Human Rights Initiatives Award

2024: Queen's Hospitality Services

Members of Queen's Hospitality Services

Queen’s Hospitality Services was presented with the Human Rights Initiative Award based on initiatives the unit championed to create a more welcoming and sustainable campus community. The unit has actively supported different cultures through dining, including supporting community members observing Passover and Ramadan, in addition to incorporating Indigenous dishes within its menus.

The team also fostered a culture of sustainability with its Good to Go (reusable container) initiative, waste diversion, and farm donations, among other projects. Hospitality Services also supported food security for students through the Swipe it Forward program and the PEACH pilot project.

Photo: Queen's Hospitality Services team members (starting from second left), Jennifer Pete, Katherine Newstead, Colin Johnson, Theresa Couto and Carl Hanna, are recognized for receiving the Human Rights Initiative Award from Stephanie Simpson, Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion).

Background and Eligibility

The Queen's Human Rights Initiative Award is given annually in recognition of initiatives that have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of equality and human rights at Queen's University.

Nominations for the Queen's Human Rights Initiative Award will be considered on the basis of four criteria:

  • The originality of the initiative
  • Its positive impact on the University Community,
  • its sustainability and;
  • how it has encouraged partnerships/cooperation among community constituents.

2022: The Agnes Etherington Art Centre

The Agnes is a leader in cultural change that deepens relationships with Indigenous and racialized persons, witnessed through the incredible outdoor installations and ground-breaking exhibitions by a diverse range of artists. The outstanding efforts by Curator, Emilie Chhangur, of bringing in Artists who accelerate the impact of the gallery’s vision and mission taking The Agnes into a different direction and bringing The Agnes into the 21st century.

2019: Edward Thomas, Mala Joneja, and Richard Reznickhe

With a passion for social justice, and notable skill as a journalist and researcher, Edward Thomas, on his own initiative, led an investigation into the true story behind the 20th century ban of black medical students at Queen’s. The disturbing facts he unearthed further fueled his resolve to seek recognition and recourse for the individuals and families affected by this blatant act of racism. Displaying courageous leadership, Richard Reznick acted expeditiously to redress historical wrongs by establishing the Commission and setting an outstanding example of what is possible when community members, researchers and institutional leaders resolve to tackle the complexities of oppression, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Mala Joneja who has taken a strong leadership role on the Commission, has been instrumental in developing several initiatives, including a mentorship program for black medical students. She has also guided the planning, design and installation of a plinth which will serve as a permanent marker of the historic ban and ensure that the legacy of the affected students is never forgotten.

 

Patrick Dean, Principal and Vice-Chancellor provides background on the 2019 Human Rights Initiative Award and the Commission on Black Medical Students. | Photo Credit: Queen’s University 2020.
Patrick Dean, Principal and Vice-Chancellor provides background on the 2019 Human Rights Initiative Award and the Commission on Black Medical Students. | Photo Credit: Queen’s University 2020.

2018 Alana Butler

2017 Tricia Baldwin

2016 Diane Kelly / Hafizur Rahman (Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Rights)

2015 Kahswentha Indigenous Knowledge Initiative (KIKI)

2014 African & Caribbean Students Association

2013 CFRC - Queen's Campus Radio Station

2012 Anti Stigma Workshops in Residence, HCDS Peer Educators, AMS Social Issues Commission,Residence Life

2011 EQUIP Queerientation

2002 Peer education program on sexual assault, Residence Life Office

2010 Queen's Heath and Human Rights Conference, HHRC Team, Queen's School of Medicine

2009 QUIC English Language Group

2008 Campaign for a Hate-free campus, Queen's University Muslim Students Association

2007 Four Directions Indigenous Centre

2005 Accessibility Queen's

2004 Reelout Queer Festival Services

2003 Educational outreach program, HIV/AIDS Regional Services

2002 Peer education program on sexual assault, Residence Life Office