Have you ever attended an event during International Week (I-Week)? Participating in I-Week is an opportunity for each of us to explore global issues through insightful keynotes, lectures, workshops and activities to get your mind thinking and body moving.
In the spirit of exploring, let’s take a look at some of the myths that you might have about this annual event so that you can remain confident that your curiosity and interests will be piqued with this year’s lineup.
Myth: I-Week is an event for international students.
Reality: The U of A I-Week is a campus-wide event, open to all campus community members. I-Week allows opportunities to immerse yourself in a community of knowledge sharing and thought-provoking subject matter that you may not otherwise experience. There are a variety of event topics that highlight issues related to poverty, wellbeing, economic growth, climate action, and more–these are topics that affect us all. Explore talks about global citizenship, the impact of war on women and children, the international garment supply chain, climate-neutral business practices, consumer wastefulness and the importance of mobilizing online, to name a few. There’s also a Global Health Fair where you can learn more about biomedical science. Whatever your interest, I-Week has you covered while cultivating opportunities for you to discover something new.
Myth: I-Week is only for sustainability and environmental enthusiasts.
Reality: Though there are events that focus specifically on these issues, I-Week boasts a well-rounded list of topics to appeal to a variety of audiences and interests that reflect the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Around nine of the seventeen SDG themes will be woven into the many events at this year’s I-Week. All campus community members — from experts and enthusiasts to those who are curious or have an interest — are welcome to these events. You can register for Stephanie Kelton’s keynote to learn how the province can carve a path toward global decarbonization that resonates with Alberta residents here, or attend Alicia Richin’s keynote to find out more about the expansion of solar energy and what it means to be climate resilient.
Myth: I-Week is always so serious.
Reality: While it’s true some I-Week topics are in-depth and challenge us to rethink how we – as global citizens – can act in more meaningful ways, the week’s lineup includes some feel-good live events too, including trivia night, a visual art competition and an Afro Fusion dance workshop.
Shining a light on assumptions made around this event is a great opportunity to create a new, accurate narrative that invites everyone on campus to participate. Challenge your own assumptions about I-Week before it wraps up on February 7.
Myth: I-Week is always about the same topics.
Reality: The call for keynote speakers, event ideas and facilitators involves keeping up with current and prospective audiences and their appeal-o-meter, connecting with the campus community for recommendations, scouring U of A’s many (oh so many) news stories and publications and reaching out to local and non-local organizations. The pandemic introduced the opportunity to broaden its scope and appeal by getting partner universities involved as events moved online, creating more opportunities for audiences to access and participate. This year the newly formed SDG Alliance student group helped identify young speakers whose work and/or activism connects to the SDGs. No two years are the same, so even if you have attended before there are a lot of new speakers and approaches this year!
Review I-Week’s schedule and register for free events here.
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