Some issues are so important, they are broadcast via blog, webcast, podcast and twitter — and the upcoming 2010 Diversity Conference will use all of the above.

“The point is to generate as much dialogue, and as much engagement as possible,” said Leah Staples of the Diversity Conference Planning Committee.

The annual conference, now in its third year, will dedicate two days to discussing issues of social justice through panels and keynote speakers. It begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, and closes at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12.

The conference is subtitled “International, Indigenous, Intersectional.”

“[The conference] will focus on really looking at Indigenous issues, as well as looking intersectionally through the lens of class, race, gender, sexuality and ability … and getting people to explore their social locations in relation to critical social justice issues,” said Staples, who is also a UVic Students’ Society Director-at-Large.

In line with the focus, the planning committee is doing whatever it takes to make the event as accessible as possible, an initiative that is helped by social media.

“We’re trying to use diverse forms of media this year — last year we did do podcasts of the conference, and it enabled people who could not attend the conference physically to engage and [hear] the keynotes and the panels,” she said. “It’s very accessible: there’s going to be a sign language interpreter [for some sessions], and all of these facilities are wheelchair accessible.”

Staples says the media used really incorporates the underlying theme of the conference — to reach out the people, and engage them.

What makes the conference so beneficial to students and the community, though, is that it will showcase the depth of research being done by faculty and students at UVic on every topic, says Staples.

For example, keynote speaker Christine O’Bonsawin will present “Declaring the Games open: The 2010 Vancouver Olympic ceremonies and the politics of Indigenous symbolism,” which is a timely look at the Olympics through an anti-racist, feminist lens, said Staples.

Lorna Williams, the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning, is the keynote speaker for “Diversity: The key to life, living, existence and community.”

In addition to presentations from great academics, there will be a series of panels for open discussion. The panels could allow for a great learning experience, said Staples, because it allows the audience to collaborate with experts.

One such panel is “Street stories: Building knowledge and capacity for change,” facilitated by Bernie Pauly. In addition to being an assistant professor at UVic’s School of Nursing, Pauly is a board director of the Victoria Cool Aid society.

One student panel is made up of international students who will seek to discuss what diversity means to them on the UVic campus, and how to better engage in “diverse social interactions.”

The conference will be held in the Michelle Pujol Room and the First Peoples House. Some panels will take place in the Grad Lounge or the Student Union Building’s (SUB) Upper Lounge.

The event is free, but attendees are asked to register beforehand on either day by 8:30 a.m., or online at web.uvic.ca/vpac/diversity/. Food and drinks will be provided.