Canadian Race Relations Foundation

The Diversity and Equity Leadership Institute (DELI) is a highly interactive and experiential course grounded in adult pedagogy and layered with cutting-edge information from the fields of neuroscience, social psychology, and bias research. By combining anti-racism strategies with emotional intelligence and conflict resolution, this approach balances intellect with emotions, and internal factors with external forces.

Developed and delivered in partnership with Anima Leadership, DELI offers a unique and holistic approach integrating self-awareness and mindfulness with anti-discrimination work. The participatory nature of the course allows learners to delve deeply into equity issues, and offers tools to facilitate courageous conversations around the thorny terrain of race, culture, and difference.

In 2010, the CRRF submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education, Inclusive Education Branch to deliver training sessions to school system leaders in Ontario to complement the Ministry's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. Upon the proposal's approval, the CRRF partnered with the Ministry and Anima Leadership and delivered three two-day workshops to school system leaders in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the National Capital Region and Thunder Bay.

These DELI training sessions offer a balance between understanding systemic racism, emotional impact, social relationships, processes, and multiple layers of conflict that accompany transformative learning. They are designed to assist School Boards in developing capacity for equity in all areas. The workshops also offer a safe space for discussion and conversation about equity, race and human rights while helping participants navigate through difference, diversity, power relations and conflict.