Committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization and Accessible Learning

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) is committed to cultivating equitable, diverse, inclusive, decolonized and accessible learning environments, to create a space where all students, staff and faculty can thrive.

This requires that principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization (EDI-D) be at the foundational core of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our commitment begins with acknowledging persistent issues related to systemic inequities, oppression and racism prevalent within university structures.

The collective efforts launched by our faculty aim to support, educate, and bring members of our FHS community together to facilitate understanding, address discrimination and harm, influence and advance systemic changes towards making Western University a more equitable and safer place.

As educators of healthcare professionals and future leaders in health services, it is vital that we adopt an approach of equity, diversity and inclusivity, with a significant focus on equity-oriented health care, cultural safety, trauma- and violence-informed approaches, harm reduction, social justice, decolonization, global solidarity, anti-racism and transformative learning.

Our Promise to the FHS Community

We are beginning the work to make our spaces, services and teaching more inclusive and equitable.

We are committed to ensuring we are not putting the onus of change on marginalized groups; it is everyone’s responsibility to tackle systemic issues, especially those with more privilege.

We are listening, we are learning, and we endeavour to do better.

We recognize the need for action, the need for transparency, and will take on the responsibility to hold ourselves accountable to this work.

Taking Action

In 2020, we formalized our commitment to EDI-D initiatives with the introduction of two committees (Anti-Racism Task Force and Indigenous Committee) within the faculty to support our collective learning and action. As we learn, this work evolves, and we will increase our support for other equity deserving groups in the future. All of the work being done in support of our EDI-D intiatives, both existing and in the future, will include representation from current students, alumni, staff and faculty. See the links below to learn more about our ongoing work and our commitment to shaping Western's future.

The work being done now, and in the future, is intended to bring members of FHS together to facilitate understanding; support the faculty's commitment to address systemic barriers to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization; create inclusive initiatives and programming; and advise students, staff, faculty members and leadership. The work we do will be a catalyst for positive change across our faculty: this change is rooted in transformative learning, informed by lived experience and personal insight and inspired by the biggest challenges identified in collaboration with our students, staff and faculty.