Health as a Bridge to Peace Initiative

HBP: Health as a Bridge to Peace Student Club
York University

The 2008 -2009 academic year at York University has been a turbulent one. Starting in November 2008, the university was closed as issues of labor were argued. After about three months, classes resumed in February 2009. As it has been apparent in the news, other events transpired on the York University Campus that caused upheaval. Students were met with issues of racism and discrimination due to their religion and ethnicities. The purpose of this article is not to discuss who was right and who was wrong. Rather, the most important aspect to be dealt with is positive directions that the university has taken to promote diversity on campus.

Recently, a group of York students, faculty members and the Dean of Health gathered to discuss ways to promote respect for diversity on campus, and to create a safe space for the development of a dialogue among diverse groups. The group calls themselves ‘Health as a Bridge to Peace’ or HBP. A key issue the group hopes to address is mutual respect and listening at public events. Too often, whenever a rally or political issue arises on campus a yelling match among opposing groups ensues. The rallies primarily take place in Vari Hall at the York campus and result in disturbing classes, promoting hate on campus – rarely resulting in anything positive.

The mission statement of a Canadian university is pluralism of ideas and people. York University’s 50,000 students are a diverse group comprised of many cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Whenever a topic of sensitivity arises on campus, there are two ways to go about dealing with the issue. The first way, and the way the university has seen it happen too often, is where groups of students gather in Vari Hall and yell until no one is interested in yelling anymore. The second way, one that has not occurred frequently enough, is to gather both sides and create a dialogue whereby members of the York community, who otherwise have little or no idea about the issues, can listen and learn from each other in a positive manner.

HBP is working with the university leaders to endorse a day on campus for a “Dialogue on Diversity.” This day would be the alternative to the yelling and screaming. The aim is to have not only a day for education, but also an opportunity to encourage other quieter groups to promote their own concerns. For example the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one key matter yelled about on campus, which consequently results in Jewish students getting harassed and discriminated against, and pro-Palestinian students finding themselves heavily criticized for their methods of discussion. Fascinatingly, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the only important global issue that has to be discussed and dealt with. If the university is a medium for great minds to gather and discuss ways in which to solve global instabilities, then dialogue is the best most peaceful method for confidence building to see a brighter future for addressing all-important issues.

Especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, open dialogue has to be a viable alternative to yelling matches. In 2009, it is incumbent on every single Canadian to promote diversity and change dealing with sensitive political issues from a manner that treads in waters of questionable racism and discrimination to a positive climate of dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation. HBP therefore is taking a stance to create a brighter student friendly forum for learning about important global issues including diversity. By working on promoting a day of dialogue on campus, HBP hopes to change the image of the hateful community at York University to the wonderfully diverse and accomplished university it actually is.