Public school board hosts annual diversity conference

Some students from both Thunder Bay school boards took learning outside the classroom Wednesday.

The Lakehead Public Schools board hosted its annual Youth Embracing Diversity in Education conference, and for the first time opened it up to students from the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board as well.

The conference, for students in Grades 7 through 12, features workshops on disabilities, racism and multiculturalism, anti-homophobia, and poverty.

The YEDE conference has been running for four years now. Equity and Inclusion Working Committee chair Robin Cawlishaw said the students have a say in what topics are presented, so they'll take an active interest in what is being taught.

She added that the goal of the conference is to build character.

Cawlishaw said she hopes students will take the information back to their schools and become ambassadors for equality.