As we head towards the end of the year, we have been reflecting here at Encounter about some of the changes going on around us. The environment is in flux and we are making some of our own adjustments in response to this, which has really been possible because of the support of so many of you. Below, let’s look at some of the transitions going on.
Workplace Changes: The DEI Backlash
A shift in political and cultural norms – emanating from the United States but not limited to there – has been causing many organizations to reconsider their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (or DEI) initiatives. Firms had made real investments in this area whereas now some (though not all) are pulling back at least partially on this front.
While these initiatives surged in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, in truth, the broader goal of creating inclusive environments in workplaces, schools, and elsewhere, preceded the specific language of DEI. In a similar manner, we are continuing that work today using language that fits organizational goals more clearly by highlighting the need to create a sense of belonging and to ensure dignity and respect for everyone.
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Moreover, we are drawing people’s attention to the compelling business case for this kind of work. Organizations that have diverse teams where people feel comfortable enough comfort to speak out foster more divergent thinking where creative solutions emerge and possible snags get highlighted (1, 2). These entities are more successful and also end up with happier employees who stay and grow within the organization. It also, quite frankly, makes for better team environments. We spend a lot of time at work and corporate culture can make our lives more complicated or more enriching.
Other Changes
In our communities and societies, two things are apparent. First, the unmistakable growing diversification of our schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. This manifests in a million ways from the look of soccer teams to the background of civic leaders. Less cheerfully, there has also been a surge of racism, some of which we addressed in our last blog.
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Both of these changes really bring home the importance of promoting religious literacy. The cultural mood has been dark lately but there are also reasons for a lot of hope. In working with governments, police, schools, and the public, we often encounter a genuine interest in learning about one another and a desire to promote respect and inclusion.
Some Responses at Encounter
In response to some of these shifts, we’ve been expanding our offerings to meet the needs of our various communities and colleagues. For work environments, we have a series called Demystifying (Demystifying Islam, Buddhism, etc.) which we had started in 2024 but have built out further this year, in part thanks to requests from organizations for more. Those sessions, designed for workplaces, involve conversations with an insider from the religion where we explore the basics of the tradition, misconceptions, and how to make the work environment welcoming. These sessions help workplaces offer accurate and important information around inclusion, and nurture or subtly shift teams to become more welcoming.
We also created a new session for police Victim Servies units. These folks show up to support victims in a crime scene. Having relevant cultural knowledge at these times of trauma can be really helpful as these first responders provide support to people going through the worst moments of their lives. It was an honour to deliver this program recently to the fine folks at Halton Police Victim Services.
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We also have new classes created to help stoke curiosity and familiarity with various traditions. These include new classes on religions’ sounds, sacred spaces, key texts and others. (You can check out our upcoming series that will cover some of this material, offering educational opportunities during the dark cold winter months). We also have a new class on the religion and politics of India as that country becomes a larger force on the planet and is positioned to really make its mark in the coming decades.
Thanks to You
Encounter exists quite simply because of the community around it. So many of you have come to our events, downloaded our free resources, read or shared our blogs, told others about our Discovery Week, and, on top of all that, make it all worthwhile. Having people respond positively to our work is the reward that makes everything worth it.
We are very grateful to you!
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Finally, many of you kindly support us with either annual or monthly donations. These gifts make a tremendous difference to us and our ability to respond to these changes in our communities! If you’re so inclined, we would greatly welcome and appreciate your support.
Thanks so much for being part of the Encounter community! It is a pleasure to put in this effort knowing how many of you believe in the work we do.
