Critical Edge Alliance
Values in and for universities:
The notion of diversity, equity & inclusion
Universities are strong actors to trigger and catalyze change through their role to understand the world and spreading knowledge. Their dual role to educate people and conduct innovative research are powerful tools for positive and critical political, societal, and cultural change. Through this work, universities not only feed decision-makers with evidence-based data and facts but also provide them with concepts based on specific world views, while preparing future generations of citizen-leaders. Thus, universities’ underlying (and sometimes under-examined and often contested) values are crucial because they reinforce and impact current and future debates and decisions with wide-ranging consequences.
The CEA Annual Conference 2023 emerges from a value statement that universities are institutions where equity, sustainability, and social justice must be upheld. These aspects relate directly to many universities’ efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and such values can be simultaneously a subject of research, teaching, or policy, with each university focusing on different aspects, depending on their history and culture.
The CEA Annual Conference 2023 will discuss the role and the implementation of values in and for universities through the critical lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and invites proposals broadly but not exclusively in the following areas:
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Human rights and social justice through the fight against any discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, and other critical aspects of identity
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Environmental justice through the fight against climate change and for sustainable development
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Peace for and international solidarity with oppressed populations, refugees, asylum seekers, and other marginalized groups.
Proposals are invited in the following ways:
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Individual papers
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Workshops
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Collective panels
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Artistic exhibitions
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Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, a founding member of the CEA, is proud to host the Annual Conference from Wednesday-Friday, July 5-7, 2023 in Ifrane, Morocco, and welcomes presenters and participants from within and beyond the CEA.