Africa Awareness Week

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. 

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 (Webcast Sponsored by the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre)

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

By stressing Africa’s impact on western higher education, the Africa Awareness Initiative (AAI) hopes that the university realizes the necessity of a stable African Studies Program. The presence of such notable speakers on campus shows that the University of British Columbia shows its continued dedication to follow through with the complete and justified ‘creation of global citizens.

For more information, please contact Allan Cho