International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD)
Save the Date for the National Defence International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Event 2025
What: National Defence International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Event 2025
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EST)
Where: In person: NDHQ (Carling) Building 10W
Virtually: MS Stream recording (accessible only on the National Defence network)
Live sound (mix of EN and FR) [mp4 - 3.56 GB] | English Only [mp4 - 3.56 GB] | French Only [mp4 - 3.56 GB]
Guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website), the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) recognizes that the injustices and prejudices fueled by racial discrimination continue to take place every day. Observed annually on March 21, it commemorates the events of Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960, where police actions during a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" resulted in the tragic loss of 69 lives.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Defence Team members are invited to join the Defence Champions for Racialized Persons and special guests for a national virtual/in-person event on Friday, March 21, 2025.
This event will be an opportunity to learn more about the impacts of racial discrimination and to have meaningful dialogue that will encourage self-reflection for all members of the Defence Team. It will feature a keynote speaker and a Q&A session.
The event will be in a hybrid format. Defence Team members are invited to attend either in-person at NDHQ (Carling) (a DND NCR building pass is required) or virtually by watching the live broadcast of the event (links above).
Find tools, training materials, and resources on combatting racial discrimination in the Defence Team Online Anti-Racism Hub.
Opening remarks:
- Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence Natasha Kim and Rear-Admiral Jacques Olivier, Defence Team Champions for Racialized Persons
- Andrew Au and Colonel Sylvestre Bishop, Defence Racialized Persons Advisory Group (DRPAG)
- Lieutenant-Commander Beth Lei, Defence Team Canadian Asian Network (DTCAN)
- Maria-Chantal Eynoux, Director Anti-Racism Implementation (DARI)
Keynote Speaker
We are honoured that Jason Lyall will join us as our keynote speaker. Author of Divided Armies: Inequality and Battlefield Performance in Modern War, Jason Lyall's research examines the links between inequality and battle effectiveness.
Additional Resources
This event may contain language and references to harmful situations which may be emotionally activating for some people. If you or someone you know needs support, please seek assistance: