In November 2022, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Genetics (CIHR-IG) and the McGill CERC in Genomic Medicine, in partnership with Genome Canada and Genome Québec, organized an international two-day online symposium on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Genomics entitled: "Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada (AEG2C Symposium)".
The AEG2C symposium highlighted the importance and value of inclusion and diversity in genomics to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms and promote health equity. Members of the genetic and genomic community shared best practices for building a research enterprise that is diverse, inclusive, and beneficial to all, emphasizing that equitable approaches lead to better health outcomes. Lessons learned from international initiatives and Canadian studies were showcased, highlighting the need to engage diverse populations, seek input from multiple perspectives, and tailor policies and strategies to individual needs.
The full Report Summary is now available upon request at: info@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. More information here.
What's Next?
Building on the success and learnings inspired by this first edition, a second AEG2C symposium will be held on October 19-20, 2026. More information will be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned!