TORONTO, January 26, 2017 – 91ÑÇÉ« is hosting a symposium to explore the relationship between post-secondary educational institutions and Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, January 27. The event, which will also discuss Canada’s Syrian refugee resettlement efforts, marks 91ÑÇɫ’s eighth annual Inclusion Day celebrations.

President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri will welcome the participants to the daylong event, and Osgoode Hall Law School Dean Lorne Sossin will also speak.

The program for the day includes:

• Arif Virani, MP Parkdale-High Park and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship will address participants on the triumphs and challenges of the Syrian Refugee Resettlement project;
• Reflecting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report, released a year ago, on the institutionalization of Indigenous/Aboriginal children in residential schools;
• Keynote by Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Lakehead University and the first Chair of Truth and Reconciliation at a Canadian university, and the former Vice-Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives at Lakehead;
• A panel discussion with Professor Deborah McGregor, Osgoode Hall Law School, Randy Pitawanakwat of 91ÑÇɫ’s Centre for Aboriginal Student Services, and Karissa John, president of the Aboriginal Students Association at 91ÑÇÉ« U.

What: Inclusion Day 2017: Canada & Human Rights @150 years
When: Friday, January 26, 2017, 9am-3pm
Where: 940N Ross Building, Senate Chamber Room, 91ÑÇÉ« Keele Campus, Toronto (building number 28 on the )

For complete event info, visit:

is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91ÑÇÉ« students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91ÑÇÉ« U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91ÑÇÉ« is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni.91ÑÇÉ« U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media contact:
Gloria Suhasini, Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22094, suhasini@yorku.ca

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Last week, members of the 91ÑÇÉ« community received my message onÌý in which I reaffirmed our core values of inclusivity, diversity and respect, as well as our commitment to free expression.

Since that time, much attention has been focused on concerns over the mural hanging in the 91ÑÇÉ« Student Centre. It is clear that the subject of the artwork is offensive to some individuals and groups, particularly Jewish members of our community. The University understands and respects these concerns. Given that decisions with respect to the mural’s continued display are the responsibility of the governing body responsible for the Student Centre, which is a separate and distinct legal entity from the University, we sincerely hope that they will address the concerns which have been expressed.

91ÑÇÉ« remains firmly committed to the values of freedom of expression, open dialogue and constructive discussion. We look forward to continuing the important dialogue around inclusion that has emerged.

The mural has given rise to a broader conversation about whether as an institution and as individuals we are doing all we can to ensure that all members of our community feel welcome and supported. While the programs, workshops and training we have put in place have been instrumental in setting the stage for a welcoming, inclusive and safe learning environment, there is still work to be done to fully achieve the inclusive environment we desire.

We must do everything we can to ensure that all of our students feel comfortable and safe on campus. We need to work together to strengthen our community by creating a culture of sensitivity to the diversity of our community members. This requires a commitment from each of us to demonstrate civility and respect for the dignity of others.

I want to share with you three of the actions we are taking to support this commitment to inclusion:

1. We will form a President’s Advisory Committee on Inclusion composed of 91ÑÇÉ« scholars to lead us in examining effective methods to ensure inclusive, respectful exchanges of ideas, particularly on sensitive social and political issues that can otherwise lead to racial marginalization. A call for participation will be issued by March 1, 2016.​
2. We will undertake a review of existing University policies and will make changes necessary to better foster and protect an inclusive and positive learning environment. This will include review of Presidential Regulation #4 regarding student groups and organizations as well as the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Our aim is for the review to be completed by the end of 2016.
3. We will continue to work with internal and external partners to ensure 91ÑÇÉ« is a leader in promoting inclusion and a positive learning environment.

As we take these additional steps we will hold firm to our position that the University does not support academic boycotts. We value our partnerships with international universities and will continue to pursue partnerships with other academic institutions that align with 91ÑÇɫ’s principles and values—and we will not tolerate actions and behaviors that are contrary to our values.

Mamdouh Shoukri
President and Vice-Chancellor

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