Connexion Corner: ESDC's Monthly Learning Bulletin
November 2020 Edition
No matter your role within our department, you can find something to fit your unique needs and interests within Connexion Corner: your one-stop-shop for everything learning related at ESDC!
Diversity is a fact; inclusion is a responsibility
ESDC is a department that encourages inclusion and tolerance in its workplaces, and values different ideas and opinions from its employees. This month's theme, Kindness, Tolerance and Inclusivity, serves as a reminder to us all that we each have a role to play in creating a workplace that promotes inclusion and respects diversity, especially in these challenging times.
Ready to start learning? Browse the learning options below to register for the offerings of your choice, or send this page to your colleagues to make it a team event.
Spotlight on!
November 5 to 11 marks an important time for Canadians as we recognize Veterans' Week. November 8 marks National Indigenous Veterans' Day and Remembrance Day is commemorated on November 11. Although how we honour these important events may look a bit different this year, we can still pay tribute to those who served our country in the following ways:
- Participate in Veterans Affairs Canada's new podcast series Faces of Freedom and learn about the experiences Canadian Veterans through their stories. A series of 8 podcasts will be released over several weeks in November, so be sure to follow Veterans Affairs Canada's social media accounts so you don't miss out.
- Be sure to check out Honouring My Family's Sacrifices, written by ESDC's Lee Hyndman, to learn about the sacrifices made by Canada's Indigenous Peoples in the First and Second World Wars.
Explore these online learning offerings at anytime
- Sitting by the Fire episode 4: Indigenous Values and Teachings – A Lesson for All in Leadership
- Psychosocial factors: Civility and Respect
- Bridging the Diversity Gap (W003)
- Creating a Respectful Workplace (G417)
- Cultural Self-Reflection: What I Know and What I Don't Know (K099)
- First Nations in Canada (K101)
- Your Role in Workplace Diversity (W004)
- Understanding Unconscious Bias (W005)
- Leading Diversity (X166)
- Psychosocial factors: Recognition and Reward
- Tools, Training and Resources to Combat Racism & Discrimination in the Workplace
Do more learn more
Ask Coco!
Dear Coco,
With all of the unexpected changes that have happened this year, will employees still be required to complete Mandatory Training?
- What's Goin' On
Dear What's Goin' On,
All ESDC employees are still required to complete their Mandatory Training this year, but guess what? The deadline has been extended to March 31, 2021. So if you haven't had a chance to complete ESDC Mandatory Training Curriculum, you still have time!
With everything that's transpired this year, it may seem like a good time to take something like Mandatory Training, maybe, off the plates of employees. However, this mandatory learning may be more important now than ever as we navigate our changing environment and continue to best serve Canadians.
PS: Did you know that the Richness of our Differences (ROOD) Mandatory Training course will be replaced by the Richness of Diversity and Inclusion (RODI) in the near future? Be sure to tune in again next month for more updates!
Learn by participating in these national, virtual events
Communication skills and strategies and application to virtual modes
French Session: November 5, 2020, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
English Session: November 5, 2020, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
Learning Priority: Foundational Skills
- Description:
- The main objective of this conference is to provide an approach that focuses on contact, interaction and empathy to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of human communication and to develop techniques that will increase your impact and ability to influence in your social interactions. These techniques will also provide you with practical tools to help you be comfortable and effective in any type of social exchanges whether professional or personal. The conference will enable you to become more confident, effective and consistent in situations involving personal and professional issues and to learn how to adequately manage stressful situations. What you will be able to do with more efficiency : Develop the ability to understand other people's vision and show empathy, Understand the concept of emotional mathematics and apply it in your communications, Understand the basic biological mechanisms of communication and relationships and much more.
Register for Communication skills and strategies and application to virtual modes
The Contributions of Indigenous Peoples to Canada's Military History
Date: November 10, 2020
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM EDT
Language: English, with interpretation in French
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
- A discussion with Indigenous veteran John Jewitt, who will share stories on the history of Indigenous veterans and their military experience.
Register for The Contributions of Indigenous Peoples to Canada's Military History
Annual Digital Open Government Forum : Harnessing the Potential of Artificial Intelligence
Date: November 24, 2020
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST
Language: English, with interpretation in French
Learning Priority: Digital Mindset
- Description:
- Register today and learn more about AI technologies and how you can integrate it into your day-to-day work and life. Our experts will demystify AI and help you better understand its impacts and limitations, values and ethics, and rules and regulations so you can benefit from its potential.
Registration deadline: November 23, 2020, 4 pm
EXecuTALK: You May Be Right - The Power of Intellectual Humility Amongst Leaders
Date: November 30, 2020
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Language: English, with interpretation in French
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
- Leaders often carry the weight of expectations of those who look to them for all the answers. But what if the notion of an all-knowing leader is wrong?
- Evidence now shows that the most adaptive, collaborative and resilient organizations have leaders who are perceived as intellectually humble rather than as overconfident experts. In this EXecuTALK, Robert Richard, a faculty member with the US Centre for Leadership Development, will address why intellectual humility is an especially powerful tool for leaders today and explore how to be a more intellectually humble leader.
Register for EXecuTALK: You May Be Right - The Power of Intellectual Humility Amongst Leaders
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Virtual Kiosk
French Session: December 3, 2020, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT
English Session: December 3, 2020, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Learning Priority: Healthy and Inclusive Workplaces and Services
- Description:
- Join us during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to promote the right to equality and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and for a demonstration of adaptive equipment available to ESDC employees with disabilities and managed by the Accessibility Centre of Excellence's Loan Bank. To participate: Please select the Register button below to send us an email, notifying us of your interest to attend this event.
Coaching Summit
Date: December 7 – 11, 2020
Language: Available in English and French
Learning Priority: Management Leadership
- Description:
- The GoC Coaching Network offers you a free individual coaching session and webinars during the Coaching Summit from December 7th to 11th, 2020.
RSVP by November 27th, limited space available.
Try this!
Did you know that the Government of Canada will hire 5000 employees with disabilities within the next few years? Managers: you are responsible for creating an inclusive and accessible environment for your team and the IT Accessibility Office is here to support you in fulfilling your duties! Check out this Accessibility Guide for Hiring Managers to find out what resources are available for you and your employees with disabilities.
Sneak Peek
Your Connexion Corner theme for December is Transformation.
Please check back often for the latest updates!
- Invisible Disabilities… What are they and what can you do – December 1 (Bilingual) Register now!
- Engaging with Canadians Through Social Media – December 9 (Bilingual) Register now!
- 2020 Manion Lecture - From Trudeau to Trudeau: Reflections from Jeffrey Simpson on 45 years in Canadian Public Affairs – December 10 (Bilingual) Register now!