Interconnections of World Religions

Religion is often left out of DEI conversations. And yet our religious, spiritual or secular identities can be core to who we are, how we navigate the world, and how we form connections. It often intersects with other dimensions of diversity adding to the levels of nuance and complexity to DEI discussions and initiatives.    Religious literacy can help us to better understand our friends and colleagues, our neighbours, and even the evening news. It allows us to foster more authentic relationships, avoid microaggressions or missteps, and give us the knowledge to create welcoming spaces for all. Understanding that there is diversity within religious groups opens space to go beyond the concept of a single story to find ways to connect.    

Outline/Agenda In this session we will discuss: 

• The Western Lens, a Canadian cultural lens that distorts our understanding of many ethno-religious communities. 

• The Three Converging Forces that make religious literacy critical in Canada, even more so than in the USA or UK. 

• Steps we can take to increase our religious literacy and to foster more welcoming workplaces and communities.   

Learning objectives  

Through the program participants will:  

• Learn about the importance of religious literacy in the workplace and in our communities. 

• Understand why our cultural norms prevent us from having meaningful conversations around religions and learn how to overcome these obstacles. 

• Develop knowledge and skills to create authentic and supportive relationships.  

• Gain tools for having religiously sensitive conversations and avoiding microaggressions. 

• Learn ways you can contribute to creating a religiously inclusive environment.