The African Dream slogan and goals in essence restate long time goals of Africa Awareness. The importance of having an African Dream for UBC, however, is that it gives the executive of the organization goals that can be measured with numerical results. The Dream should allow Africa Awareness to maintain its focus in the following years until those goals are met. The Africa Awareness Initiative was founded in 2002 as a response to the lack of representation and intelligent dialogue of Africa on the University of British Columbia’s campus.
In general, Africa was rarely ever discussed in the Academic arena, and when it was, it was presented as a homogeneous and often negative entity. This was evidenced in the general lack of knowledge about Africa, the lack of attention given to contemporary African issues and initiatives, and the lack of African subject matter in courses at the university. It was thus through the collective efforts of members of the Vancouver community, the International House at UBC, the UBC World Universities Services Canada (WUSC) and concerned faculty members that Africa Awareness hosted its first conference.
Africa Awareness is committed to improving discourse surrounding including Africa at UBC. We aim to produce outstanding academic forums to encourage critical discussions pertaining to the relevance of the African continent, the Diaspora and its globalization. In order to realize our vision, our mission is to exceed the layperson’s expectations of how much Africa has to give to the world. We will accomplish this by presenting world-class African scholars, writers, artists and activists representative of the high standard of knowledge being produced about Africa.
Monday, January 16: Opening Night: The Africa in UBC (Webcast Sponsored by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre)
Keynote Speaker: High Commissioner of Lesotho in Canada, Her Excellency Dr. Mathabo Tsepa
An evening evaluating the African Studies Program at UBC complimented with cultural performances
Venue: Museum of Anthropology, Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Tuesday, January 17: Africa in Research
Guest Speakers: UBC Professor Dr. Gary Bull and AFRICAD
A look at the unparalleled importance of Africa’s ecosystems in today’s leading Environmental Research
Venue: The Global Lounge, Time: 12:00 – 1:30pm
Africa in Film – The First Grader
The inspiring true story of the struggles and triumphs of an 84 year old Kenyan fighting to receive elementary education
Venue: Global Lounge Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm
Wednesday, January 18: Open a Book, Read Africa
Keynote Speaker: NoViolet Bulawayo
Reflections on the importance of African Literature in Western Higher Education
Venue: Marine Drive Ballroom, Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Thursday, January 20: Revolution, African style
Guest Speakers: UBC Professors, Dr. Deborah Campbell and Dr. Taylor Owen
Panel Discussion on the innovations in the 2011 revolutions in North Africa
Venue: The Liu Institute, Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Artistic Night: Africa in Praise
Expressions of beauty and love for Africa through music, dance, poetry, and much more!
Venue: Abdul Ladha Lounge Time: 7:30pm onwards
Friday, January 20: Sikiliza: Africa in Rhythm
An entertaining Afro-fusion dance party to celebrate Africa
Venue: TBA, Time: 8:00pm onwards
UBC Library Resources
UBC African Studies Resource Guide - http://guides.library.ubc.ca/african_studies
African-Canadian Documentaries at the UBCO Library - http://wiki.ubc.ca/African-Canadian_Documentaries_at_the_UBCO_Library
For more information, please contact Allan Cho
