OUR WORLD
AEF's Our World program is a ground-breaking initiative that aligns with AEF’s mission of celebrating excellence and cultivating equity in PK-12th grade Arizona public education. Our World provides diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for schools, businesses, nonprofits, and higher education. Designed by Arizona Teachers of the Year®, higher education partners, and AEF staff, Our World has a unique non-biased approach that supports education and business partners with fulfilling commitments they made to adopt more equitable practices.
Specially, Our World training strives to accomplish the following:
-
Creates a roadmap for establishing or expanding upon culturally inclusive and responsive learning and work environments;
-
Provides individuals with tools for recognizing and addressing bias within school, corporate, and nonprofit environments; and
-
Fosters open communication about the issues of bias, race, identity, and social justice.
Ultimately, Our World is a place where all stakeholders are involved in creating equitable and just environments.
OUR WORLD GOALS
-
Craft a shared understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
-
Examine historical events that have led to systematic oppression;
-
Foster awareness about how bias is manifested in individual attitudes and behaviors as well as formal (and "unspoken") policies and practices;
-
Create opportunities for dialogue around how to better serve their students or employees;
-
Offer constructive strategies for schools, businesses, and nonprofits to establish and/or expand equitable practices.
OUR WORLD ORIGIN
Our World aligns with the mission of the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) to celebrate excellence and cultivate equity in PreK-12th grade Arizona public education. AEF is committed to using its distinctive and unique platform to support the fight against systemic oppression. Our World is a response to calls for societal justice and reform around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Although often misinterpreted, DEI training provides individuals with the tools needed to build culturally inclusive learning and work environments; to recognize and combat oppression on school and corporate campuses; and to foster open communication about the issues of bias, race, identity, and social justice.
We seek a world where the unique diversity of Arizona is reflected in all sectors of our workforce, including schools, and where individuals can thrive academically, professionally, and emotionally so that they can become engaged members of their communities.
"To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try."
- Rosa Parks
FOR SCHOOLS
Tailored to meet the needs of schools and districts seeking training in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Educators will see model lessons and learn strategies for creating culturally inclusive classrooms. Classrooms may also seek assistance with implementing student-led social justice projects.
OUR WORLD | AEF® STAFF CONTACT
Renee Levin, AEF® Equity Champion | 480-231-4872 | ourworld@azedfoundation.org