The University of the Sunshine Coast will mark National Sorry Day tomorrow (Tuesday 26 May) with a special event planned as part of the University’s inaugural Diversity Week.

Aunty Judi Wickes, the granddaughter of two Stolen Generation children and a social worker who was a member of the original Sorry Day Committee, will present a keynote speech on campus at 10.15am.

Another Diversity Week activity tomorrow will be a presentation by Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Kevin Cocks AM from 4-6pm at an event planned by the USC Student Law Society.

Mr Cocks will discuss his experiences and the state of diversity in Australia before answering questions on the topic of “Diversity and Equity in Everyday Life”.

USC’s Diversity Week from 25-29 May began this morning with a breakfast of 260 people celebrating equity initiatives for students and a speech by Alan Le May, the Queensland General Manager of The Smith Family.

Themed “The Diversity of Us” to reflect inclusion, the week of activities aims to focus on the benefits of encouraging diversity at USC and across the wider community.

It is bringing together related national awareness days as students, staff and interested members of the public discuss issues and enjoy events and entertainment from a “roaming art canvas” created by USC Occupational Therapy students to a “free barbecue of worldly flavours” hosted by the USC Student Guild.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said diversity enriched our personal, professional, academic and social lives.

“This University is committed to the principles of equity and freedom from discrimination in employment and education,” he said. “Diversity Week 2015 will showcase the contributions of our students, staff and alumni and encourage creative conversations about equity and inclusion.”

On Wednesday 27 May a panel discussion on human rights from 4-6pm will include academics from the Curtin University Centre for Human Rights Education, including author and Emeritus Professor Jim Ife, alongside USC Indigenous Studies Lecturer Dr Debra Dank. It will be presented by USC’s Social Work discipline.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, students will flock to the Uni Club for the free “worldly flavours” barbecue from 11am to 2pm.

Twilight markets at the USC Gallery on Thursday 28 May from 6-8pm will offer music, stalls and Soap Box, following a presentation by the USC Ally Network in Building E from 2-4pm on sexuality and gender identity.

Daily activities will include interactive displays by USC’s Buranga Centre at the Brasserie, Indonesian cultural displays by the USC Bahasa Community, Turkish food and conversation, and sports like wheelchair basketball at the USC Stadium.

USC Gympie and USC SouthBank will hold Diversity Week lunches at their locations.

For details go to the website or email Student Equity and Diversity Adviser Marj Blowers on mblowers@usc.edu.au