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

Campus Bulletin

June 06, 2006

Event to Honour Human Rights Advocate Mu Sochua

Human rights advocate Mu Sochua, who is receiving an honorary degree from the University of Guelph during summer convocation, will be the guest of honour at a Toronto event June 17.

Mu Sochua will take part in a benefit evening for women's empowerment, HIV/AIDS, violence and trafficking in Cambodia, at Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. West, in Toronto.

A short clip of Mu Souchua’s recent anti-trafficking activities will be shown from the documentary Virgin Harvest. CBC's The National has also recently covered her anti-trafficking work in Cambodia.

Mu Sochua has been a human rights advocate speaking out against human trafficking, domestic violence and worker exploitation in Cambodia for more than 25 years. She has helped refugees in Thai border camps, was elected to Cambodia's national assembly and is the former minister of women's and veterans' affairs.

In 2005, she was recognized for her efforts with a humanitarian award from the Vital Voices Foundation, co-founded by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and was a co-nominee in 2005 for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The June 17 event also includes musical performances by the Khmer Folk Music Group of Toronto and Canadian folk-singer-songwriters Marie-Lynn Hammond, Connie Kaldor, Gwen Swick, and Caitlin Hanford.

In addition, Guelph psychology professor Ian Lubek, who co-ordinated the nomination for Mu Sochua’s honorary degree from Guelph, will speak on the health risks to beer promotion women and young persons in Cambodia. Mu Soucha will receive an honorary doctorate of laws June 14.

For more information, contact Lubek at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53980 or by e-mail, ilubek@uoguelph.ca