I-Week Archive
International Week is the largest annual extracurricular educational event on campus and fosters global citizenship through engagement with today's most pressing issues.
Established in 1986, International Week (or I-Week) is one of the U of A's signature events, featuring free events designed to instigate new thoughts, inspire discussions and animate debates on current global issues. I-Week's award-winning program provides a forum for all segments of the U of A community-students, staff and faculty, government departments, non-governmental organizations and civil society to present their particular views on global issues and share their solutions to create a better world.
"International Week brings global conversations to the University of Alberta. We've built a diverse and exceptional community spanning our five campuses, and I-Week creates a space where we can hear each other, see from new perspectives, and find solutions together. We want to inspire engaged citizens and leaders who can think globally when tackling local problems. International Week helps to nourish and encourage those next-generation leaders." - U of A President Emeritus David Turpin, 2016.
In 2009, International Week won the Canadian Bureau of International Education's Outstanding Program Award for high-quality and highly creative programming in international education.
2024
I-Week 2024 offered a blend of in-person and online events addressing complex topics in discussion with expert academics and policy-makers regarding the work we must all do to achieve the SDGs.
International Week 20242023
I-Week 2023 again focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
U of A faculty, students, alumni, and community members shared their work and engaged in dialogue regarding the work we must all do to achieve the SDGs.
2022
I-Week 2022 focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are to be achieved 2030. Youth leaders, community organizations and scholars from UAlberta and abroad shared the work they are doing to push us closer to these Global Goals.
International Week 2022
2021
The Sustainable Development Goals: For a Better World
I-Week 2021 focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking place virtually, I-Week highlighted the work of campus, community and international scholars, researchers and activists relating to 17 SDGs.
International Week 2021
2020
The Sustainable Development Goals: For a Better World
I-Week 2020 focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With only a decade remaining to achieve these incredibly important Goals, I-Week highlighted the work of campus and community scholars, researchers and activists relating to all 17 SDGs.
2019
The Sustainable Development Goals: For a Better World
I-Week 2019 focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 ambitious goals that aim to "eliminate extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change" by 2030. Cited from UN Sustainable Development Goals
International Week 20192018
International Week 2018 focused on how the arts can contribute to social and environmental justice. I-Week sessions explored many challenging global issues and the various forms of art used to encourage reflection, dialogue, and action.
2017
Transition
International Week 2017 was all about transition. How do we move from our current way of living and thinking to a more sustainable and compassionate way of being? Business as usual is not an option and there are many more global citizens awakening to the need for change and the desire to be a part of that change.
2016
For a Better World
Programming for International Week 2016 focused on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 17 ambitious goals that aim to "eliminate extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change" by 2030.
International Week 20162015
For a Better World
International Week 2015 explored a better world where we can resolve conflict peacefully and constructively.
2014
Creating Solutions for a Healthier World
International Week 2014 showcased the efforts of people who are finding solutions to the global issues that confront us daily - climate change and environmental devastation, conflict and terrorism, economic crises, poverty and disease.
2013
Conscious Culture: Finding Paths to a Better World
The theme for International Week 2013-Conscious Culture: Finding Paths to a Better World-was chosen in light of our increasingly intertwining world.
2012
Living Democracy: Citizen Power in a Global Age
The rise of street politics in Northern Africa and the Middle East shocked the mainstream media and most of the world in 2011. The access to active participation of citizens in governance systems was a driving force of a movement that is currently manifesting all over the world in different forms, spreading to North America with the Occupy Wall Street Movement
2011
World on the Move: Unpacking Migration
The 2011 theme examined the global challenges that cause the migration of communities - from human rights struggles and climate change to economic uncertainty and poverty. It was also an opportunity to investigate social, political and environmental challenges that result from migration.
2010
To Boldly Go: Charting Our Common Future
This year marked the University's 25th International Week, built around the theme To Boldly Go: Charting Our Common Future. 2010's program emphasized International Week's tradition of cooperation with faculty members, student and community groups, government departments and non-governmental organizations. Not only does this approach permit a deeper and more holistic understanding of complex issues, it enables people with common interests to exchange ideas and lay foundations to work together collaboratively.
2009
Hungry For Change: Transcending Feast, Famine and Frenzy
This year's theme, chosen in light of converging environmental and food crises, was Hungry for Change: Transcending Feast, Famine and Frenzy. Over 60 events, ranging from hip hop and direct action workshops to expert panels, addressed issues surrounding the food crisis and other imminent dangers facing our global community.
2008
Addressing Global Challenges: 100 Years and Beyond
International Week 2008, a signature centenary event and centenary award project, featured a number of centenary award projects that received funding from the Centenary Planning Committee through a university-wide competition.