Trent Students Organize First Annual Colleges Connect Cultures Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Week of Events and Activities Designed to Foster Inclusivity
and Celebrate Diversity at Trent University; Colleges will Compete to Raise the Most Funds for Haiti Relief Efforts

Friday, January 22, 2010, Peterborough

The residential colleges of Trent University and the Trent International Students’ Association (TISA) are joining forces next week to deliver the first annual Colleges Connect Cultures Week, an initiative designed to foster inclusivity and celebrate diversity on campus through a variety of events and activities including roundtable discussions, educational talks and, of course, fun and games.

“This week is going to be epic,” says Greg Mountenay, prime minister of the Lady Eaton College Cabinet at Trent and one of the organizers for the event. “This marks the first time in many years, if ever, that the Colleges have worked so closely together to plan a series of events on campus. Also, working with so many different student groups has allowed us the opportunity to make friendships and connections throughout the international community.” 

Colleges Connect Cultures Week kicks off on Sunday, January 24 at 12 noon with the Opening Ceremonies and a snow flag-football tournament at the Athletics Stadium.

Colleges will also be competing throughout the week to see which College can raise the most money for Haiti relief efforts. At the end of the week, the winning College will be awarded a trophy, and a significant amount of College pride.

Other Colleges Connect Cultures Week events include:

• HOLA Salsa Lessons – Monday, January 25 at 4 -5 p.m., LEC Junior Common Room
• Educational talks:

• Dynamic Tension in the Canadian Mosaic – Dr. Michael Allcott, director of the Trent International Program – Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m., Morton Reading Room, Champlain College
• Rescuers in the Holocaust: The Quiet Heroes of WWII – Professor Carolyn Kay, Department of History – Wednesday, January 27 at 4 p.m., LEC Pit
• Making a Difference in Haiti: Longterm Development and Human Rights – Professor Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Department of International Development Studies and Anthony Anirud, LLM, Office of Human Rights – Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m., Champlain College Council Chambers 

• Global Games – showcasing children’s games from around the world – Friday, January 29 at 4 p.m., LEC Dining Hall
• Open Mic – Friday, January 29 at 8 p.m., Otonabee College Commons
• Roundtable discussions on marriage, family, home, and music
• Movie nights
• And more!

Colleges Connect Cultures Week initiative is run by each of the Residential College Cabinets with strong support from the Trent International Students’ Association (TISA). Other student groups that are involved include the Concurrent Education Student Association and the Trent Jewish Student Association, as well as the regional groups Hispanic Organization for Latin Awareness (HOLA), Trent University Chinese Students’ Association (TUCSA), South Asians’ Association at Trent (SAAT), and Trent African Caribbean Students Union (TACSU).

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For more information, please contact:
Greg Mountenay, Prime Minister, Lady Eaton College Cabinet, (705) 748-1011 x7252 or 705-930-5357 (cell)