Global Engagement Days

Running from November 5 to November 9

By Tania Arora, Staff Reporter

Douglas College is set to host its Global Engagement Days, the week-long event’s second year at the college.

From November 5 to 9, the events seek to celebrate all of the cultures that make up Canada. The events will take place at both New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses. Global Engagement Days aims to bring the cultures, beliefs, ideologies, and rituals of different countries around the world together on one single platform and under one roof. It will be an eye-opening event for students and a loud call for them to come out and explore the world.

The college has planned out a series of events to take place every day for the entire week. The week will be a celebration of diversity with food, music, and stories from across the world.

On November 5, there will be an opening introduction to Global Engagement at Douglas on November 5 by President Kathy Denton and VP International Education and Strategic Partnerships Guangwei Ouyang. The event kick-off will be followed by a movie screening. In addition, students, staff, and faculty from Douglas College will set up booths in the New West Concourse representing different nations.

These booths will be around on November 6, the second day of the event. Bhangra dancers will also put on a show in the Concourse.

To hear the stories of students leaving their home countries and coming to a different part of the world, the college has organized the “Stories from Abroad” event on November 7 in the New Westminster Fishbowl. On the same day, the college will hold the Women’s Soccer Championship Royals Game in Coquitlam—after all, sports have been an integral part of bringing people together from different corners of the planet.

Bhavika Gaba, an international student at Douglas College, said in an interview with the Other Press that she is excited to participate in Global Engagement Days on the fourth day of the event, which will include a fashion show showcasing clothes from every corner of the Earth.

Gaba said she has been in Canada for almost a year. “I remember packing my couple of traditional clothes while leaving home. I thought I [would] wear them here. Even after one year, they are still in the same packaging as before. The day I saw the poster about the fashion show, I knew I was walking the ramp. I have always been into multiple cultures. I love to explore the world. I am so looking forward to this whole event which will be both informative and entertaining.”

Some artists that will be featured include musician Ezra Kwizera and author John Michael Koffi. Koffi will read from his book Refuge-e: The Journey Much Desired.

For more information on Global Engagement Week, check out Douglas College’s website for a full list of the events. Experts on the areas of immigration, inter-culturalization, and human rights will be available at the campus to answer the queries of students and hold various panel discussions and workshops..