I can't believe I just said that, but it's true. I have Trump  to thank for the inquiries I've received re my work in  diversity.  Lightning has not struck me down yet (for      having thanked Trump), so I'll continue.
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 I think it's safe to say that organizations overall believe  diversity training is a nicety, and not necessarily a priority. However, in the last few months things have changed. (I think). On that fated November 8, 2016 evening when the USA election brought us results we were not expecting, many Canadians started feeling a wide range of things, from disbelief and horror to sadness and bewilderment. From talk of the wall to legislating the ban, Mr. Trump gave permission for our 'dark side' to surface and the racism or the misogyny that we thought was not in us, raised its ugly head and struck. 

There is an increase in nastiness and bullying in classrooms, workplaces and public places. That is for sure. The leader of the free world is showing us how to lie, be tough and elevate the 'us vs them' argument  to a new height. Here in Canada, workplaces and schools are saying they want things to be different. They want to address the increased racial slurs, condescending comments, and verbal attacks they are witnessing. 

Canadians do not want the same thing to happen in  our country as is happening in USA.  Our reactive responses to this absurdity have been driven firstly by fear.  Then we moved to acts of civic mindfulness. Our collective fear was heightened with the election, the Trump rhetoric and the Quebec City shooting.  But we are choosing not to stay with fear, and are turning our attention to civic engagement, where through workshops, editorials, satire, arts & culture, Canadians are telling us they want to build a different kind of country, one that is welcoming, inclusive and equitable for all.

So, maybe in a twisted way, having Trump in power is making us more committed, participatory citizens (many Canadians were part of the women's march), and more conscious of what we want and don;t want here, and in the world. So, maybe in a twisted way, I have Trump to thank for the queries I'm getting at Diversity Matters about my work in diversity .

Mr Trump, I never thought I would thank you, but before I do . . . . I think I'll go shopping at Nordstrom.

Listen More. That is a tough one in this noisy world of ours.
Living and working in a diverse society means we are charting new terrain, with heaps of uncertainty as we figure things out along the way. Not sure how to make sense of diversity? Stop. Step back and listen more. Just listen.
Embracing diversity ain't no easy task, and it can be confusing when 'what we know to be true' is turned upside down. Listening needs to be developed not only for learning, but also for considering and responding to the points of views of others. An effective way to dialogue across our differences is to demonstrate self-restraint, so others have a turn to speak.  Demonstrating self-restraint is important, but it is just as important to listen with an open mind and an open heart. This is a good starting point.
Over the next few months I will be writing about the attitudes, awareness, values and skills we need to develop to live harmoniously in our increasingly diverse world.
Bonne Annee 2017 & Bonne Continuation.

Well, I am glad that someone said it. It's 2015 and we need to see more women in leadership roles. Simply put, Prime Minister Trudeau defended his decision to name a record number of women to cabinet because they are capable, and because it is about time. We may be the most multicultural country in the world, but when it comes to gender equity, we need to shake things up.

As a recent Globe & Mail editorial stated, not all women want to 'lean in'. Some are delighted doing their own thing, raising the kids, running the house. Some are delighted doing their own thing, running a company, pursuing a career. As progressive as we are in Canada, why is it that fewer women are in leadership roles than men? What's your guess?

This month Canada will be welcoming refugees to our country, with the hopes that one day they will be citizens who will participate in the active development of our country. Wouldn't it be nice if each refugee who arrives knows that they can participate and grow to their potential, no matter their gender. 

Ethnocultural communities across this country have a poor record of encouraging women in their communities to be leaders.  It's 2015. Let's shake things up.

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After last month's federal election, multiculturalism will not be a dirty word anymore. We can celebrate being who we want to be, and continue to participate in every aspect of society as proud Canadians. Now that sounds like the Canada I love.

For decades Canadians have been championing multiculturalism, and that is a good thing. However, I think we are also ready to start championing multilingualism. Our country is a bilingual one, and that is a good start. How about acknowledging that the languages we speak (much like the cultures and the faiths we practice) also have some value. In its own special way, the book The Best of All Worlds -Le meilleur monde imaginable does just that.

When a child sees her heritage language in the pages of a book, and that same book is shared at school, in the library, and with friends, then the child instinctively understands that his language is valued and his culture is important, not only within the confines of the home and family, but just as importantly within the larger multicultural, multilingual society.

I hope you will pick up a copy of the book to see what I mean. The Best of All Worlds - Le meilleur monde imaginable is available at AtOnePress.ca, Rainbow Caterpillar Bookshop or your local library. Ask for it. The stories will make your heart dance.
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We made it!  October 4 is the book launch.

It is hard to believe that we have made it to the finish line and the book will be out next week. The Best of All Worlds - Le meilleur monde imaginable will be launched on Sunday October 4 at Agincourt Library in Toronto. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO will be on hand to say a few words and there will be multilingual story time, refreshments, author & illustrator signings, and an interactive workshop on how to read multilingual books and fall in love with them. Grandparents, parents, teachers, children, community leaders - all are welcome as we celebrate this unique book and the first of its kind in Canada.
Each story is in its heritage language (Farsi, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Japanese), accompanied by an English and French translation. The illustrations are vibrant and they are all original.

It is 2015 and Canada is marking the 15th anniversary of UNESCO's International Mother Language Day with this inclusive and all-Canadian book. Sunday October 4th at 2:00, the Agincourt Library is where you want to be.

For more information, please visit At One Press.

I am honoured to receive the Ordine al Merito on May 29 from the National Congress of Italian Canadians (NCIC). There is no doubt that my heart is overflowing with gratitude for such a recognition.  I come from a culture where design, art and literature define us. I come from a culture where women are revered for their beauty, their confidence in the kitchen, and their sense of family loyalty.  For many women, the role of devoted daughter, wife and mother often eclipses the aspirations of professional dreams and personal goals.  

"The “Ordine Al Merito” is presented annually to an Italian Canadian who has made a considerable contribution to the Italian Canadian community and Canadian society as a whole. Italian Canadians have given of themselves for the enhancement of their cultural heritage and the betterment of Canadian society.  Those who have emerged above the average with distinction and pride in their work are the people who need to be recognized."

Five decades after the third wave of immigration from Italy, we are ready to make significant changes, and this award is one such step.  I commend the NCIC for making a statement about the changing role of women in our community.

I am first and foremost a mother, wife, and daughter. I am also an educator, writer, producer, director and a fierce advocate of diversity in this fabulous country of ours.  Thank you NCIC for this honour, which I will humbly accept on May 29.

Of course, there will be delicious food, speeches, lots of people and some tarantella dancing. So join us. It will be fun.

Click here for more info.

Seven Canadian authors wrote a children's story in their heritage language. Next, we translated each story (Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, Farsi) into English and French. We then went in search of talented Canadian illustrators to add their expertise to the mix. 

When you look at the video, you will see that this book is for everyone: for parents, grandparents, educators, French immersion students, ESL learners, multilingual families.  When I think about it, it seems fitting that The Best of All Worlds has a home in Canada, in a country where we try to make meaning of diversity, where we champion multilingualism and multiculturalism in our communities, our homes and our schools.
We are proud that The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is one of our biggest supporters.
 
So this is where we stand - we have ONE book, 7 original stories, each translated into English and French, and beautifully illustrated. All original and all Canadian. We are ready to go to print and need your help. 

This book pushes the boundaries on how we teach our kids and ourselves about one another. Let's get this book into as many Canadian homes as possible!   Kids deserve to see that no matter the language, culture, or place of birth, we are all equal. Please consider donating at: http://www.atonepress.ca/donate.html

Thank you for your support!

Diversity Matters, in partnership with Rainbow Caterpillar, will be announcing the young winner and talking about this special writing competition for kids on Friday November 14 at 11:00 a.m. at the Toronto International Book Fair.  The winner has been identified for the inaugural Rainbow Caterpillar Junior Writing Competition.
 
 Rainbow Caterpillar is a multilingual bookstore whose passion is bringing books to kids, their parents and grandparents in an array of languages. The Junior Writing Competition, launched in 2014, is for kids aged 8 – 13, who would like to write a story in their heritage language.  Diversity Matters, as part of the Giving Back initiative, is proud to support kids and sponsor the winning story, which will be presented on November 14 at the Toronto International Book Fair.
 
How do we make sense of diversity, of difference in race, faith, language?  How do we make diversity meaningful, so that it opens up our minds, makes us feel uncomfortable perhaps, teaches us something that we did not know? Books can take us to unknown worlds, and children’s books even more so.
 
Join Diversity Matters in getting kids on board to read and write in their heritage languages. Join us at the Toronto Book Fair as we celebrate kids and writing.