February 3, 2016 –Laurentian University is pleased to announce the appointment of Noël A. J. Badiou as Assistant Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Human Rights, effective April 1, 2016.
Reporting to both the Vice-President, Academic and Provost and the Vice-President, Administration, Mr. Badiou will lead the University community in fostering an inclusive and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff and faculty.
Mr. Badiou comes to Laurentian University from York University where he led the University’s Centre for Human Rights as Executive Director for the past seven and a half years. He was executive director and secretary for the Court Challenges Program of Canada from 2001 to 2008. Previously, Mr. Badiou was the manager of investigations and mediations for the Manitoba Human Rights Commission following his time as investigator with the Law Society of Manitoba.
“This is an important appointment for Laurentian University and we are delighted to have Noël join us in this new leadership role,” said Carol McAulay, Vice President Administration at Laurentian University. “He is an accomplished professional in the areas of equity, diversity and human rights and will be a tremendous asset to our community.”
One of Mr. Badiou’s important initiatives was to host and support several dialogue sessions to York’s campuses on sometimes controversial human rights related issues. In furthering this initiative, he volunteered as the unofficial secretary to York’s Standing Committee on Campus Dialogue. In 2014 he was recognized for his dedication to human rights at York University and received the President’s Leadership Award. Mr. Badiou completed his BA at the Collège Universitaire de Saint Boniface, an LL.B at l’École de Droit, Université de Moncton, and a MPA from the joint programme at University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg.
“I am impressed with Laurentian University’s vision and commitment to the values of diversity, equity and human rights which are very much in alignment with my own personal values and career goals. I feel quite privileged in being asked to take on this important inaugural role and look forward to learning from, and working with, new colleagues at Laurentian in exploring opportunities to partner and collaborate in advancing the university’s diversity and equity goals.” said Mr. Badiou.