Inclusive Community Programs

The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities and Workplaces Program operates five unique programs: the annual Diversity Dialogue Conference, our Diversity Assessment Service, Richmond in 3D interactive theatre, the Diversity Education Series, and the Intercultural Flashmob Dance project.

Diversity Dialogue Conference

In March 2010, RMCS hosted Richmond’s first-ever Diversity Dialogue conference, bringing more than 150 community-members together to answer one question: How do we create a Richmond where we all feel we belong?

The conference, hosted by our community partners at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, included workshops led by representatives from the CBC, Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Out in Schools.

The conference was such a success that we’re planning to do it again – check out the page for the 2011 event for more information.

Diversity Assessment Service

Richmond is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities. Skilled professionals come from all over the world to live and work here. Does your organization have a plan to recruit and retain a talented workforce? Does your business have the resources to examine policies and procedures to ensure cross-cultural understanding in your work team?

We can help you build a more welcoming and inclusive workplace.

RMCS offers a Diversity Assessment Service, which pairs local businesses, non-profit organizations or groups with an RMCS Diversity Facilitator. Our Diversity Facilitators work with you to review your organization’s human resources and operations policies, and conduct staff surveys. We celebrate your organization’s successes, and work together on areas that could be improved. Diversity Assessments can be tailored to any organization’s needs or budget.

To learn more about our Diversity Assessment Service, please contact us today.

Richmond in 3D

Richmond in 3D uses innovative forms of engagement to support community-based dialogue and action on diversity, anti-racism and immigrant settlement issues of concern to Richmond residents.

The project involves Richmond’s high schools, community groups, service organizations and workplaces, engaging a broad diversity of ages, cultures, faiths, and more.

Richmond in 3D workshops and events are tailored to meet the needs of the participants; a playback theatre experience and small group dialogue form the foundation. Participants share life experiences and expertise in safe, respectful and creative ways, building such skills as deep listening, open communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Participants build mutual trust, gain insights on their challenges and breakthroughs, identify goals of importance to them, and explore effective actions to achieve their goals. In this way, Richmond in 3D workshops and events foster leadership and the creation of harmonious multicultural communities, schools and workplaces.

Richmond in 3D is dedicated to creating positive, sustainable social change. One way it is achieving this is by leading the creation of a Richmond Playback Theatre troupe. Members will be drawn from Richmond residents and reflect their diversity. Richmond Playback Theatre will carry forward and facilitate the community-building work started by the 3D project and other initiatives.

For more information about Richmond in 3D, or to book your workshop, contact us today.

Diversity Education Series

In business today, it’s all about the ROI: the Return on Inclusion.

RMCS’ Diversity Education Series is a set of workshops that deal with diversity and cross-cultural issues in the workplace. Led by RMCS Diversity Facilitators, current workshop offerings include:

Diversity Basics: An interactive workshop designed to introduce diversity basics and to create a better understanding of diversity issues is the workplace.
Recruiting for Diversity: A workshop designed to help employers effectively recruit qualified, diverse candidates and develop strategies to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution: Building on a basic knowledge of conflict resolution, this workshop is designed to strengthen skills and encourage participants to be more comfortable in addressing cross cultural conflicts in the workplace.
White Privilege: This workshop is designed to introduce and examine the race theory of White Privilege and offer participants a safe forum to explore how it effects daily interaction in our lives.

To learn more about our Diversity Education Series, please contact us today.

Intercultural Flashmob Dance

Shhhhh! It’s a secret. We’re hosting our very own FLASHMOB!

What’s a Flashmob? This is a flashmob.

In 2011, RMCS is producing a flashmob with a multicultural twist: participants are going to learn dance styles from around the world, and engage in dialogue and intercultural exchange. We think that by learning about each other’s cultural practices (like dance), we can make Richmond a more welcoming and inclusive place.

Want to join in the fun? We’re looking for people to dance with us. No experience is necessary, just a desire to meet new people and learn about dance styles from around the world. You can read more about the Intercultural Flashmob Dance in The Richmond Review.

Get involved! To learn more, or to volunteer, please contact us today.