Education
Purpose
To assist educational institutions in Central Arkansas
to share information and work together on initiatives to promote positive race
relations and develop an understanding of other cultures.
Goals
To expose faculty, staff, and students to other cultures
beyond a superficial level. To insure that people from all races and cultures
feel comfortable on school campuses. To move beyond bi-culturalism
(African-American and White).
"Keepin’ It Real" is organized by the RCDC Youth Diversity Advisory Committee,
which is made up of students from Central Arkansas high schools. The highlight
of this event is a series of workshops conducted by students discussing the
racial/cultural environment at their schools and how to enhance that
environment.
Workshop Goals
Students and sponsors will complete the workshop with . . .
- An awareness and
understanding of our differences and commonalities and an appreciation of our
interconnectedness--regardless of our differences.
- An ability to recognize
one's own and others' prejudices and to confront them in a positive, assertive
way.
- A heightened awareness of
and sensitivity to diversity issues.
- An ability to demonstrate
cross-cultural communication skills and conflict resolution skills within a
cultural context.
- An ability to lead group
discussions on diversity issues.
- Measurable, relevant, and
realistic goals and action plans based on the unique cultural climate of each
school
- An ability to plan and
implement school-based activities and programs that promote racial/cultural
harmony in their schools.
- A sense of team purpose
and cohesiveness that will encourage continuity.
- Knowledge about how to create an effective organizational structure.
Youth Diversity Advisory Committee: Is an arm of the
RCDC Education Committee that advises and encourages Central Arkansas
educators, students, and others to play a leadership role in addressing
the issues of diversity and education.
School-Based Diversity Council: Is an on-going
initiative that promotes inclusion at area schools with an emphasis on
tolerance, unity, and diversity education. Its purpose is as follows:
- To promote open, honest
dialogue about diversity issues among students, faculty, staff and the
administration.
- To promote interracial
closeness, trust, and positive attitudes toward others of different cultural
and/or ethnic background.
- To provide opportunities
for personal development and leadership skills enhancement.
- To provide opportunities for making decisions and for assuming responsibilities.
Activities
- Prepare for the second annual Keepin' It Real
conference for high school students of Pulaski County
- Establish diversity councils in the high schools of Pulaski County