The goal of the Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity is to work towards a just society through the elimination of racial discrimination and stereotyping in a way which is collaborative and promotes both societal harmony and acceptance.
The Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity (CCCED) is an organization dedicated to enabling leaders, practitioners and citizens to be more effective in their diversity work. CCCED delivers a range of diversity development services to individuals and organizations including:
- networking
- partnership building
- training
- resource library of best practices
- advocacy support
- events
- community dialogue
CCCED’s approach is based on an integrated and grounded approach to diversity that focuses exclusively on concerns of race and culture. Its work is supported by its deep networks with people from diverse cultures living in Calgary and the years of experience of its professional staff.
CCCED is a registered charitable society.
Our objectives are:
- To promote racial equality through collaboration with government and other non-governmental organizations engaged in fostering racial harmony and in eliminating racial discrimination.
- To actively engage in research, public awareness enhancement, civic engagement and education in order to promote cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation of diversity.
- To establish, maintain and deliver programs that promote systemic change throughout Canadian society—in government, media, civil society, boardrooms and schools—in order to bring about an end to racist and discriminatory practices.
- To facilitate the promotion of positive and effective race relations and cultural diversity practices by assisting community, municipal and provincial programs through active participation, provision of resource materials, collaborations and partnerships.
- To strive for a time in Canada when an organization such as CCCED is no longer needed—a time when cultural diversity, religious and ethnic differences, diverse practices and traditions are fully accepted as part of the fabric of Canadian society.
Background to CCCED
The roots of CCCED go back to 1992 when representatives from 26 organizations in Calgary established the Calgary Committee on Race Relations and Cross-Cultural Understanding (CCRRCCU). CCRRCCU was formed as an umbrella group to leverage the benefits of having individuals and organizations work together on common initiatives.
Since its inception, the CCRRCCU had a major impact in Calgary on increasing understanding and action regarding racism, particularly with the media and youth. CCRRCCU also engaged a wide range of leaders from community, public sector and business organizations in diversity work in their own organizations.
In 2005, a strategic review of the CCRRCCU found that the needs and issues regarding anti-racism and diversity work in Calgary had changed. The response was to evolve a new organization and mandate out of the CCRRCCU’s existing work that would be better suited to current challenges. An implementation task force was struck to carry out preparatory work to transform the CCRRCCU into a new organization — the Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity (CCCED).
What will be new about CCCED?
CCCED will be a formally constituted, membership based charitable society. Its focus will be on building the capacity of its members to be more effective diversity champions in Calgary and nationally. A broad base of members will be recruited from across the different sectors in Calgary. A special focus will be given to assisting mainstream business organizations in becoming more successful in incorporating effective diversity practices.
Contact Us:
Executive Director: Vilma A. Dawson
RPO CROWFOOT; PO BOX 68239
Calgary Alberta T3G 3N8
Canada
Please click here to email Executive Director Vilma Dawson
Fax: +1.403.283.2541
Contact Vilma Dawson to inquire about membership in CCCED.