The Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity (OIDEO), in connection with the U.S. Department of State and in partnership with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, hosted a Citizen Exchange Circle Friday, Feb. 10 in the Mandel Center.
While in the city for the event, 12 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leaders from around the world connected and engaged with various Cleveland cultural, social, educational and governmental organizations—all while learning and sharing more about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
“The Citizen Exchange Circle is an example of the ways in which the university is providing opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to share experiences with peers from around the world. By bringing together DEI leaders from so many different countries, our community gained a deeper appreciation that racism and bias exists in multiple forms in many different societies,” said Vice Provost for International Affairs David Fleshler.
The collaboration also created a space for DEI leaders to share openly about their work.
“The cross-cultural conversations held at the event touched on DEI challenges, issues and burnout as well as successful programs and initiatives,” said Michael Bustamante, director of diversity and strategic initiatives for OIDEO.
Together with the university’s DEI leaders—including students, faculty and staff—and with support from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative, OIDEO hosted a roundtable discussion for these participants at Case Western Reserve University.
“It was a great opportunity to learn and exchange information from diversity leaders across the globe,” said Associate Vice President Heather Burton. “The most interesting takeaway was the exchange of lived expectations being similar [all over the world] based on race.”
Learn more about the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity and the work it does to promote equitable and fair treatment in employment, education and other aspects of campus life.