February 4th, 2008
During the week of February 4 through 8, 2008, the Conference for Inclusive Communities, CFIC, formerly NCCJ of the Midlands, will sponsor Diversity and Equality Education Week (DEEW). This highly anticipated week is designed as an educational campaign to raise awareness of discrimination and inform students and teachers on social inequities, inspire proactive leadership and promote inclusion and respect in their schools and surrounding communities.
CFIC interns from Benson, Bryan, Burke, Central, Millard West, North and Westside high schools, who participate in the CFIC Service Learning Program, together with school principals, educators and members of various CFIC diversity/social justice clubs will implement a number of activities and presentations throughout the week.
Events include: ‘Bash Away Your Bias’ where students smash plates with oppressive words on them; a ’24-Hour Silent Interest’ that raises awareness of the many forms of discrimination (race, ability, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic, etc.); posters that educate others on local and global oppression and how they can be positive change agents; a Disability Lunch (students will be given different disabilities) to allow students a moment to reflect on the privileges they have of being an able bodied person; ‘Stomp Out Prejudice’ where balloons labeled with written hurtful stereotypes will be stomped on during lunch; and other interactive activities throughout the week. “Schools continue requesting more innovative programming from us, and DEEW is designed to be just that, an extension of our programming that has the potential of reaching every student in the school.” said Spencer Terry, CFIC Program Director.
Terry adds that, “In collaboration with the school principals, students and staff have been working together to create environments that foster the mission of Conference for Inclusive Communities: understanding, inclusion and respect.”
Linda Bomah-Wiafe, a Service Learning Intern said: “The curriculum of Conference for Inclusive Communities programs continues empowering youth and adults to become leaders in tomorrow’s diverse society. Although I’ve learned a lot as an intern, I was introduced to CFIC at one of their programs, IncluCity (formerly Anytown). It was a life-altering program for me, and I know I’ll use the skills learned at CFIC for the rest of my life.” IncluCity runs July 20-25, 2008 and applications are available at www.cficonline.org.
For a detailed schedule of all Diversity and Equality Education Week school activities and events, please call CFIC at 402.391.4460. Any additional information regarding CFIC’s work or programming may be found at www.cficonline.org.