International Development Week Canada’s role in international development to be examined The Canadian government commits millions of dollars in foreign aid every year to a number of countries, in addition to supporting UN initiatives in aid and peacekeeping, but many Canadians are unaware of what that money helps to achieve. The UCFV International Education department is observing International Development Week, February 6-12, with a number of special projects at the Abbotsford campus to increase local | awareness of Canada’s involvement in international development. “T felt that it was very important in view of what has happened in Somalia, Sarajevo and other places, to provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about Canada’s role in international development,” says International Education program assistant Linda Toews, who is coordinating the week’s activities. ‘Whether or not you are aware of and/or support Canada’s involvement in international development, there are connections to local and personal issues,” Toews says. Funding assistance for these events is being provided by the Canadian International Development Agency, Association of Community Colleges, and Public Participation Program. The week’s activities will culminate on Saturday, February 12, with a day-long conference at the Abbotsford campus entitled A Look at Canada’s Involvement in International Development, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. The conference will feature - speakers, panel forums, awareness displays, an art exhibit, ethnic lunch and . entertainment. The registration deadline for the mini-conference is February 7 and you may register at any UCFV centre. Early registration is advised as seating is limited. The $10 fee includes an ethnic lunch and entertainment. “Some people are wondering if the humanitarian belief that the more affluent, developed nations of the world have a responsibility to help less fortunate people and nations is realistic in today’s economy,” says Toews. “That will certainly be one of the issues raised along with many others Ron Dart, a sociology and political science instructor at UCFV who was on the staff of Amnesty International for five years, will act as moderator. “This conference is very important,” says Dart. “I think everyone needs to take an interest in our country’s foreign policies. Some of the countries we give the most money to have the poorest human rights records. Do we want our government spending our tax dollars in those countries? “It’s very important, in view of what has happened in Somalia, Sarajevo and other places, to provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about Canada’s role in international development” —Linda Toews “The world has changed. We need to take a look at Canada’s role in international development historically and currently.” Gulzar Samji of the Vancouver United Nations Association will be on one of the panels at the conference. She will also speak to the UCFV’s Women’s Issues Network on Friday, Feb. 11, at noon in E245/46 about the UN conference on women to be held in Bejing in 1995. Everyone welcome. “IT was born in Africa and I have seen first hand the effects of aid on third world countries,” says Samji. “Since living in Canada I have seen first hand the policies of foreign aid and I can connect the two. I feel a need to speak for third world countries. Many people wonder where the money goes and why we don’t see more results from our foreign aid. Those countries do appreciate what Canada is doing but they are very often limited by the choices we give them for using the aid.” Samji’s main area of interest 1s in gender and development. “T fight for gender-oriented development here as well as in third Headlines/February 1, 1994 world countries,” she says. “It is important to inform as many people as possible about the plight of women and children around the world and to draw attention to it.” All development organizations, students, faculty, and interested members of the public are invited to participate in a discussion session with a view to forming a Fraser Valley council for international cooperation and /or a Fraser Valley development education centre. The forum will be held in the Abbotsford campus theatre on Wednesday, February 9 from 12-2 p.m. Clayton Arkesteyn- Vogler from Trinity United Church and 10 Days for World Development will moderate. “T really urge anyone who feels that Canada’s role in the international community is important to attend the forum,” says Arkesteyn-Vogler. “It will provide the citizens of the Fraser Valley with an opportunity to explore potential ways of cooperating.” Gung Hay Fat Choy Celebrate Chinese New Year — the Year of the Dog — on Thursday, Feb. 10, in the UCFV Gallery Free dim sum at 11:30 a.m. Everyone welcome! A lion dancer will wind its way through the campus, starting at the gallery. The travelling art exhibit Images of China will be on display all week. It captures modern images of China in photographs and calligraphy, and is the work of Christine Tremblay and Colin Doerr, Asia Pacific student award winners.