We at UW Study Abroad add our voices to others at UW-Madison in condemning the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless other black individuals. We have witnessed protests both at home and abroad and acknowledge the systemic racism that exists in the United States and abroad.
UW Study Abroad has a Commitment to Diversity and we believe in the importance of connecting people at home and abroad, which we hope build bridges for better understanding between cultures and among people. Diverse perspectives and experiences makes us stronger. We have and continue to work to increase access for historically underrepresented students, and we have much more work to do. We also understand having a Commitment to Diversity statement is not enough and pledge to:
- Acknowledge how we as individuals, and as a team, contribute to systemic racism,
- Learn how to better uproot racism in our work and improve our structures and systems
- Listen to marginalized voices,
- Practice empathy and,
- Take personal and collective action.
We stand by our students and colleagues of color as we as a community advance healing, reconciliation, and justice.
Read the full statement released by UW International Academic Programs here.