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What is the Ignition Program:
The Ignition Program offers post-secondary students a 10-week program that gives access to training, mentorship, resources, ecosystem connections; and honorariums to support personal and business development. Students will be awarded $10 for each session they engage with!
What’s in this session:
This session provides a brief introduction to the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in culturally diverse workplaces. In this session participants will learn about common cultural differences, gain related research, hear stories and examples of how this looks "in the real world," and reflect on their own cultural perspectives and experiences. This "soft" skill should not be under-estimated! Without a knowledge of what is both respectful and effective when working across cultures, we run a real risk of not being able to do our jobs well and/or not being recognized for our best work. Come learn with someone who has explored this topic around the world for almost 30 years!
Speaker's Bio:
Willow J. Anderson (she/her) is a white settler of English, Scottish, German, and Dutch ancestry. She has an M.A. in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford (England) and a PhD from the University of New Mexico. Her dissertation focussed on the cultural adaptation experiences of immigrants to the rural parts of the island of Newfoundland.
Willow is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Social Fabric Institute which is a Halifax-based company that helps teams understand the current state of equity, diversity, and inclusion in their organizations, what needs their attention, and the related solutions. Among other services, she has developed and delivered intercultural communication- or diversity-focused training and facilitation for nearly 1000 people in numerous sectors and formats, across the country. She is also a published author and has written book chapters, academic journal articles, and a dissertation. She’s been bringing these skills into organizations through her business for ten years.
Finally, in her spare time, Willow coaches a group of white-bodied leaders in a community of practice which explores how racism and colonialism can show up in our workplaces and in ourselves – and how to foster positive change in both. She lives with her family in Halifax and is honoured to be able to live and work in, and learn from, Mi’kma’ki.
Zoom link will be provided after registration to the Ignition Program
