Cultural change is the process by which the values, beliefs, and norms of a society or group change over time. We at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre recognise that cultural change is a long-term process, and we are slowly adapting our core values and practices as part of a larger effort to be more inclusive and equitable across all our departments and areas of service. This can involve many elements such as the following:
- Challenging and Dismantling Harm: Dismantling harm is defined as taking apart the systems and structures in place that cause harm. This can be done at an individual, community, or institutional level. At an individual level, dismantling harm can mean challenging harmful beliefs and behaviours, and working to create a more just and equitable world. For example, dismantling harm could involve calling out racism, sexism, or homophobia when you see it, or working to challenge the systems that perpetuate these forms of oppression.
At a community level, dismantling harm can mean working to build a more inclusive and supportive community. This could involve creating safe spaces or affinity groups for people to come together and share their experiences, or working to address the root causes of harm, such as poverty or violence.
Dismantling harm is an ongoing process that includes educating and training members of our staff, volunteers and students about issues relating to diversity and inclusion, as well as safeguarding within our community to prevent harm. It is also where we can cultivate a culture where it is safe to speak up about experiences of harm, which can include prejudice or bias. This can help our community learn about the dynamics of power and privilege, the impact of discrimination, conscious and unconscious bias. This may also include partnering with other organisations or individuals who focus on amplifying the impact of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) related efforts.
- Accessibility: Working to make the centre more accessible to people from all backgrounds of mobility, whether it be physical ability or neurodivergence. This includes efforts to make our physical spaces more accessible to people with disabilities or mobility issues, as well as digital accessibility with our courses and educational programming.
- Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: As part of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives and long-term strategy at Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, we also aim to uphold our commitment to diversity and inclusion through our hiring and recruitment practices. We understand that there is immense value in diverse teams who bring a variety of perspectives and experiences to our community. We hope to continue building a community where all our staff, volunteers and students feel valued and respected, and that their experience as a member of the Jamyang London team is an empowering and affirming one.
