Diversity Workshop: A new partnership for Ara Institute of Canterbury – Te Pūkenga and Qtopia.

_{Jennifer Shields leads the discussion at the first Ara Institute of Canterbury-Te Pūkenga and Qtopia Diversity and Inclusion Workshop held at Ara’s Madras street campus, Christchurch.}

The two organisations have teamed up to offer Qtopia’s workshop encouraging a deeper understanding of diversity more widely.  The first, held this week, was attended by Ara-Te Pūkenga staff and participants from the health and volunteering sectors.

Qtopia is known for its mahi in this area. The social support service for the LGBTQIA+ community in Canterbury also works to encourage the wider community to become leaders in inclusivity.

“Our mission is to create a more inclusive New Zealand,” says Qtopia’s Jennifer Shields who presented the two-hour workshop involving facilitated group discussion and individual reflection.

“The more places and environments that have competency and understanding for the rainbow community the better.  It’s so vital that we now have knowledge in important spaces like Ara for young people studying.” Jennifer says.

But she understands that confidence in supporting the rainbow community is something that for some, must grow.

“Having a space where people can ask questions and not worry about getting it wrong is a huge priority for us,” she says.

Andy Moore, who works in Ara-Te Pūkenga’s Students Services and Community Engagement says the workshop was incredibly valuable.

“It’s definitely something that’s useful to know doing the work I do. I mean, we talk to students every day.  If they mention this stuff, it’s good to have insights so we know how to approach things in a helpful way. I valued getting more insight into the differences between gender identity, sexuality and gender expression.  I’d certainly encourage others to do it,” Andy says.

Jen Shortley who also works in Customer Service at Ara-Te Pūkenga, strongly endorsed the workshop, even as someone already involved with rainbow action for staff and developing social networking for rainbow students.

“It creates a safe place where people can ask anything without fear, and it was good to be part of the discussion.  Someone from every team should do it,” Jen says.

She says it also shows that Ara-Te Pūkenga is ‘walking the talk’.

“It’s really putting action behind our words and I’m very happy to see that.”

Ara-Te Pūkenga Business Development Representative Jack Davies says it’s great to be able to promote the workshop through the organisations’ networks and staff.

“It’s sad to see the reports of how overrepresented the LGBTQAI+ people are when it comes to mental health and discrimination. A workshop like this allows people to gain a better understanding and gives them simple steps in how to support this community and lift them up,” he says.

“It also shows those looking to get into study that Ara is open to people from all walks of life and is ready to support people onto the pathway they are looking for,” Jack says.

It’s hoped more workshops will be available going forward which Qtopia’s Jennifer Shields is keen to see happen.

“We’re so grateful for the partnership with Ara.  It really demonstrates there is ‘buy-in’ from Ara as an organisation to the work we are doing and recognition that it is of a high quality and high standard. It really shows how serious Ara is as an organisation about this stuff.”

The fees from the workshops will enable Qtopia to continue to support the thousands of people who approach the organisation each year for help.

Ara students and staff seeking to make connections or access support can message the Ara Rainbow Action Network at rainbow@ara.ac.nz

You can find out more about Qtopia at https://www.qtopia.org.nz/ or connect at connect@qtopia.org.nz