IDEA Fundamentals - Great course!

During March and April of 2022, I was able to attend the five sessions that comprise CCDI Consulting's Antiracism Education Certificate program.

It was great to receive Canada-specific grounding on the topical components of this program. A good deal of terminology was clarified and more fully defined as they connect to the larger topic of anti-racism. These sessions illuminated the history of racism in the land now known as Canada and stopped us short from only looking at the more broadly known history of our U.S. neighbours.

One of many important discussions was on the intersection of racism and other identity dimensions. As well, the courses engaged us in small group discussion, self-reflection and focus on what we can do to set our organizations on an anti-racist path.

I completed the Foundations in IDEA Certificate, Anti-racism Education certificate, and the IDEA Influencer Certificate in 2022.

The instructors were knowledgeable and engaging; I had an exceptional experience sharing and learning with others in the programs. These certificates give you hands-on knowledge that you can use in your everyday life to advocate and advance EDI work.

I have learned so much over the last several months that I will actively use to engage with others.

I took the Foundations In IDEA Certificate Program. I found the information very useful, and it definitely applied to my role and the work I do everyday.

The presenters were very professional and a delight to deal with. I appreciated the breakout room activities, as it gave me a chance to work with a variety of people.

What I valued most was that the training helped me to think "outside the box", and look at things through a slightly different lens. I would take training from CCDI Consulting again.

Over the past year, I have participated in a number of learning programs through CCDI Consulting, including the IDEA Fundamentals Certificate program, the Anti-racism Certificate programs.

I have found the quality of the programs to be top-notch and the facilitators to be very knowledgeable. My own knowledge has increased substantially, and I look forward to participating in more CCDI Consulting programs in the future.

I completed the virtual IDEA Influencer Certificate program. I highly recommend this certificate program as it was an incredibly informative and engaging program. The facilitators were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

I also feel that CCDI Consulting is a leader in the Canadian DEI field and I frequently utilize their website and resources to expand my knowledge and expertise.

I took the open enrollment courses as personal learning (not through my company) for a number of reasons:

- current climate in Canada,

- trying to better understand things I thought I knew but really didn't,

- raising two young kids and wanting to help them navigate what they were seeing and hearing,

- and to help in my workplace.

The reflection that takes place through this coursework is worth it. I could see some of the discussed behaviours in myself, my friends, my family, my colleagues, etc. and was able to correct things immediately.

I better understood what happened when someone called me 'out' or called me 'in' what was happening and could reflect and acknowledge my errors quickly. I also developed a new respect for the effort it takes to say something when you're not in a position of privilege. It is not easy.

These courses helped my scholarly understanding immensely, and I'm on the path to being a better listener and contributor in all aspects of my life. The active work is never-ending, and I work hard at it every day.