Following the success of its December 2024 debut, OLIP’s equity training returned this past April to meet surging demand from the local sector. These latest sessions—centered on Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, and Equity Progress Monitoring—empowered leaders from across Ottawa to turn their commitment to systemic change into measurable action.
Shifting Culture Through Practical Action
The Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression training held April 9–10 in both English and French, engaged leaders from more than 20 Ottawa organizations. Unlike standard workshops, this interactive program was tailored for senior management and service providers, focusing on the practical application of equity principles to organizational policy and daily practice.
For many participants, the training provided a necessary moment of reflection. Donna Gray, a Community Developer at Somerset West Community Health Centre, highlighted the workshop’s depth:
“The training gave me more compassion and insight into what people are experiencing, even in the work I do every day in the community,” Gray noted, praising the clear definitions provided for complex systemic issues.
Mariama Diallo of Carling Community Health Centre added that the training was pivotal in helping her distinguish between individual, institutional, and systemic racism. By exploring the nuances of privilege and unconscious bias, Diallo felt better equipped to recognize and address barriers within her own professional environment.
Measuring Impact: The Progress Monitoring Tool
On April 24, the focus shifted to accountability. Representatives from 16 organizations gathered to be introduced to the Equity Progress Monitoring Tool, a framework designed to help institutions track their advancement in equity goals.
The session served as a collaborative hub where partners shared best practices and tackled the common challenges of implementing institutional change. One participant remarked: “I’ve deeply appreciated the knowledge and experience of the members around the table. The Progress Monitoring Tool will be a valuable resource in this important work.”
For Tadiwa Muradzikwa, Director of People, Culture, and Belonging at Youth Services Bureau, the sessions offered a roadmap for future policy development. Having attended both trainings, Muradzikwa plans to apply a “systems thinking” approach to his leadership.
“My takeaway is to look at our policies and our practices through a new lens,” Muradzikwa explained. “How do I ensure that when I am developing a policy, I am adopting a lens that takes into account oppression and anti-racism?”
Join the Equity Ottawa Partnership
These specialized trainings are part of a broader effort to synchronize equity work across all sectors in ottawa. While these sessions are currently exclusive to Equity Ottawa partners, the network continues to grow.
Organizations interested in becoming a member and contributing to this city-wide mandate are encouraged to reach out. For more information, please contact Equity Ottawa Lead, Yusra Osman at yusra@olip-plio.ca.
