Dear AISA and the wider international community,
As the AISA Board Chair, it is with great privilege and great humility, that I provide a welcome note to all who read this guide. AISA, like many schools and organizations around the world, is striving to be on the leading edge of work around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ).
This theme is embedded throughout AISA’s strategic goals and has been a major focus of the board and greater AISA community for the past few years. It is important that we all engage in this journey towards forming a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community.
We can’t be put off by the challenges we face, some of which are unique to Africa.
All of us are affected by DEIJ issues: We all need to reflect, empathize, and grow in our understanding of what being a BIPOC Educator, an LGBTQ+ Educator, a Woman Educator, or a White Educator currently means, and through those understandings, identify what active transformation needs to happen.
It is not lost on me that I, a middle-aged, white male educator, am here writing the opening page to a DEIJ guide. However, I believe that it is exactly people like me who need to champion this cause, and do whatever we can to foster positive change. So, I call on all leaders like me to do the same and lead from the front.
AISA has a history of taking on big issues, such as Child Protection. The AISA Board is fully committed to an ongoing and sustained DEIJ program that will support our schools in their journey, not just in theory or policy, but in practice.
A dynamic group of educators and consultants supported the creation of this new AISA resource, and it is a direct result of their dedication and commitment that it now exists. I share my immense gratitude with all who contributed.
Our hope is that this document will be a powerful resource for schools not only in AISA, but around the world. Through this change, we can create a community of wellbeing where all feel they belong and can thrive. I firmly believe that change happens “one conversation at a time.” Thank you for joining in this conversation.
AISA looks forward to continuing this journey with all of you.