The OPSEU/SEFPO Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW) will be holding their second Racialized Worker’s Conference on Friday October 14 – Sunday October 16, 2022 at the Sheraton Centre Downtown, in Toronto.
Applications have now closed.
The theme of the conference, “Mobilization: Past, Present and Future,” speaks to the trials, tribulations and victories of the past, the resistance of today and the path forward for the work ahead. Using an anti-racist and intersectional lens, participants will examine the “post-pandemic” challenges confronting racialized workers during COVID-19, how racism intersects with other forms of oppression and how we can strengthen the labour movement for an equitable workplace and society.
The conference will also explore and discuss critical strategies that will advance OSPEU/SEFPO’s anti-racism work through sustainable and meaningful systemic change. The ongoing pandemic has created unprecedented human rights challenges and hate based discrimination particularly to a large diverse membership that identify as Black. These members, have been at the frontline during COVID-19 and continue to lead the province through recovery during this pandemic.
Topics for discussion will include:
- Mobilization and the critical issues confronting racialized people and communities
- Anti-Asian racism and confronting the hate during the pandemic
- Confronting anti-Black racism, systemic racism and dismantling colonialism through mobilizing
- Strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion approaches and anti-racism efforts in the workplace, locals and the union movement
Conference Format:
- Hybrid Conference. Applicants will have a choice to choose between “in-person” or “virtually”. All attendees must choose which preference they have.
- CoRW Conference will be in line with all existing and new health and safety guidelines in response to COVID-19 (ex. capacity limits, physical distancing, etc.) Subject to change without prior notice based on Province of Ontario mandates/restrictions.
Conference Dates/Times:
- Friday October 14, 2022 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM (registration begins at 4:00PM)
- Saturday October 15, 2022 9:00AM – 5:00PM; Evening Program 7:00PM – 9:00PM
- Sunday October 16, 2022 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM
On-site Childcare Dates/Times:
- Friday October 14, 2022 – 4:00PM – 9:30PM
- Saturday October 15, 2022 8:00AM – 4:30PM; Evening 6:30PM – 9:30PM
- Sunday October 16, 2022 from 8:00AM – 12:30PM
Conference Venue:
- Held at Sheraton Centre Downtown, Toronto (in-person option)
- Via Zoom (virtual option)
Space is limited and event participants will be selected by the selection committee with assistance from the Equity Unit. The selection process seeks to achieve a diverse group of attendees, representative of racialized and other equity groups within our membership.
Applications have now closed.
For any questions and/or additional requirements, please contact the Equity Unit directly at [email protected]
We look forward to meeting you at the Conference!
In solidarity,
OPSEU/SEFPO Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW)
Tentative Conference Agenda
Friday, October 14, 2022 – Day 1
4:00 to 7:00 PM – Registration (Dinner not provided)
4:30 to 5:00 PM – Smudging Ceremony – Led by Tina Stevens and Krista Maracle (TBC)
6:00 to 6:30 PM – Yoga and Meditation Session
7:00 to 7:15 PM – Conference Opens
- Land Acknowledgment and Statement of Respect
- Conference Logistics and Housekeeping
7:15 to 7:20 PM – Chair’s Welcome
- Peter Thompson
7:20 to 7:35 PM – Raging Asian Womxn Taiko Drummers (RAW)
7:35 to 7:45 PM – Meet the Coalition of Racialized Workers Committee
7:45 to 8:45 PM “Mobilization: Past, Present and Future” Panel
- Dr. Gaibrie Stephen
- Marie Clarke Walker
- Vanessa Ling Yu
8:45 to 8:55 PM – Performance TBC
8:55 to 9:00 PM – Wrap up, Adjournment of Day 1
4:00 to 9:30 PM – Childcare
Saturday, October 15, 2022 – Day 2
7:30 to 8:30 AM – Yoga and Meditation Session
8:00 to 9:00 AM – Registration re-opens (Breakfast not provided)
9:00 to 9:15 AM – Welcome Back! Recap from Day 1
Conference logistics and housekeeping
9:15 to 9:30 AM – Opening Remarks from OPSEU/SEFPO:
- Coleen Houlder, Region 5 Regional Vice President
- JP Hornick, President
- Laurie Nancekivell, First Vice-President/Treasurer
9:30 to 10:30 AM – Keynote Address:
- Rev. Terrance (Terry) L. Melvin, President
- Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU)
10:30 to 10:45 AM – Morning break (Refreshments provided)
- Wellness Session
10:45 to 12:00 PM Gardiner Protest and Mobilizing
- Presenter: (TBC)
12:00 to 1:30 PM LUNCH BREAK (Lunch not provided)
- Yoga Session (Lunch session 12:45 to 1:15PM)
1:30 to 2:45 PM Concurrent Education Sessions
2:45 to 3:00 PM AFTERNOON BREAK (Refreshments provided)
- Wellness Session
3:00 to 4:15 PM Breakout Sessions
4:15 to 4:30 PM Wrap -Up
4:30 to 7:00 PM Dinner Break (Dinner not provided)
7:00 to 9:00 PM Evening Program
8:00 to 4:30 PM Childcare
6:30 to 9:30 PM
Sunday, October 16, 2022 – Day 3
7:30 to 8:30 AM – Yoga and Meditation Session
9:00 to 9:10 AM – Welcome Back! Recap from Day 2
9:10 to 9:55 AM- Mental Health 101 for the Mobilizer Soul
- Presenter: Donna Alexander (TBC)
9:55 to 10:15 AM TBC
10:15 to 10:30 AM MORNING BREAK (Refreshments provided)
- Wellness Session
10:30 to 11:30 AM Session
- Presenter: (TBC)
11:30 to 11:45 AM Call to Action, Summary and Wrap Up
11:45 to 12:00 PM Conference Closing and Travelling Song
8:00 to 12:30 PM Childcare