Indo Canadian stage actor Ravi Jain, founder and director Why Not Theatre and a Dora Award winner, has added another accomplishment to his kitty. He is among the 25 aspiring builders in Toronto who have received the 2011 DiverseCity fellowship.
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As part of the fellowship, created three years back by the Maytree Foundation and Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance, Jain will have a year-long leadership position in networking with people of different backgrounds to work on how to make Toronto better and how to make the city work for its diverse populace.
"This programme was created to address the needs of diversity amongst leadership positions amongst all sectors in Toronto," Jain told India Abroad.
"The main objective was to address the issues of diversity at the leadership level amongst a cross section -- diversifying leaders in organiasations at the grass root and the corporate levels, diversifying in terms of role, age, gender, culture, colour, sexuality."
Among the first activities he will undertake in his new role is an interaction with more than 700 citizens at the Metro Toronto Convention Center this week. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is expected to attend the event.
"I really want to meet with people outside my sector," Jain said of his vision for the city, which pulled him back after his masters in arts and theater from Jacques Lecoq, Paris.
"I want to collaborate with people outside arts and culture and learn about how the city works. I am involved in community organising. So, after receiving the fellowship, I am learning how politics works; I am learning how to connect with people in different sectors, and learn more about that."
One of the early lessons that moved him came from a former DiverseCity fellow who was invited to speak to this year's candidates. It was the subject of affordable housing.
"I had no idea what affordable housing meant and how it affects people who live in those government-subsidised housing," Jain said.
"There's an issue of stigma around affordable housing, as many people have a negative attitude towards those who live in subsidising housing. It's sad how perception can change around it; how there's poor infrastructure where there are subsidised homes, and by putting them in one area you create ghettos. People from high income, middle income and low income should live together in one area."
He added that he would use this opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, linguistic and faith groups to help Toronto function better.
"It is great just to be able to connect with people, to learn more about how I can make a greater impact in my city and how I can help other cities as well."
Image: Actor Ravi Jain
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