Turku University of Applied Sciences participates in the work against racism
Turku UAS participates in the I Am Antiracist campaign by the Ministry of Justice and the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. The idea behind the campaign is that every individual and organization can carry out anti-racism in their own everyday activities and lives. Turku UAS supports actions against racism with its activities.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination took place on 21 March and the week against racism on 21–27 March 2022. Through its plan on equality and non-discrimination, Turku UAS is committed to act in a way which promotes equality and prevents discrimination.
“This is shown both as a principle in the equality plan and in actions in practice, and now also in the participation in the I Am Antiracist campaign carried out by the Ministry of Justice and the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman”, Senior Lecturer Tiina Hirard and translator Elli Sillanpää say.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage everyone to take tangible, anti-racist actions on behalf of equality and human rights.
“Antiracism refers to acting consciously against all forms of racism: it means standing up against racist acts, for example”, Sillanpää explains.
Actions against racism at Turku UAS: information and training
During the campaign at Turku UAS, the work against racism has meant increasing awareness of equality and the issues which have an impact on it throughout the higher education community.
For the first time, an equality survey was carried out for the students and staff, and it also took ethnic and linguistic equality into account. The survey results are currently being analyzed and based on them, the necessary actions will be taken.
Linguistic equality has already been promoted e.g., by investing in the bilingual new intranet Messi (Finnish and English).
In addition, work on a MOOC is underway. The aim of the MOOC is to promote awareness of multicultural issues and equality in work communities. The course will be first piloted with the staff and later it will be opened for the students and in the course supply of Open Studies also for anyone interested outside Turku UAS.
As the third action, the staff of Turku UAS is offered the opportunity to participate in MOK Intercultural Competence Training provided by HNMKY. Specialists who work in various positions and in the different teaching faculties will participate in the training which is tailored for Turku UAS. The multicultural competence accumulated by the participants will be disseminated to the entire staff after the training.
Everyone can take actions against racism
In addition to organizations, individuals also can carry out actions against racism in their everyday lives. Everyone can stand up against racism with both words and actions: by listening, by increasing their own understanding about racism and the extent of the phenomenon, and by tackling racist behaviour and discrimination.
Get to know tangible experiences on everyday actions against racism on the campaign website . What could be your own anti-racist act? Small acts are also needed, and every one of us is responsible for implementing equality in our everyday lives.
Read more: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination