The City of Airdrie officially joined the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (CIM), a network of Canadian cities that have pledged to become more inclusive, with the signing of a declaration on Feb. 12 during a ceremony at City Hall.
Airdrie City council voted unanimously to join the CIM in November 2022, as part of their commitment to removing social and physical barriers to equity and inclusion in the community.
To celebrate the signing of the declaration on Friday, City councillors were joined by members of several local organizations that aim to complete important work in the areas of equity and inclusion.
“By joining the CIM, we will be part of a group of communities from across Canada who have experiences with the challenges we face as we work towards fostering a welcoming city for all,” said Pauline Clark, City of Airdrie team leader of social planning, in a City press release.
“Through the coalition, we will have access to knowledge and resources that will help us address these challenges and eliminate racism and other forms of discrimination.”
The CIM is a network of Canadian cities that have pledged to improve their practices promoting social inclusion, establish policies to eradicate racism and discrimination, and promote human rights and diversity.
According to The Canadian Commision for UNESCO’s website, the network brings together municipalities that share a common goal and desire to improve their policies against racism, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance.
“Its strength lies in the shared experiences of its members,” read a statement on the website. “Together, the municipalities undertake initiatives to eliminate all forms of discrimination with a view to building open and inclusive societies.”
Just shy of 100 Canadian cities have joined the CIM, including 19 cities in Alberta. The network of 96 Canadian cities has pledged to improve their own practices to promote social inclusion, establish policies to eradicate racism and discrimination, and promote human rights and diversity.
“We are excited to be joining the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities,” said Mayor Peter Brown in the same press release. “In joining this coalition, we gain skills and knowledge that will help us work together with our local community partners and continue to make Airdrie an inclusive and safe place for all.”
Deputy Mayor Heather Spearman has been selected as the City’s representative to the coalition of communities and will be championing the initiative locally.
“It will be my pleasure to take on this role to share learnings and announcements from the network, and keep the city engaged and informed in the action plan moving forward,” Spearman said in the press statement.
According to the UNESCO website, the network advances initiatives to improve their practices to promote social inclusion, establish policies to eradicate all forms of racism and discrimination, promote human rights and diversity.
"The cities follow through on the Coalition’s commitments for respecting, protecting and promoting human rights and diversity,” read the website.
“Because it values and respects all its members, an inclusive municipality builds a society without fences, where everyone has an equal chance at participating in its economic, political, social, cultural and recreational life, and to thrive there.”
