends to other types of Quebec organizations.

RIQEDI aspires to ensure that EDI values are understood, integrated and promoted in all spheres of operation of Québec universities. The community of practice allows its members to :

  • to learn and collaborate;
  • share best practices;
  • discuss issues;
  • create synergies.

EDI 101

What is EDI?

To facilitate the understanding of the concepts of equity, diversity and inclusion, here are some definitions. They are taken from the training Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education and Research: What They Are and Why They Are Needed produced by the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (Quebec).

 

Equity refers to a feeling or perception of fairness with regard to a given situation. It refers to an approach to correcting historic disadvantages between groups. For example, UNESCO defines gender equity as follows: “Process of being fair to men and women. To ensure fairness, measures must often be put in place to compensate for the historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from operating on a level playing field. Equity is a mean. Equality is the result.”

 

Diversity refers to a group of individuals who differ in their identity; geographic, cultural or religious origin; age, sex, gender or sexual orientation; academic discipline; etc.

 

Inclusion means taking steps to establish an environment in which diversity is respected and all members of the community are fully integrated and supported in ways that promote their well-being and achievement. It means making a sustained commitment to welcome, integrate and support members of designated groups and help them advance.

WORKING GROUPS

Several working groups have been set up to work in collaboration with funding agencies, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) and community and research organizations on specific issues and themes.

People work in a collaborative and co-constructed manner on themes related to inclusive excellence, indigeneous realities, LGBTQIA2S+ realities, handicap realities, various student services, etc.

Special thanks

Thanks to the Institut de valorisation des données, pôle scientifique et économique (IVADO), the Chaire pour les femmes en sciences et génie (CFSG), the Chaire BMO diversité et gouvernance and the à l’Institut EDI2 (Équité, Diversité, Inclusion, Intersectionnalité), who have greatly contributed through their expertise to the development of the Network.