Diversity Abroad held its 10th annual Global Inclusion Conference this month, where participants had the opportunity to discuss and engage in matters related to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ).
The conference – which ran from Oct. 4-7 in San Francisco – had more than 470 registered participants and more than 70 sessions on topics ranging from racist histories of education abroad, staff and student wellness, global learning at home, inclusive international student support, and workplace inclusion and belonging.
“This year's Global Inclusion Conference was our first fully in-person conference since the pandemic started, which feels particularly important as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the conference,” Diversity Abroad Executive Director Dr. Lily Lopez-McGee said in an email. “While we had a component of the program that was on-site last year, the group was much more intimate. The excitement and energy people were feeling about being back in person, reconnecting with colleagues, and meeting new folks was palpable.
“There was also a clear commitment to learning and advancing DEI efforts by the folks who joined us in San Francisco. The concurrent session rooms were filled with folks eager to take strategies back to their home institutions and organizations, the plenaries included vibrant speakers who spoke candidly about the challenges to sustaining DEI efforts, and folks were eager to continue conversations long into the evening after the receptions and formal programming had ended.”
Global Inclusion’s organizers prompted attendees to inquire into themselves with a variety of questions. Such questions included: How can I ensure that anti-racism, equity, and inclusion justice aren't just trending words but the basis for meaningful action in my work? Who are the stakeholders I need to engage with to ensure my students are successful in their global education endeavors? What areas of DE&I am I less comfortable with?
“The conference offers a unique space for practitioners working at the intersection of global education and diversity, equity, and inclusion, to geek out on new frameworks for understanding the ecosystems in which we operate thanks to thought leaders like Deepa Iyer as well make meaningful connections with peers and colleagues across the globe,” Lopez-McGee said.
The event also recognized this year’s Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education Awards winners.
Next year’s conference will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, 2023.
