Student Initiative: The Inclusivity Club

Student Initiative: The Inclusivity Club Our recent International Day celebrated the vast diversity we are fortunate to have at BIS Abu Dhabi, with students making up over 90 nationalities. Year 11 students Taabeer and Dania felt it was important for everyone in the community to always feel included, and as such have launched a new initiative called The Inclusivity Club. Our recent International Day celebrated the vast diversity we are fortunate to have at BIS Abu Dhabi, with students making up over 90 nationalities. Year 11 students Taabeer and Dania felt it was important for everyone in the community to always feel included, and as such have launched a new initiative called The Inclusivity Club. Read their article below about how The Inclusivity Club came about, their plans for the club and how your child can get involved.

Our school is a melting pot of different cultures, with people of many different backgrounds, nationalities, and races. Our diversity allows for different perspectives to be formed and for each person to contribute to the school community in a unique way. Diversity, however, must coexist with inclusivity. It is important for everyone to always feel included within our school community.  For that fundamental reason, we have launched a new initiative, with the support of Mrs. Trowbridge, Mrs. Bidawi & Mrs. Harvey:  The Inclusivity Club. 

The Inclusivity Club is all about celebrating differences and empowering us to recognise that each one of us is unique, and that’s okay!  

Our goal is “To create unity and foster a space where people feel safe to share their experiences and come together”.  Within the club, we want to take concrete steps that address issues like race and racism.  We want to address the impact on many people’s lives, and society’s responsibility to become more than just ‘colour blind’.  During our meetings, we discuss diverse books, make toolkits for diverse books, and are currently looking into what else we can do within PSME and school to bring about real change.  Our first step is to get the conversation started, even though they are topics that can be perceived as taboo.  Everyone’s perspectives and opinions are valued, so we encourage students of all backgrounds to join “The Inclusivity Club” and work towards a more inclusive community. 

Prejudice isn’t a problem that can be solved singlehandedly.  It is complex and multidimensional, but by bringing in a change within ourselves first, we can then work together in changing the complex ways race affects our society.  

It is important to realise the significance of race in our daily lives and how it may negatively impact the lives of minorities. To understand how important it is to take initiative in standing up for change.  We need to tackle our unconscious biases, evaluate our own microaggressions and work towards a community that understands the impact of race.  Encouragingly though, change doesn’t have to take place on a large scale - it can just be as simple as bringing in a change within yourself and possibly your close friends/family.  By recognising what stereotypes, bias, or prejudice you/they might hold and attempting to change them.   If everyone could do that, it would be a huge step forward.  

 

For more information or to receive the Microsoft form link mentioned above, please email Ms. Trowbridge by clicking here.

Taabeer and Dania, Year 11 students