Students are reluctant to engage in diversity efforts. How can you cultivate allyship among them?

We need to promote a culture of diversity. I do not personally find tangible evidence that Higher Education Institutions are doing well in that regard. Are we truly diverse in terms of equal rights and obligations? I do not see that happening even in the internal structures of higher education institutions. Let us start by being a good role model. That is, to lead by example and foster a truly inclusive environment where all members of the community feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. This internal transformation is essential for higher education institutions to serve as credible role models for promoting diversity and equity in society at large

The reluctance might be based on a lack of clarity if what diversity because there is so much misinformation about it. As others have mentioned, students need to feel safe in venturing into unfamiliar spaces, so establishing trust and reaffirming their identity and value can create that safe space.

You'd have to start by giving students real freedom to think critically about "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion." That means conservative students must have the same permission to speak freely (and without being targets of innuendo and abuse) as progressive students. And that in turn requires some self-critical thinking by advocates of DEI.

Promover ações para um ambiente inclusivo é fundamental para inspirar e construir vínculos e relações de confiança com os estudantes. Workshops, palestras, currículo inclusivo que aborde os temas transversais de diversidade e inclusão, oferta de espaços seguros onde os estudantes possam se expressar sem medo de retaliação ou julgamentos, programas de liderança estudantil, projetos de voluntariado e muitas outras estratégias podem contribuir para construção de uma cultura de confiança e aliança entre os estudantes.

Considering the cancel culture that exists currently - our youth can often find themselves in a catch 22 - where their believes and values lean one way while trying to navigate the young adult years and trying to fit it. First and foremost our students need to build trust with and among each other - through cultivating meaningful relationships and getting to now peers. When a bond exists between a person of a different background and experience - we can relate and understand their perspective better, helping us individually build trust. Open dialogue and conversation is key - from a place of curious wondering which in turn creates a safe space. Judgement must be left at the door and inside patience and understanding must be invited in.

Create Community forums to allow the space for students to express themselves and their thought process. Young people are integral to society and the future. They know what the world looks like, and what they would like it to look like. With intention comes great success and innovation. Invite students, involve them and create. Diversity and Inclusion is how the world looks, is perceived, and can be. We need to remove our biases as educators and strengthen the bonds between us and them. Someone believed in me and saw something in me, I choose to believe in others, especially the underdogs. With the right resources, anyone can achieve.

The first step is to set ground rules. For example, everyone must be respectful, everyone's feelings are valid, and it's okay to make mistakes. Encourage questions and open dialogue to ensure these topics are learning opportunities that broaden perspectives. Next, find common ground! This foundation allows students to celebrate the richness of diverse groups and identities within our communities. Sharing foods, holidays, and artistic expressions are great ways to do this. Finally, create spaces where diverse perspectives can come together. This could involve discussions on social justice issues, environmental concerns, or any topic where different viewpoints can be explored through active listening and respectful dialogue.

I completely agree. Education indeed plays a crucial role in fostering allyship. It's essential to create a curriculum that includes diverse perspectives and experiences, not just in history and social studies but across all subjects. Incorporating literature, case studies, and examples from various cultures and communities can help students see the world through different lenses. Additionally, schools should facilitate safe spaces for open dialogue, where students can share their experiences and learn from one another.

Integrate diversity education into the core curriculum and everyday learning experiences. Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the benefits of diversity and the consequences of exclusion. Encourage students to participate in projects or activities that require collaboration with individuals from different backgrounds. Facilitate discussions that allow students to share their own experiences and hear those of others, creating a more personal connection to the topic. By normalizing conversations about diversity and making it an integral part of their education, students are more likely to internalize these values and become active allies in their communities.

Teaching and mentorship are very important aspects of the educational process. The "educee😁" needs someone to lighten up their way throught the sea of illeteracy darkness and here comes the role of the "educer😁". The teacher is the one who went through the whole way till the other end and knows the tricks and traps that students might face, and his duety is to make it easier for the jouniors so they can saftly reach the desired level of knowledge and education. Besides this the teacher himself must be updated all the time by day-to-day challenges in the educational process.

To educate thoroughly would challenge every one to assume the role of student at some point. Education is not linear. It dynamic and multidimensional. It considers opinions and experiences beyond one’s own.

Your educational slogan should be “ the whole world is my family “ . Creating a culture of embracing diversity requires awareness building through educational campaigns , creative field visits , reading philosophy books about social relativity, inviting intellectual and social influencers . Shaping the mind of students to deconstruct social myths and reconstruct liberal thinking is a worthy exercise that necessitates social encounters of diverse people coming from diverse backgrounds.

Well rounded education is improving the scope and perspective of a person. Inculcating this in a rich diverse curriculum will not only create better allyship, it will also empower students to contribute to society at large

Nunca esqueça, enquanto facilitador de aprendizagem, que nenhum grupo de pessoas é homogêneo em experiências, valores e crenças...

il est certain que de travailler en groupe notamment dans le cadre de projet annuel permet aux élèves de connaître l’autre et au final de mieux se connaître.

In my opinion letting studens feel that they have the power of of choice is an important way if getting them to engage as they feel the own the project and so participate fully

It's worth mentioning that leading by example not only inspires students but also helps to normalize allyship as an integral part of the culture. This normalization can lead to a more sustained and widespread commitment to diversity.

Lideranças devem ser estimuladas, nunca deixando de salientar que o bom líder é o que reconhece e estimula os valores individuais do grupo.

Fostering collaboration not only enhances understanding of diversity but also builds teamwork, communication, and empathy. These projects help students develop a shared sense of purpose and mutual respect, preparing them for diverse and inclusive workplaces while creating a more cohesive campus community.

En el trabajo con la comunidad el estar en presencia pedagógica, codo a codo participantes y beneficiarios, fomenta la participación activa y la construcción del sentido. Las diversidades se vivencian desde lo sentipensante en el contexto de la práctica experiencial en el campo.

En las actividades conjuntas además se viven en diversidad al reconocer sus diferencias y las del grupo, lo que les permite desarrollar empatia. Por otro lado descubren esta diversidad como una fortaleza en el equipo de trabajo.

Students don't always know how to reflect in productive ways. Create space for reflection and also guide students through the process. It is an undervalued skill, but so highly important.

Noho wananga - collaborative activities that bring students together to learn diversity directly from one another. Not only quick chat as new students in a classroom, but overnight stay where they are given time to do things together that take them beyond, and then some more, from their 'Line' of learning

It is important to create spaces and programming for students to work through and understand their resistance to diversity. When we give students time to reflect and understand themselves, challenge biases and misconceptions, we can be more successful in creating programs that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses. Invest time and resources on programming that supports students seeing and understand themselves and use the learning from this work to help students connect with the diverse communities around them.

make the class room small. small group of students will collaborate. big group will divide amoung themself into various small groups and fight for their idendity

Create more programs that encourage interactions amongst students of diverse backgrounds. Break the wall of distrust by making them interact more, even in smaller groups. Be very intentional about it and ensure diversity in your groupings. Slowly the walls of distrust and reluctance will crumble. Furthermore, you as the teacher, should maintain positive and friendly disposition towards people from diverse backgrounds. Your students are watching. This will inspire them too.