Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

September 30, 2005

Lecture to Discuss Canada's Response, Challenges of 2004 Tsunami

Canada’s response to the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami and the country’s commitment to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts is the topic of an Oct. 6 public lecture at the University of Guelph.

Hau Sing Tse, vice-president of the Asia branch of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will speak on rehabilitation and reconstruction progress and challenges at 5:30 p.m. in the Ontario Veterinary College’s Lifetime Learning Centre, Room 1714.

One of the worst natural disasters in history, the tsunami claimed about 300,000 lives and displaced more than one million people, according to the World Health Organization. The human, economic and environmental devastation caused by the tsunami has required unprecedented humanitarian efforts.

Tse was born in Canton, China, and grew up in Hong Kong. After joining CIDA in 1984, he work with its Pakistan and China programs and with the Canadian embassy in Beijing. He left CIDA for one year in 1996 to serve a policy adviser for the Privy Council Office.

His talk, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Ontario Agricultural College’s fall 2005 Public Lecture Series. Developed with support from alumni and friends, the series aims to promote better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of rapid change and global connectivity. It features distinguished speakers on issues related to agriculture, food, the environment and rural communities in Canada and around the world.

On Oct. 12, Lyle Vanclief, former federal Minister of Agriculture, will talk about challenges and realities in today’s agriculture industry. He will speak at 5:30 p.m. in the Lifetime Learning Centre.

The Lifetime Learning Centre is located off Gordon Street between College Avenue and Stone Road, with access via McGilvray Street. Parking is available directly adjacent to the building. There is no charge for parking after 5 p.m. For more information about the lecture series, contact Paula Conley, OAC dean’s office, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56513, or pconley@uoguelph.ca.