World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice: internationally February 20
In light of Reading Week, U of A will be observing World Day of Social Justice on February 24-28, 2025
It is important to recognize how mental health and social justice are directly interconnected. Social injustices can cause cumulative stress that takes a mental, physical and emotional toll on us as individuals. These injustices can negatively affect our mental health and heavily impact some of us more than others.
Observing World Social Justice Day reminds us to proactively address systemic issues and acknowledge how gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexuality, disability and economic status create barriers and privileges that impact our community. Caring for our mental health also means advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion on campus for not just ourselves but also those around us. In doing so, we are more likely to enhance the well-being of our community as a whole.
Living Library Call for Volunteers
For 2025, we will host a Living Library inspired by the Human Library concept.
The Living Library aims to create a safe learning space and foster an understanding among diverse groups of people. Unlike traditional libraries filled with books, a Living Library features people as "Living Books," each with their own stories and experiences to share, rooted in their individual identities, backgrounds, cultures and intersections. By highlighting U of A community members’ stories, we hope this event will spread awareness about how mental health intersects with social justice, building empathy and confronting stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
Volunteer speakers, or “Living Books,” will share their experiences with small groups of University of Alberta students, faculty and staff on topics that include, but not limited to, resilience, challenge and paths toward change regarding how injustice impacts mental health. If you or anyone you know is interested in sharing their unique experiences as a Living Book with the campus community, please fill out our form below; it also contains more information about the event and the Living Book role.
Deadline to apply: December 4, 2024.