Committee on Equity Diversity and Inclusion (COEDI)

With sub-groups:  Mediation Team and Indigenous Relationships Learning Circle

GVAT values equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). COEDI helps GVAT understand these values, integrate them into all its work and live these values.

Definitions:

                     Equity- the quality of being fair and impartial or just. It recognizes that we do not start at the same place and must acknowledge and adjust imbalances and remove barriers.

                     Diversity- the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social, economic, abilities, ages, religions, beliefs and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, or self identities.

                     Inclusivity- the practice or policy to ensure equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, so that everyone feels welcome, valued and respected, no matter who they are or where they come from.

 Indigenous Relationships Learning Circle (IRLC)

The IRLC seeks to ensure that:

  • Indigenous individuals who volunteer with GVAT are respected and valued, and can participate fully and comfortably;

  • GVAT builds reciprocal respectful relationships with Indigenous organizations and works with them in a good way that benefits the Indigenous organizations; 

  • GVAT consistently acts on its commitment to apply a reconciliation lens to all its work.

Via representatives from IRLC, GVAT participates in Victoria Urban Reconciliation Dialogues.  https://thedialoguevictoria.ca/ 

Check out this blog for more information on IRLC:  https://www.gvat.ca/blog/the-indigenous-relationships-learning-circle-irlc

Mediation Team

The Mediation Team’s purpose is to support the growth of equity, diversity and inclusion by encouraging respectful mutual listening within GVAT groups, encouraging mutual respect and dialogue, and working on ways of resolving conflicts that do take place.