Events Aim to Foster Citizenship, Spur Social Action
January 21, 2010 - News Release
Leadership and Community Engagement in Student Life is hosting the Civic Imprints Week of Action Jan. 25 to 31 to ignite and foster global citizenship on campus. Donations collected during the week will go towards Doctors Without Borders' efforts in Haiti.
The week kicks off Jan. 25 with a screening of Prom Night in Mississippi at War Memorial Hall at 6:30 p.m. This film documents the students of Charleston High School as they experience the school’s first ever racially integrated prom in 2008. The director and producer of the film will be at the screening to answer questions.
On Jan. 26, a poetry slam begins at 8 p.m. at the Bullring. Registration is from 7 to 7:45 p.m. The event is an opportunity for people to share and hear ideas through poetry. Featured poet Dave Hudson will perform between slam rounds. A University of Guelph librarian, Hudson has performed across the province at events such as the Hillside Festival and the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival. The winner of the poetry slam contest will receive a $200 donation in their name to a local charity of their choice and will have an opportunity to perform on the CFRU show The Poem Repair Shop.
Other activities planned for the week include presentations and panel discussions on the realities of refugee camps and the rights of migrant workers, leadership workshops and a student involvement fair.
The week will wrap up with the fourth annual Positive Social Action Conference Jan. 29 to 31. Organized by Student Volunteer Connections, the free conference aims to spur social action through innovative teachings, social networking and hands-on community participation.
“This conference will get students on their feet, engaging in their passions and starting the new year off ready to make a difference in their world,” said Jordan Thompson, program co-ordinator for Student Volunteer Connections.
Highlights include a Friday night keynote address by Marva Wisdom, a community trainer and volunteer expert, followed by a performance by Free the Children singer Louise Kent.
Saturday afternoon features a talk by Ray Zahab, a world adventurer who was the first person to successfully run across the Sahara Desert and Antartica.
Sessions that morning and afternoon will focus on environmental sustainability, poverty, and health and wellness. Speakers include Gulu Walk founders Adrian Bradbury and Kieran Hayward and the national executive director of Meal Exchange, Dave Kranenburg.
On Sunday, president Alastair Summerlee will address students before they participate in a morning of community outreach. Later that afternoon, Mr. Something Something, the only Canadian band whose entire performance is operated by bicycle power, will take the stage.
More information and registration details are available online.
For more information on the Civic Imprints Week of Action, contact Janet Doner at jdoner@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-4210, Ext. 52782.
For media questions, Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, Ext. 53338, lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982, d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca
