U of G Represented at Guelph Lecture on Being Canadian
November 03, 2006 - News Release
The University of Guelph will once again play an active role in The Guelph Lecture — On Being Canadian being held Nov. 10 at the River Run Centre. The pre-show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 7 p.m. The annual event features literary and musical performances and a lecture that aims to inspire community conversation on what it means to be Canadian and Canada’s role in the world.
This year’s lecture focuses on Canada’s foreign policy and will feature Louise Fréchette, the first deputy secretary general of the United Nations, and Brian Stewart, a foreign affairs analyst and senior correspondent for CBC’s The National and host of CBC’s Our World, a weekly current affairs program.
Before the lecture, vocalist Ndidi Onukwulu and guitarist Madagascar Slim will perform with their band, and U of G president Alastair Summerlee will give a welcoming introduction.
“The Guelph Lecture is a wonderful opportunity for people with different perspectives and experiences to come together to exchange ideas and work to evoke change,” Summerlee said.
The 7 p.m. event officially begins with a performance by Diane Nalini, a jazz singer/songwriter and U of G physics professor. She will perform selections from her third and latest album, Songs of Sweet Fire, a collection of sonnets and songs from the plays of William Shakespeare that she has set to original jazz, funk and blues music. The CD is available in the University Bookstore and at the Twelfth Night Music Shoppe in downtown Guelph.
In addition, renowned Canadian actor Martha Henry, who is often referred to as “the first lady of the Canadian stage,” will read selected passages from Shakespeare. Since her debut at the Stratford Festival in 1962, Henry has played dozens of leading roles.
Nalini and Henry’s appearances are in honour of “Shakespeare — Made in Canada,” a major cultural festival sponsored by U of G that will feature theatrical performances, an art\museum exhibition, a speakers’ series and many more community events starting in January 2007.
After the performances, Fréchette will give the keynote address in conversation with Stewart. Fréchette, who was the UN’s deputy secretary general from 1997 to 2005, has also been named one of the 100 most influential women in the world by Forbes magazine.
Previously, she served as Canada’s assistant deputy minister for economic policy and trade competitiveness; ambassador to the UN; ambassador to Argentina; associate deputy minister of finance; deputy minister of national defence; and assistant deputy minister for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo.
The Guelph Lecture — On Being Canadian is organized by the Eramosa Institute, a local charitable organization that promotes greater understanding of ideas and issues of concern to Canadians. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for students, and are available online or by calling the River Run Centre box office at 519-763-3000.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, Ext. 56982.
