Category Archives: Religion

Diversity, Equality, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month, Religion

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – January 2016

Rimla AkhtarRimla Akhtar is the first Muslim woman – and one of only six women in total – to sit on the 121-strong FA Council. She is chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation and worked with Olympic organisers to advise them on female representation at London 2012.

Rimla is a Liverpool fan and both coaches and plays football. She captained the British Muslim Women’s football team in 2005 and played cricket for her county as a teenager. Rimla has been involved in a number of campaigns to make football more inclusive, including a successful campaign to get FIFA to accept that women should be allowed to play football wearing hijabs.

As chair of the UK’s Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF), her mission is both simple, and daunting: to promote diversity in British sports, an arena overwhelmingly dominated by white men.

She is also the co-founder of The Listening Service, which provides mental health awareness and support for women, with a particular focus on those from ethnic minorities.

Rimla’s achievements were marked when she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to equality and diversity in sport.

Age, Disability, Equality, Ethnicity, Gender, LGBT, Mental Health, Race, Religion, Transgender

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is showcasing a series of events in the coming year in collaboration with SUUG. All students and staff are welcome.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is showcasing a series of events in the coming year in collaboration with SUUG. All students and staff are welcome.

Showcase 1

Let’s debate! To kick-start the event of the year, in collaboration with Student Union, we would like you to join us on:

Thursday 17th December 5.00 – 6.30 pm
King William 315. Greenwich Campus

Share your experiences positive or negative on the topic of ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ as part of our ‘Open Debate’ with a panel of student and staff members. Unable to come along? Send us your comments. Refreshments will be available.

Register your attendance: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/showcase-1-lets-debate-tickets-19780398705

Showcase 2

EDI Strategy Launch 27th January 2016, 12 noon to 5.30pm in Queen Anne Room 180 followed by drinks reception and international buffet. This will be an event marking the launch of the first University of Greenwich the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy

Your opportunity to ‘Showcase’ and reflect upon best practice of student and staff initiatives and activities across the characteristics of age, gender, race, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, religion and belief (non-belief) and as carers of relative or friends.

The message will be to understand how current university practices and processes is linked to equality, diversity and inclusion work and that together we can achieve best practice and deliver better services to all students and staff at the university.

There will be internal and external key speakers (TBC) on the day with stalls and stands in the shared area.

The opening address will be delivered by Professor David Maguire. The event will be chaired by Chief Operating Officer, Anne Poulson. More information will be available nearer the date.

Register you attendance https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-edi-strategy-launch-tickets-19778193108

What we would like from you:

• Examples of best practice in your service/area linked to the characteristics of EDI. It is an opportunity for you to ‘Showcase’ on the 27th January either through you being a key speaker or by having a stall/table or both. Contact c.clark@gre.ac.uk

• We are looking to re-brand the University EDI Logo and ask for submissions by students and staff by 11th January 2016. The new EDI logo will be used on all future University of Greenwich EDI marketing and promotional material.
1st Prize £75 2nd Prize £50 3rd Prize £25

EDI Logo Brief:

A visual logo only. Your own original design. Strong visual colours (consider those who may have visual impairment or colour blindness) A very brief strapline. All submissions to c.clark@gre.ac.uk by 11th January 2016.
Are you interested in becoming part of the judging panel? (To meet on the week of 11th January 2016) Contact c.clark@gre.ac.uk .

Showcase 3.

Diversity Fair Week March 2016 To be announced

Showcase 4.

To finish of the academic year, One Day Equality Fair 20th May 2016 Queen Anne Court. Further information will be announced next year.
Email with your interest to either attend, speaker/hold a stall or being part of the debate on 17th December.

Kind regards

Claire W. Clark
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Religion, Uncategorised

Religion and Belief Open Meetings – Avery Hill and Medway

Thank you to those who had attended the first meeting in October at the Greenwich campus. We value your contribution so far and shall be in touch shortly.

Why should you attend?

The Open Meeting for staff is just the beginning. It will be an opportunity for you to tell us what you think the planned Forum on Religion and Belief should include;

· Bring your expertise in any area of Religion and Belief
· Raise any concerns you may have
· Tell us what you are already doing in the University around Religion and Belief
· Volunteer for the forum

We hope to further improve student experience, and offer growth and enrichment opportunities for both students and staff.

If you would like to be part of this new venture, please register your attendance on either of the links below or get in touch if you cannot attend but wish to express an interest.

Avery Hill. Mary Seacole S011

Thursday 26th November 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

Register your attendance by clicking on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/religion-and-belief-forum-open-meeting-avery-hill-campus-tickets-19329962438

OR

Medway. Blake Building B028

Wednesday 9th December 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

Register your attendance by clicking on the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/religion-and-belief-open-meeting-medway-campus-tickets-19330422815

We hope you can make it.

Claire W. Clark Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Catherine Martindale, Roman Catholic Lay Champlain. Member of the Chaplaincy Team

 

 

Gender, Race, Religion, Uncategorised

England striker on faith in football

Eni Aluko

People can be very cynical when they see former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez praying before kick-off, or Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge pointing to the sky when he has scored, but I’d like to try and explain how faith can help with playing top-level football.

I’ve grown up believing in God and I believe that being an England international and a lawyer has not just happened by accident.  More

Religion, Uncategorised

Church of England Formally Approves Plans for Women Bishops

WBishop

The Church of England has formally adopted legislation which means its first female bishops could be ordained next year.

The amendment was passed with a show of hands at the general synod.

The first women priests were ordained in 1994, but to date they have not been able to take on the Church’s most senior roles.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the move meant the start of “a new way of being the church”.

But divisions remain between Anglicans who feel it is consistent with their faith and traditionalists who disagree.  More

Race, Religion, Uncategorised

‘Poppy Hijab’ to Mark Muslim Soldier’s Victoria Cross 100 Years On

Poppy Hijab

A fashion designer has created a ‘poppy hijab’ to commemorate the centenary of the first Muslim soldier being awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery.

Tabinda-Kauser Ishaq, a final year student at the University of Arts in London, also hopes the piece of clothing will give Muslim women a new way to mark Remembrance Day.

Born in what is now Pakistan, Sepoy Khudadad Khan was one of 1.2 million Indian soldiers and 400,000 Muslims who fought alongside British troops in 1914.

He was the sole survivor of a team assigned to defend vital ports in France and Belgium from being taken by German troops. More