AVC reaffirms commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
In view of the recent racially motivated tragic events in Canada and the United States, faculty and staff at the Atlantic Veterinary College have been examining our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2019, with the input of students, staff, and faculty, we developed the AVC Diversity Statement to outline the principles we are committed to achieve in all that we do. The statement was installed in a prominent place in the AVC foyer to remind us every day of that commitment.
AVC DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The Atlantic Veterinary College is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strives to reflect these in all facets of our education, research, and service missions.
We seek to respect, nurture, and advance all members of our community, including students, faculty, staff, and clients, regardless of race, aboriginality, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, age, religious affiliation, ability or disability, and any other aspects of one’s individual identity.
By intentionally fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the communities we both serve and lead, we will be best positioned to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and beyond.
We recognize that there is systemic racism in our country, profession, and institutions. Like our home institution (UPEI), our affiliation of veterinary colleges (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges—AAVMC) and our national professional associations (CVMA and AVMA), AVC is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
At this time, we affirm that AVC believes that Black Lives Matter, and in the role we must play to rebuild Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. The AVC supports the calls to action coming from the Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) community to address the injustices they endure. We commit to continuing to listen, asking ourselves hard questions, and challenging ourselves to do better. As an organization, we are committed to action over rhetoric. We will continue to work with the BIPOC community, local and national veterinary medical associations, and the AAVMC to address underrepresentation and discrimination within our profession. One recent example is the outreach program AVC has developed with the Indigenous community to promote veterinary medicine and STEM among Indigenous youth.
There is much to be done. We invite input from all our stakeholders—current and former faculty, staff and students, education and veterinary partners, and the broad community of AVC friends and supporters—with good ideas to advance representation of and respect for the contributions of BIPOC individuals within our college and profession.
