In a recent article for the Edmonton Journal, University of Alberta President Bill Flanagan discusses the university’s move from an equity, diversity, and inclusion framework to one that prioritizes access, community, and belonging. Flanagan writes that the shift reflects the university’s commitment to emphasizing shared humanity: “access” references work to make education financially and socially accessible, “community” underscores collective well-being and shared purpose, and “belonging” reflects the goal of creating spaces where people feel valued. “Universities must be places of diversity where ideas are exchanged freely, where challenging conversations across differences are embraced, and where intellectual growth flourishes,” writes Flanagan.
