As part of an initiative fostering openness and dialogue, the Middlesex University Mauritius, in collaboration with the Young Queer Alliance and The Other Foundation, hosted on February 6 and 7 a symposium entitled, Equality, Dignity and Wellbeing: LGBTQIA+ Perspectives » on its campus at Flic-en-Flac.
The event was held in the presence of researchers, activists, human rights advocates, students, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, hailing from Mauritius, Madagascar, Botswana, Uganda, and South Africa.
Through research presentations, sharing of testimonial experiences, and discussions on concrete initiatives, the conference offers a unique space to exchange views on issues pertaining to rights, inclusion, and well-being of sexual minorities and gender.
During the opening ceremony, thePro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Director Professor Mari Jansen Van Rensburg emphasised the importance to pave the way for an environment deemed as safe and inclusive, where collaboration based on knowledge sharing can favor social change.
She recalled that despite progress on human rights, it’s essential to develop structured platforms that enable open discussion of strategies and practices to promote equality. For the first time, academics, students, and stakeholders from the EOC and NHRC, as well as NGO,s were able to hold direct talks on human rights and good inclusion practices.
Through the presentation of groundwork and participative research, the University has reiterated its commitment to equity, respect, and inclusion, bolstered by the Gold Award at the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2023 and the Bronze Award at the Race Equality Charter. This meeting showcases the potential for a collaborative space to strengthen mutual understanding and foster sustainable social transformation.
