2025

Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week

Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week 2025

‘The world is now in greater need than ever for men and women of peace to stand up and let their voices be heard and their commitment felt’ - Nelson Mandela

We are delighted to announce that Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week will occur on campus from 18th – 21st March this year. This week of events is programmed to coincide with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, annually observed on March 21st.

If you are attending an event during the week, we encourage you to wear red to show solidarity with the Wear Red Day Campaign organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, 18th March

Time/Venue		Event
11.30 - 13.00 CA239e, Deloitte Zone, Biz Hub, Áras Cairne		Opening Ceremony The Office of the Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, cordially invite you to the University of Galway’s Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week Opening Ceremony. The South African Ambassador to Ireland, Mrs Nicolette Schreiber will present the inaugural Nelson Mandela Leadership Award and Councillor Helen Ogbu will officially launch the Nelson Mandela Fund. Followed by a panel discussion with University of Sanctuary Scholars chaired by Aoife Cooke, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Light refreshments will be available and to register see here.
On campus or Online		Wear Red Day Campaign – Show your support by wearing red! Wear Red During Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week. The Wear Red Day 2025 will take place on Friday 21 March 2025, the Immigrant Council of Ireland are asking everyone to Wear Red for the day to send out a strong message that we as a community welcome diversity, celebrate it, and take a stand against racism in all forms. To show your support take a picture of you and/or your colleagues wearing red and send it to the Immigrant Council of Ireland via email (theredcard@immigrantcouncil.ie), or share on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, X or Linkedin) tagging the Immigrant Council of Ireland and University of Galway on your post. Use the hashtag #WRD25

Time/Venue

Event

11.30 - 13.00

CA239e, Deloitte Zone, Biz Hub, Áras Cairne

Opening Ceremony

The Office of the Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, cordially invite you to the University of Galway’s Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week Opening Ceremony. The South African Ambassador to Ireland, Mrs Nicolette Schreiber will present the inaugural Nelson Mandela Leadership Award and Councillor Helen Ogbu will officially launch the Nelson Mandela Fund. Followed by a panel discussion with University of Sanctuary Scholars chaired by Aoife Cooke, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Light refreshments will be available and to register see here.

On campus or Online

Wear Red Day Campaign – Show your support by wearing red!

Wear Red During Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week.

The Wear Red Day 2025 will take place on Friday 21 March 2025, the Immigrant Council of Ireland are asking everyone to Wear Red for the day to send out a strong message that we as a community welcome diversity, celebrate it, and take a stand against racism in all forms. To show your support take a picture of you and/or your colleagues wearing red and send it to the Immigrant Council of Ireland via email (theredcard@immigrantcouncil.ie), or share on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, X or Linkedin) tagging the Immigrant Council of Ireland and University of Galway on your post. Use the hashtag #WRD25

Wednesday, 19th March

Time/Venue	Event
	Launch of Race Equality Champions Forum Race Equality Champions Forum aims to create a safe informative space for minority ethnic staff, students and allies to come together to champion race equality by promoting awareness, advocating for systemic change and empowering our university community to embrace equality and human rights as fundamental values. Meetings will be quarterly with thematic sessions aligning with the Forum’s objectives and the Race Equality Framework & Action Plan 2023-2027.  The Forum is a subcommittee of the Race Equality Committee, a subcommittee of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Campus Committee, that advise on the extensive race equality programme of work at University of Galway. Staff and students at the University of Galway are welcome to join the Forum, regardless of their ethnic background and see here.
12.00 - 14.00 The Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn	College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences Event Wear Red Day: Unite against Racism with Coffee and Culture! Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community. This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!
14.30 - 16.30 The Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn	International Staff Network and the Researchers Network Event Living & Working Abroad: Different Paths, Shared Experiences The International Staff Network and the Researchers Network invite staff and students to two hours of celebration. We share stories of who we are, why we came, what it means to arrive in a new country, and what an international campus brings to University of Galway and the City. We are happy to talk to Irish staff and students who also consider living abroad temporarily or permanently or who are just curious about living as a global citizen in Galway. Everyone is welcome to share their story. Refreshments will be available.
14.30 - 16.30 Foyer, Psychology Building	College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies Event Wear Red Day: Be Informed, Be Anti-Racist with Snacks and Tea! Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community. This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!
Special Collections Room, Hardiman Library	EXHIBITION - Mincéirs Archives The collection contains items related to Traveller human rights, education, employment, accommodation, music, folklore and photographs of the community.

Time/Venue

Event

Launch of Race Equality Champions Forum

Race Equality Champions Forum aims to create a safe informative space for minority ethnic staff, students and allies to come together to champion race equality by promoting awareness, advocating for systemic change and empowering our university community to embrace equality and human rights as fundamental values. Meetings will be quarterly with thematic sessions aligning with the Forum’s objectives and the Race Equality Framework & Action Plan 2023-2027.  The Forum is a subcommittee of the Race Equality Committee, a subcommittee of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Campus Committee, that advise on the extensive race equality programme of work at University of Galway.

Staff and students at the University of Galway are welcome to join the Forum, regardless of their ethnic background and see here.

12.00 - 14.00

The Hub, Áras na Mac Léinn

College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences Event

Wear Red Day: Unite against Racism with Coffee and Culture!

Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community.

This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!

14.30 - 16.30

The Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn

International Staff Network and the Researchers Network Event

Living & Working Abroad: Different Paths, Shared Experiences

The International Staff Network and the Researchers Network invite staff and students to two hours of celebration. We share stories of who we are, why we came, what it means to arrive in a new country, and what an international campus brings to University of Galway and the City. We are happy to talk to Irish staff and students who also consider living abroad temporarily or permanently or who are just curious about living as a global citizen in Galway. Everyone is welcome to share their story. Refreshments will be available.

14.30 - 16.30

Foyer, Psychology Building

College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies Event

Wear Red Day: Be Informed, Be Anti-Racist with Snacks and Tea!

Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community.

This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!

Special Collections Room, Hardiman Library

EXHIBITION - Mincéirs Archives

The collection contains items related to Traveller human rights, education, employment, accommodation, music, folklore and photographs of the community.

Thursday, 20th March

Time/Venue	Event
12.00 - 14.00 The Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn	College of Science and Engineering Event Wear Red Day: Fusion Fest: Cultures in Harmony! Join us for an exciting celebration of cultural diversity at the Fusion Fest: Cultures in Harmony! This special event is an opportunity for staff and students from all backgrounds to come together, embrace our differences, and showcase the richness of our global community. Take the Stage! Got a cultural tradition, dance, music, or story to share? Enjoy 5 minutes to proudly present your unique heritage—whether through words, music, art, or performance! Dress to Impress! Wear your traditional cultural attire and something RED to show solidarity in our shared commitment to ending racism in our university. Bring a Friend! The more, the merrier! Let’s celebrate, learn, and connect in an atmosphere of inclusion and appreciation. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!
14.00- 16.00 Location to be advised	Workshop: Realities of International Protection in Ireland: History and global context An interactive workshop on international protection in Ireland, exploring its historical and global contexts while debunking common myths.
E-Learning Module	Let's Talk about Race in the Higher Education Sector The online training programme Let’s Talk About Race in the Higher Education Sector is available here to register, sign in and complete this course. This course for staff is a key initiative in building the race equality understanding and competence required to achieve systemic change. Listen here to some of the voices involved in the training programme. This specifically commissioned module complements the existing race equality programme of work that we undertake at University of Galway.

Time/Venue

Event

12.00 - 14.00

The Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn

College of Science and Engineering Event

Wear Red Day: Fusion Fest: Cultures in Harmony!

Join us for an exciting celebration of cultural diversity at the Fusion Fest: Cultures in Harmony! This special event is an opportunity for staff and students from all backgrounds to come together, embrace our differences, and showcase the richness of our global community.

Take the Stage! Got a cultural tradition, dance, music, or story to share? Enjoy 5 minutes to proudly present your unique heritage—whether through words, music, art, or performance!

Dress to Impress! Wear your traditional cultural attire and something RED to show solidarity in our shared commitment to ending racism in our university.

Bring a Friend! The more, the merrier! Let’s celebrate, learn, and connect in an atmosphere of inclusion and appreciation.

Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!

14.00- 16.00

Location to be advised

Workshop: Realities of International Protection in Ireland: History and global context

An interactive workshop on international protection in Ireland, exploring its historical and global contexts while debunking common myths.

E-Learning Module

Let's Talk about Race in the Higher Education Sector

The online training programme Let’s Talk About Race in the Higher Education Sector is available here to register, sign in and complete this course. This course for staff is a key initiative in building the race equality understanding and competence required to achieve systemic change.

Listen here to some of the voices involved in the training programme. This specifically commissioned module complements the existing race equality programme of work that we undertake at University of Galway.

Friday, 21st March

Time/Venue	Event
10.00 – 16.00 CA239e, Deloitte Zone, Biz Hub, Áras Cairn	International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Staff Race Equality Training This one-day interactive workshop will equip staff with knowledge, awareness, and actionable steps to promote race equality and contribute to a more inclusive campus community. It begins by exploring the journey toward race equality in higher education (HE) and society in Ireland. Participants will also discuss language complexities related to race, racism, and inequality. To register please visit: Core Portal.
13.00 - 14.00 Friars Restaurant	College of Business, Public Policy & Law Event Wear Red Day: Learn More About Race Equality with Food & Allies! Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community. This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!
E-Learning Module	EDI TiLT Training for Students TiLT is a digital role-play training platform that enhances and measures diversity and inclusion (D&I) performance in Universities. This immersive experience fosters empathy, teaches strategies for inclusive interactions, and promotes mindfulness, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic culture among students. The TiLT roleplay game is now available on Canvas on this link.
18.00 - 20.30 HBB G019 Large Lecture Theatre	*Upholding Palestinian Rights: Academic Complicity, Legal Accountability, and Ethical Responsibility* With Ms. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and special guest speaker Omar Barghouti. Palestine Solidarity Student Society Register here

Time/Venue

Event

10.00 – 16.00

CA239e, Deloitte Zone, Biz Hub, Áras Cairn

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Staff Race Equality Training

This one-day interactive workshop will equip staff with knowledge, awareness, and actionable steps to promote race equality and contribute to a more inclusive campus community. It begins by exploring the journey toward race equality in higher education (HE) and society in Ireland. Participants will also discuss language complexities related to race, racism, and inequality.

To register please visit: Core Portal.

13.00 - 14.00

Friars Restaurant

College of Business, Public Policy & Law Event

Wear Red Day: Learn More About Race Equality with Food & Allies!

Join us for a special Wear Red Day event as we stand together against racism and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our university community.

This event is a space to connect, celebrate different cultures and show support for an inclusive and welcoming campus. Free refreshments and all students and staff welcome!

E-Learning Module

EDI TiLT Training for Students

TiLT is a digital role-play training platform that enhances and measures diversity and inclusion (D&I) performance in Universities.

This immersive experience fosters empathy, teaches strategies for inclusive interactions, and promotes mindfulness, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic culture among students. The TiLT roleplay game is now available on Canvas on this link.

18.00 - 20.30

HBB G019 Large Lecture Theatre

Upholding Palestinian Rights: Academic Complicity, Legal Accountability, and Ethical Responsibility

With Ms. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and special guest speaker Omar Barghouti.

Palestine Solidarity Student Society