Peace Week 2011: A Time for Tolerance
November 07, 2011 - Campus Bulletin
Every year, Peace Week at the University of Guelph looks different, but its purpose remains the same – to promote peace and understanding among diverse people. From Nov. 9 to 16, students across campus will meet to share ideas and explore the meaning of peace in their lives, in our country and around the world.
The week-long series of peace-themed activities is co-ordinated by U of G’s Multi-Faith Resource Team (MFRT).
Noorain Shethwala, a second-year major in criminal justice and public policy, started attending Peace Week events in her first year. Now, as a student facilitator with the MFRT, she’s helping to organize Peace Week.
“I really believe in what Peace Week is all about,” Shethwala said. “It is important that people on campus work together to achieve peace. Not only is tolerance necessary in our community, but also acceptance. It is a perfect time to learn about the importance of diversity. Our goal is to raise awareness among students about historical events that have tragically affected so many. Hopefully, Peace Week will also ignite concern and get people involved in finding solutions for the conflicts happening around the world now.”
Jolène Labbé, a program facilitator, said the week celebrates students’ commitment to maintaining the University as a place of tolerance.
“This year’s Peace Week will be especially interesting because Holocaust Awareness Week, Diversity week, and Genocide Awareness Month are all taking place in the same time frame. We partnered with several different groups to offer a variety of relevant activities,” she said.
Participants in this year’s Peace Week include the Student Help and Advocacy Centre, the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity, Guelph Hillel and ECM-Campus Ubuntu (formerly Ecumenical Campus Ministries).
Highlights of Peace Week include a talk by holocaust survivor Vera Schiff, in Peter Clark Hall, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 10. On Nov. 13, The Help will be shown at 8 p.m. in War Memorial Hall – $3 for students, $5 for others.
Peace Week will end with an Ubuntu flash mob dancing to “We Want Peace” by Emmanuel Jal, Nov. 16, 12:20 p.m., in Branion Plaza.
More information is available online.
