Postgraduate Students Learn about Advancing Equity in Corporate Social Responsibility

More than 70 students from Fundraising Management, Public Administration, International Development, and Public Relations postgraduate programs participated in a special event featuring guests Olumide (Mide) Akerewusi and Jessica Kotzeff from AgentsC. The event aimed to educate students about recent research conducted collaboratively with Imagine Canada and supported by the RBC Foundation.

During the event, the guests shared insights from the Advancing Equity in CSR and Youth Perspectives & Recommendations on Equity in Corporate Citizenship research studies. The students were reminded of the significant work that needs to be done to fully incorporate the principles of JAIDE (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) into this discipline.

According to the research, one of the key findings was a lack of representation and influence of Black and Indigenous professionals within the field. The study revealed that only 25% of Black practitioners reported having funding decision-making responsibility, compared to 96% of white respondents. Additionally, the research highlighted that diversity training alone is insufficient.

Mide emphasized the need for future professionals, such as graduates, to increase and improve the practices surrounding enduring change and social responsibility. This applies to all sectors, including corporate, nonprofit, and government.

The event proved to be an informative and engaging opportunity for postgraduate students to learn about the current state of the field and the need for continued efforts to advance equity in corporate social responsibility.

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