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After drawing more than 250 participants from across Canada and around the world in 2024, Memorial University’s International Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) Conference is back by popular demand for a second year.

The conference will take place from May 22-23 at Memorial University’s Signal Hill Campus in St. John's.

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A dynamic lineup of speakers and sessions will highlight research, real-world progress, emerging strategies and examples of institutional leadership advancing equity and inclusion across sectors and communities.

“Last year’s conference exceeded all expectations — it sparked new partnerships, energized the community and proved there is a strong desire for advancing this work,” said Dr. Delores Mullings, vice-provost (equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism) at Memorial. “This year, we’re building on that energy to deliver a program that’s even more impactful. Our goal is to create a space where people can come together to learn from one another, highlight what’s working and inspire new approaches to advancing EDI-AR.” 

At the request of last year’s attendees, the conference is now a two-day event.

Sample session topics 

• Building inclusive municipal and workplace environments
• Advancing EDI-AR in STEM, health care and research
• Becoming an anti-racist researcher and true ally
• Supporting neurodiverse individuals in post-secondary education

Keynote and plenary speakers

• Carey Majid, executive director, Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission
• Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei, associate vice-president (Indigenous research), Memorial University
• Tanya Finlay, vice-president, people and culture, Fortis Inc.
• Senator Judy A. White and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard

Renewed importance in 2025

With equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism measures facing challenges worldwide — including American president Donald Trump actively dismantling progressive initiatives in the United States — Memorial University is reaffirming its commitment to these values by hosting the conference.

“We are watching in real time as some jurisdictions retreat from hard-won progress in equity and human rights,” said Dr. Mullings. “For many, this conference is a call to action. As others scale back, Memorial, and all other organizations in attendance this week, will be scaling up.”

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Media are invited to attend (fees waived), and Dr. Delores Mullings is available for interviews before, during and after the conference. . For more information, please contact Cherry Ralhan-Khanna at cralhankhanna@mun.ca.