City of Richmond Diversity Symposium: Finding Common Ground

The City of Richmond Diversity Symposium is a free conference for professionals, volunteers, and community members interested in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their communities. Since 2015, the Symposium has been attended by participants from municipal departments, not-for-profit groups, social service organizations, private sector organizations, and academic institutions.

The theme for this year's event is Finding Common Ground: Building Shared Understanding for Inclusion, as we invite speakers and participants to reflect on how we can reinforce and sustain equity and inclusion efforts through meaningful dialogue and collective action.

Keynote Presentation: The Mosaic of Us: Everyday EDI in Action to Build Communities Where Everyone Belongs

In a time when equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts are increasingly questioned or dismissed, how do we reclaim the deeper purpose behind this work? In this opening keynote, Shelley-Anne Vidal invites us to reflect on the shared values, lived experiences, and community roots that continue to make EDI efforts essential. Drawing from her background in higher education, employment services, and intercultural facilitation, Shelley-Anne offers a grounded and hopeful message: that EDI is not a passing trend, but a vital and enduring commitment to belonging, justice, and collective well-being in both our workplaces and communities.

Speaker: Shelley-Anne Vidal, EDI Coach and Educator

Panel Discussion: Building our Legacies: Fostering Intergenerational and Intercultural Understanding

Community leaders from different generations and cultural backgrounds will come together to share stories, initiatives, and best practices that advance social equity. Panelists will explore how diversity, equity and inclusion have evolved over time, and the role of shared understanding and reciprocal learning in shaping more equitable futures. Through open dialogue, they will highlight the power of connection across cultures and generations to strengthen community bonds. This conversation invites participants to reflect on the legacies we are building today for the benefit of future generations.

Speakers: Kiyoko Judy Hanazawa (Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens' Association), Naaz Sidhu (Richmond Multicultural Community Services), Hala Kapani (United Way British Columbia)

Concurrent Workshops

Centering Lived Experiences in Program Planning

How can art foster spaces of deeper inclusion and belonging? This is one of the questions guiding Queers in Space, a collaborative art project offered for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Richmond. This session will explore strategies for centering lived experiences in program planning, highlighting how community collaboration and participant-centered planning can create safer, inclusive spaces. Presenters will share insights from the ongoing development of Queers in Space and offer practical takeaways for organizations seeking to design programs with participant well-being in mind.

Speakers: Rajiv Ashrafi (Richmond Public Library), Em Lee (East Richmond Community Association), Cheryl Hamilton (Artist), lisa g (Artist)

Engaging Newcomers in Truth and Reconciliation

Building meaningful relationships between Indigenous peoples and newcomers is a key element to advancing Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This workshop will explore how the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA) has engaged newcomers in conversations about decolonization, Indigenous history, and reconciliation in ways that are relational, respectful, and impactful. Participants will gain insights into how Indigenous and newcomer communities can work together to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts, and leave inspired to build connections that honour the truths of the past while shaping a more inclusive future.

Speakers: Winnie Chironga (AMSSA), Norm Leech (AMSSA)

Inclusion, Belonging and Public Health

Belonging is more than just a feeling. It is a vital determinant of health and a cornerstone of thriving communities. Social isolation and exclusion not only harm mental and physical health but also erode the trust and cohesion that hold communities together. This workshop will explore the intersection of equity, belonging and public health, including insights on the impacts of social exclusion, the health benefits of fostering inclusion, and opportunities to build stronger, more connected communities. Participants will learn approaches to integrate belonging as a driver of community well-being.

Speaker: Dr. Kiffer G Card, Simon Fraser University

If you require accommodations such as accessible seating, ASL interpretation, or have other access needs we should be aware of, please indicate this in your registration and we will do our best to accommodate your request. For inquiries about accessibility, please contact Peggy Chen, Planner 2 (Inclusion), at [email protected] or 604-276-4104.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, Canada