Our EDI events or Days of Significance are designed to promote the faculty’s and UNSW’s diverse and inclusive culture and to encourage engagement with the faculty’s EDI Strategy.
Key EDI Events
The following events highlight the diverse and vibrant community within UNSW Medicine & Health and the importance of supporting an inclusive, welcoming and respectful culture. Our students and staff can thrive when they belong, and feel valued and respected.
International Women’s Day (8 March)
This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
National Close the Gap Day (17 March)
National Close the Gap Day is part of a campaign aimed at closing the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians by 2030. It’s a time for the faculty, as part of the broader community, to come together and commit to achieving health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a voice in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life choices and outcomes are achieved.
Harmony Day (21 March)
Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This event is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians regardless of cultural or linguistic background.
UN International Day for Families (15 May)
This is a global day to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of families and their values in shaping the world. This is part of MHEDIC’s focus on supporting families including new parents to the workplace.
NAIDOC Week (2-8 July)
Celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Wear it Purple Day (26 August)
Wear it Purple Day was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives, following incidents of bullying and harassment resulting from a lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.
International Day of Older Persons (1 October)
The International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions that older people make to the faculty and our society. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues and challenges of ageing in today’s world.
World Mental Health Day (10 October)
This is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. It’s an initiative sponsored by the World Federation for Mental Health to raise public awareness of mental health issues worldwide.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November)
Each year the faculty hosts a panel event to mark this campaign, which has been led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008. It’s aimed at raising awareness of the endemic of violence against women and girls. It’s a call for action to promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions. It’s also part of a broader MHEDIC initiative of creating a culture of inclusion and safety for women who are studying and working.
International Day of Persons with Disability (3 December)
This is a day for global awareness aimed at promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and to foster a disability-inclusive culture across the faculty.