Schema Magazine

Five years ago, I said to myself that if I was still doing the same work in five years, I was the wrong person for the job. Well things have changed! Diversity is top priority with our most senior management. It's part of the culture at every level of CBC. I've completed my task, this critical phase is done and it's now time for me to take a leap. Friday October 29th will be my last day.

This has been a great run, which began in October 2004 when I was first hired as a consultant to write the Regional Diversity Strategy for British Columbia. Since then ... some 300 diversity initiatives across the country.

It is a body of work I am very proud of. I'm told over and over that I've had an impact; that I've left a legacy. I truly hope so. There's been lots of change, and a lot of innovations that could have only happened at CBC. I am excited to know of how diversity will continue to grow to be a central part of CBC's programming priorities in the next five years. Watch for some ground-breaking things to come.

I plan to taking November off to spend time with my baby boy, who has just turned four months old. Then beginning on December 1st, I will be joining University of British Columbia. Below are excerpts of UBC President Stephen Toope's note that was sent out recently:

Subject: UBC Broadcast E-mail: Appointment of the Director, Intercultural Understanding Strategy Development (Vancouver Campus)

To: All Students, Faculty and Staff at the UBC Vancouver Campus

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Alden Habacon as Director, Intercultural Understanding Strategy Development (Vancouver).

Alden has been appointed for a two year term, starting December 1, 2010 to help develop and lead the early implementation of the University's commitment to intercultural understanding. Building on Place and Promise: The UBC Plan vision and values, he will engage students, staff, faculty and alumni to establish and articulate key actions on the intercultural understanding strategy for the Vancouver campus; and create and establish programs that empower others to promote intercultural understanding through their unique cultures and approaches.

Alden is an accomplished diversity and inclusion specialist, whose focus has been in embedding diversity in organizational cultures and harnessing diversity to achieve strategic goals.

....

As a public intellectual in the area of interculturalism in Canada and diversity in media, he is a sought-after speaker and consultant, having spoken across Canada and around the world. Alden also holds the position of Executive Director of the Laurier Institution, a 25-year old, national, non-profit organization committed to the study and advancement of knowledge about Canadian diversity, from its economic benefits to its social implications; and is the founder and Publisher of Schema Magazine (SchemaMag.ca), an online platform about 1.5-and Second-Generation Canadians.

Alden is very passionate about community involvement. He is the co-founder of the Asian Canadian Journalists Association in Vancouver and an active member of the Alliance of Filipino Associations (AFA) and the Responsive Society of Professionals for Empowerment and Collective Transformation (RESPECT).

Please join me in welcoming Alden to UBC.

Stephen J. Toope,
President and Vice-Chancellor

As noted, I will also be taking on the role of Executive Director of the Laurier Institution, a 25-year old, national, non-profit organization committed to the study and advancement of knowledge about Canadian diversity, "from its economic benefits to its social implications."

In addition to this, I will be returning to my position as Publisher of Schema Magazine (I had stepped down when I joined CBC). And to accommodate consulting and speaking requests, I am establishing a small management consulting company on the side. I will be continuing my community work with the Asian Canadian Journalists Association in Vancouver, the Alliance of Filipino Associations with MLA Mable Elmore, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, the national alliance of Asian heritage month societies and the Technology Committee of the Vancouver International Writers' Festival.

The diversity file at CBC is in very good hands. Kim Clark is now the Director on Diversity and Inclusion for CBC, and it has champions like Christine WIlson and Denise Donlon, who are not only Senior Executives, but genuine powerhouses, drivers of change, builders of people and passionate about public broadcasting.

To the many at CBC who have been a part of my work—the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Joint Employment Equity Committee—thank you for being my collaborators, champions, cheerleaders, and most of all, for being the leadership that didn't just acknowledge diversity, but made sure diversity was a critical part of the success of Canada's public broadcaster.

I am SO proud to have worked with, and in some cases, for you. I want especially thank the family at CBC Vancouver, from where I worked most of the time, and where we piloted so many innovative and meaningful initiatives.

I owe the entire CBC family much for the opportunity to serve the Canadian public in my constantly evolving role. Thank you all for being such an important part of my career. It truly has been an honour.