The City of Grande Prairie is welcoming Irfan Chaudry from MacEwan University for his presentation Anti-Social Media: Understanding Racism in an Online World to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The presentation examines the “climate of hate” being experienced on local and global levels, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Using current examples, this interactive presentation encourages participants to think about the contributing factors which may lead some citizens to express racist, xenophobic, and discriminatory views in both the online and offline realms and what we can collectively do to address race-based hate.

Following the presentation, a discussion and Q&A period is available.

“We are pleased to welcome Irfan back to Grande Prairie, and encourage all members of the community to join in this meaningful discussion. Addressing and eliminating racism is critical for supporting an inclusive, caring community that supports multiculturalism and is welcoming for everyone,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton.
 

About the Event

The event aims to support attendees in:

  • Exploring the concepts of race, racism, and anti-racism
  • Gaining a broader awareness of how racism manifests itself
  • Understanding shifts on social media platforms to counter race-based (as well as other forms) of hate
  • Feeling comfortable and empowered in “being anti-racist”

The event takes place Tuesday, March 21 from 11- 1:30 p.m. at the Grande Prairie Museum (10329 101 Ave.). It is free to attend and open to all residents. Light refreshments are being provided.

Limited seating is available so people interested in attending are encouraged to register to attend at the event listing at cityofgp.com/events.

Full details available at cityofgp.com/events.

About the Speaker

Irfan Chaudhry has been working in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) since 2011. He currently works as Director, of the Office of Human Rights, Diversity, and Equity at MacEwan University and in this capacity, he leads the development of human rights, diversity, and equity initiatives within the institution. He has held numerous roles within the EDI space including project leadership positions with the City of Edmonton’s Racism Free Edmonton project and the Edmonton Local Immigration Partnership; advisory positions with the Edmonton Police Service Chief of Police Diversity Recruitment Committee and Chief of Police Community Advisory Committee; the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, as well as committee roles with Public Safety Canada’s Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence. Chaudhry has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s in criminal justice from the University of Alberta.

Background

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) was declared by the United Nations in 1966 to encourage people worldwide to continue to make strides to eliminate racial discrimination of all forms. The City of Grande Prairie has been recognizing IDERD since 2017.

 

The event is brought to you by the City of Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Local Immigration Partnership and Immigrant Advisory Table and the Grande Prairie Youth Advisory Council. Learn more at cityofgp.com/GPLIP or cityofgp.com/yac.

Information provided by the City of Grande Prairie