ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) members provide professional Appropriate and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for clients who have diverse backgrounds and individual needs. We strive to provide the highest standards and seek to improve our practices by studying and learning from current Canadian and world societal issues.
At its November 2019 Conference, ADRIC led a consultative session about Indigenous issues and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. The consultation was well-attended and led to the development of a small working group which was tasked with providing the ADRIC Board of Directors with a condensed history lesson for its May 2020 meetings. The group shared their perspective on what “went wrong” after settlers arrived in Canada (Indigenous people have had to deal with many issues including laws that have been imposed upon them without their input) and information for the Board to consider in determining how it wishes to continue the journey.
In June, ADRIC was challenged to provide a response to the #BlackLivesMatter movement while maintaining the integrity of the ‘neutrality’ of its members. ADRIC membership functions within the terms of Canadian and Provincial Human Rights Legislation and upholds those rights through Codes of Conduct and Ethics and through respect for what clients have experienced before engaging others in mediation or arbitration, etc.
The Board reflected and decided that actions truly speak louder than words. ADRIC has organized a series of eight professional development webinars to shed light on unconscious bias, racism, discrimination and inequity faced by people because of their colour, gender, disability, religion, culture or background and to increase our members’ ability to respond professionally and inclusively.
The series is called Diversity in ADR: Ethics and Inclusion.
The series will explore how to be an ally; authentic vs performative allyship; understanding power and privilege and its effect; the value of inclusion in ADR; to listen to those who have been marginalized and learn from their experience in life and their practices; how to help change systemic biases and discriminatory practices in organizations; and how to recognize and deal with clients’ trauma caused by prior discriminatory experiences. The series will wrap up in a virtual Sharing Circle to consider how to move ourselves, our practices and organizations forward.
Facilitators reflect the diversity addressed in the series, as do some of the facilitation methods.
The webinars will begin October 14th, one per week, and will be provided free of charge.
We invite our members, clients, colleagues, governments, and other institutions to join us for the series and in working to create a truly fair and just Canada. Please join us and share this message and flyer.
For further information please contact:
Janet McKay, Executive Director ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC)
416-487-4733 x 105
executivedirector@adric.ca
With over 2500 member practitioners drawn from every corner of the country, ADRIC is Canada’s leading professional organization for alternative dispute resolution promoting conflict resolution through arbitration, mediation and other forms of ADR. ADRIC sets a national standard for best practices and quality assurance for industry-leading arbitration and mediation rules, codes of ethics and conduct, and discipline and complaint procedures.
ADRIC’s affiliates include ADRBC (BC), ADRIA (AB), ADRSK (SK), ADRIM (MB), ADRIO (ON), IMAQ (QC) and ADRAI (Atlantic Provinces).
