View source for Ask Me Anything: Courageous Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

<blockquote><div style="float: left">'''<big><span class="plainlinks">[[:en:Diversity_and_Inclusion_Office|Diversity and Inclusion Office]] |</span> [[:en:Français|FR]]<br></big>'''[[File:LLMC GC Wiki Banner (EN).png|alt=|border|center|1168x1168px]]

=='''<big>About the Ask Me Anything Series</big>'''==
<big>Ask Me Anything sessions is a platform to share stories, listen, ask respectful questions and continue on our journey to becoming more inclusive organizations. As individuals you can’t necessarily change where you live, you certainly can’t change your past, but you can adjust who influences you—through the authors you read, music you listen to, movies you watch and interactions with your community. The Ask Me Anything series provides you with an opportunity to increase your perspective—to learn from the lived-experiences of individuals who are bravely sharing their experiences to help educate and move the public service towards a culture where equity is embedded.</big>

<big>The series also provides an opportunity for you to know that you aren’t alone, these experiences, especially the negative ones are systemic and happen all too frequently throughout the public service. The objective by shining this light is to continually increase the network of public servants ready to take action and move forward towards a culture of inclusivity and belonging.</big>

==<big>'''Mission - Ask Me Anything Series'''</big>==
<big>We recognize that individuals are composed of a multitude of layers that make us who we are. We do not fit easily in one box or another and we can’t be neatly counted. We represent the mosaic of Canada.</big>

<big>It is important that we find value in each other’s experiences, differences and unique characteristics. When we build our cultural competencies, we are able to work better together in our teams and respond to each other with relevance, empathy and compassion. By celebrating and sharing our authentic selves, we gain greater appreciation of each other and the diversity that surrounds us.</big>

<big>We know through diversity, workplaces and communities are stronger, more successful and resilient. And most important, it creates spaces of inclusion and fosters a workplace of belonging where people feel valued.</big>

=='''<big>AMA Calendar</big>'''==


'''UPCOMING EVENTS'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|<big>November 13</big>
|<big>Military and Veterans: Celebrating Service Past and Present</big>
|-
|<big>December 11</big>
|<big>International Day for Persons with Disabilities</big>
|-
|<big>February 19</big>
|<big>Black History Month</big>
|}
'''PAST EVENTS'''
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!2024
|-
|<big>September 18</big>
|<big>[[Spotlight on Co-Conspirators for Positive Change in the Federal Public Service]]</big>
|-
|<big>June 19</big>
|<big>[[National Indigenous History Month: Reconnecting with Identity]]</big>
|-
|<big>April 10</big>
|<big>[[International Day of Pink]]</big>
|-
|<big>February 21</big>
|<big>[[Black History Month: Celebrating Black Excellence]]</big>
|-
!
!2023
|-
|<big>December 13</big>
|<big>[[Accessibility and the Federal Public Service]]</big>
|-
|<big>September 20</big>
|<big>[[Navigating Your Career in the Federal Public Service]]</big>
|-
|<big>June 28</big>
|<big>[[Celebrating Indigenous Voices in the Public Service]]</big>
|-
|<big>May 10</big>
|<big>[[Celebrating Jewish Voices in the Public Service]]</big>
|-
|<big>March 22</big>
|<big>[[International Women`s Day: Representation Matters]]</big>
|-
|<big>February 15</big>
|<big>[[Black History Month: Celebrating Black Voices across Diaspora|Black History Month: Celebrating Black Voices across the Diaspora]]</big>
|-
|<big>January 25</big>
|<big>[[Workplace Harassment]]</big>
|-
!
!2022
|-
|<big>December 14</big>
|<big>[[Neuro-Diversity is Diversity]]</big>
|-
|<big>November 16</big>
|<big>[[Honouring Veterans|Honoring Veterans]]</big>
|-
|<big>October 12</big>
|<big>[[Canadian Islamic History Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>September 14</big>
|<big>[[Bilingualism]]</big>
|-
|August
|''- summer break -''
|-
|<big>July 13</big>
|<big>[[Pride: Self-Discovery and Difficult Journeys]]</big>
|-
|<big>June 22</big>
|<big>[[National Indigenous History Month 2022|National Indigenous History Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>May 18</big>
|<big>[[Asian Heritage Month.|Asian Heritage Month: Disrupting Invisibility]]</big>
|-
|<big>April 20</big>
|<big>[[Sikh Heritage Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>March 9</big>
|<big>[[Women in STEM]]</big>
|-
|<big>February 9</big>
|<big>[[Black History Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>January 12</big>
|<big>[[Microaggressions and Mental Health]]</big>
|-
!
!2021
|-
|<big>December 15</big>
|<big>[[White Fragility]]</big>
|-
|<big>December 8</big>
|<big>[[Accessibility:Thriving vs. Surviving|Accessibility: Thriving vs. Surviving]]</big>
|-
|<big>November 24</big>
|<big>[[Institutional Influence: Exploring Anti-Racism Secretariats]]</big>
|-
|<big>October 20</big>
|<big>[[Women’s History Month: Building Resiliency]]</big>
|-
|<big>September 22</big>
|<big>[[Representation in Leadership|Representation in Leadership Matters: The Time to Act Now]]</big>
|-
|<big>July 14</big>
|<big>[[Pride Season - Public Service Pride Week]]</big>
|-
|<big>June 29</big>
|<big>[[National Indigenous History Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>May 26</big>
|<big>[[Asian Heritage Month]]</big>
|-
|<big>May 5</big>
|<big>[[Inclusion and Belonging: Recap]]</big>
|-
|<big>March 23</big>
|<big>[[Women Leadership - Gender Equality]]</big>
|-
|<big>February 16</big>
|<big>[[Black History Month: Anti-Black Racism]]</big>
|-
!
!2020
|-
|<big>November 13</big>
|<big>[[Abilities in the Workplace]]</big>
|}

=='''<big>#AMAChallenge</big>'''==
<big>We encourage others to have courageous conversations with their peers. Use the monthly Ask Me Anything sessions as an opportunity to have brave conversations in your workplaces with your teams.</big>

<big>Here’s what you need to do:</big>

*<big>Invite your leaders and colleagues in your organization to an Ask Me Anything watch party, tune in live and watch the session together. Make sure it’s in their calendars.</big>
*<big>Before the watch party, book a “After the AMA – Team Session” with your immediate team for the day after the event for 30-60mins. Share the resource guide and have these questions for discussion.</big>

==='''After the AMA – Team Session Discussion Questions'''===

#<big>What     was my main takeaway – expand and share an amazing quote, story or moment</big>
#<big>What made me uncomfortable?</big>
#<big>What is an example of a systemic discrimination that I am aware of in my life?</big>
#<big>What am I not going to do anymore?</big>
#<big>How can I use my voice/influence – both overtly/covertly</big>
#<big>Where am I going to dig in and learn more?</big>
#<big>How will I continue this conversation?</big>

<big>It is important that we find value in the experiences, the unique characteristics of each other. When we develop our cultural competence, we are able to work better together within our teams and respond to each other with relevant empathy and compassion. By celebrating and sharing our authentic selves, we gain a greater appreciation for each other and the diversity that surrounds us.It is important that we find value in the experiences, the unique characteristics of each other. When we develop our cultural competence, we are able to work better together within our teams and respond to each other with relevant empathy and compassion. By celebrating and sharing our authentic selves, we gain a greater appreciation for each other and the diversity that surrounds us.</big>
=='''Interested in Becoming a Speaker?'''==
<big>We are always looking for new speakers to share their stories and help others to be heard. If you are interested in coming on stage or know a public servant with topic relevant public experience, send us a message at DiversityandInclusion-Diversiteetinclusion@forces.gc.ca</big>