Irish Ambassador, His Excellency Declan Kelly, will be the guest speaker at this year’s University of Queensland Diversity Week awards ceremony.
Ambassador Kelly, who began his extensive career in foreign affairs and public administration three decades ago, has been Ireland’s representative in Australia since July 2002 and concurrently Ambassador to New Zealand since September 2002.
He will address a lunchtime gathering at Customs House on May 14, where Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, AC, will also present two sets of awards.
The inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards will recognise contributions that improve equity or diversity or raise awareness of these issues within the UQ community. An award of $5,000 will be presented to an individual and $10,000 will go to an organisational unit.
In addition, four Diversity Action Project Awards will provide $2,500 to an individual or a group for a project to advance or support diversity at UQ, with a particular emphasis on enhancing cross-cultural understanding and anti-racism policies. These are on-off awards.
Diversity Week, which will run from May 10-14, this year takes the theme of “All-Together-Different”.
The aim is to raise awareness and increase understanding about issues such as disability, sexuality, cultural and linguistic diversity, religious diversity, gender identity, family and carer responsibilities, racism and Indigenous Australian history and culture
Equity Office Director Ann Stewart has encouraged UQ staff and students to join in by running projects, events or activities that celebrate diversity.
“Acceptance of diversity means there is a place in our community for everyone, and celebration of diversity acknowledges that it enriches us all," Ms Stewart said.
“People can apply for grants of up to $1,000 to help promote the diversity that already exists on campus and to foster understanding of the value that diversity brings to UQ and the broader community.”
“We especially want to encourage people to think about projects that can be conducted in workplaces or among groups of students in particular courses or programs.
“For example, people might wish to hold lunchtime talks on aid programs, invite artists to display their work, set up a buddy system with international students or showcase the work done by an area with a special interest in diversity.
“The only stipulation is that the activity must relate to Diversity Week 2004.”
Nominations for the Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards close on April 16, and nominations for the Diversity Action Project Awards must be lodged by April 2.
Applications for Diversity Week Grants close on April 2.
UQ staff and students can attend the awards ceremony on May 14 and bookings, at a cost of $45 a head, can be made through faculty offices.
Information about Diversity Week, the awards, grants and awards ceremony can be found at www.uq.edu.au/about/diversityweek
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