Tools to help young people who are victims of bullying

As October 20 is a Spirit Day to help support young people dealing with bullying because of their difference or sexual identity, I thought people might be interested in knowing about this project. Likewise, the TCSA Queer Issues Commissioner has a toolkit with other advice and activities that can help to ensure well-being. At left is a photo of Dan Savage, the writer who started the "It gets better" YouTube channel, reaching out to kids in junior high or high school who may be feeling alone and isolated because of bullying.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/us/19video.html

World Affairs Colloquium October 15 with Michael Sacco

-“It is not about how much you get in your meal. It’s about everyone gets something”

October 16 is the World Food Day when many parts of the world have the time to reflect on the importance of food and critical issues related to food that we human beings are facing today. This year, Trent World Affairs Colloquium (WAC) once again organized a guest-speaker/discussion event to celebrate the World Food Day. Michael Sacco- an outstanding horizontal trader of chocolate and now a PhD student at Trent- has shared with WAC many inspiring stories about how chocolate matters, and more importantly how communities matter. He recounted his past experience in Mexico with great enthusiasm, while explaining the concept of learning community social entrepreneur and the structure of ChocoSol- his collaborative business with a dedicated team. Participants not only enjoyed listening to his stories but also had the opportunity to try real chocolate- both to eat and to drink.

WAC would like to sincerely thanks Michael Sacco for his time, effort and exquisite chocolate; TISA and TIP for co-sponsoring the event; Kawartha World Issues Center, Champlain College and Professor Ray Dart for letting people know about our event.

Click here to see videos from the event.

*** Note: We have been approached by many keen students with questions such as where they can find more information about upcoming WAC. WAC committee is in the process of creating a database which will soon be publicized on Champlain College Blog and TISA Website. Stay tuned!

September 23rd with Nomadic Massive

Nomadic Massive kicked off the WAC year with an incredibly profound and meaningful story sharing. It’s about the band’s life. It’s about music. It’s about social justice. Each band member has something to tell, and to show how beautiful life can be when they find a direction and hope. Many of them were landed immigrants from countries such as Jamaica and Nigeria. One of them thinks that he might be the most unemployable person in Canada for his attitude problem. But they come together for the sake of music and use music to express themselves. And eventually you realize how much solidarity matters! (Meduza’s words).

Below are some photos from the event:

Here are comments from Jack- a committee member from Russia:

"Hello everyone! As you all know a great event took place on previous friday! Nomadic Massive has visited our university. You may ask a question what is it? Well, let's explain for those who did not have a chance to come. So it is a concert with participation of different Hip-Hop singers who gather together and perform songs in an improvisation format. There was also an opportunity for everybody to talk to them personally and ask any questions. How? There was a workshop organized by The World Affairs Coloqium group(and the concert was also organized by this organization)anyway, we had a great conversation with these interesting, unusual and creative singers(performers, artists). One of the most important aspects of the nomadic Massive is that singers who are involved in this project propagandize justice and explain that their Hip-Hop helps people. They travel around Canada and abroad and inspire youths and even kids for peaceful and friendly life.!!!"

TIP Scholars Inspire Leadership

It was a remarkably inspiring dinner chez moi October 13, bringing together the power of these Trent leaders. Many thanks for all your commitment to Trent University!

Canoeing and Cultural Learning

ESL Canoeing Program with Canoe Museum from Fusionriver Photography on Vimeo.

A great photo essay of a Trent ESL Class's adventure-learning with the Canadian Canoe Museum.

ESL students: post a comment about your experience in the box below!
All the best, Dr. Mike

Michael Sacco: Chocosol Actionist and Champlain Fellow

Michael will be facilitating a World Affairs Colloquium for World Food Day in October.

Peterborough, city of colors!

As fast as the colors of the autumn leaves change, the time seems to fly in our new hosting community: Peterborough. For some of us everything is new: the food, the people, the transit, the mores, the fall (what a beautiful season!), the cold!...
But we are more than grateful to be part of this awarding international experience.

We arrived three weeks ago, from places all across Canada and Tanzania, and we are here willing to help as much as we can the community. Actually we are now volunteering for different social/environmental based organizations all around the city and TRENT with the international program Canada World Youth.

What Canada World Youth is all about?
Well, for a fast introduction, CWY was founded by Jacques Hébert in 1971, since then the organization have been a world leader in the development of international educational programs and now we are part of that amazing experience which make me really excited about what’s going to be next, I know we’re going to stay here for two more months and after for three more months in Tanzania, but what makes everything extraordinary and unexpected is the new people, the new encounters of everyday. I have learned a lot, not only about Peterborough, or TRENT, or the culture but also I have learned how small the world is and how much power we have to make significant changes.

Now I’m working at the TIP office, I love it!!... And there’s one thing I realized, Peterborough is full of colors, not only because of the autumn leaves…

Well, I will be here for a bit, so don’t be shy to come to the TIP office if you are interested about the CWY program or you just want to talk or know about another culture or practice your french or your Spanish, or even if you have some crazy ideas to share!!

Nawatakia siku njema!!

TANZANIA AND PETERBOROUGH

My experience in Canada especial in Peterborough I learn,see a lot of things here all the things is good and interesting,we know Canada is among of the country which are developed in the world,am Tanzanian and i leave in a small city which called Peterborough this is among of the good city in Canada i real like it and there are some things which i sow here some of them are; local food here in Peterborough there is organisation which deals with agriculture one of them is Trent sustainable garden which grow different type of also this is good things in Peterborough.

Also transportation is the improntant sector and this is a public transportation as you know the improntance of transportation here there is a good ways as well as timetable they arrange in a proper ways which is easy for everyone also this is good for every one in Peterborough.

The environment they keep well their environment by plant the trees and to keep clean all their surrounding area ls and that make Peterborough to look good and clean all the time.

Helpful that is most people of Canada especial Peterborough they are so kind and helpful i say that because i sow the organisation which deals with the foreign people this organisation help foreign to get job or work and the name is New Canadian centre and show how much they care foreign.

Building planning all the building is improper ways which make good looking for the people who coming to visit Peterborough.and in my host family every things is good they take,they respect you,there is cooperation as well as goodlife and heaving fun.And that explanation above is all about Peterborough.

My name is Adolphina Josephat i come from Tanzania and among of volunteer of Canada world youth (CWY) and my organisation in Tanzania is Uvikiuta,and this is a short story about Uvikiuta.

UVIKIUTA BACKGROUND the organization based in Chamazi Msufini Temeke district,24km south from Dar es salaam city center.
Background: UVIKIUTA is a youth development organization established in 1983 with assistance of the father of nation, the late Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, first president of the United Republic of Tanzania.UVIKIUTA came to its existence as a respond to the Government policy call for unemployed youth to form economic groups. This policy was famous as "Nguvu kazi"with the purpose of responding to the young people's needs to raise their living standards. This desire could be achieved through establishments of youth settlements and self help project, which will provide employment,income and permanent shelters.

In the year 1986 a group of youths moved from the city to Chamazi to establish a new settlement. To date, various economic and social activities are taking place. These include vegetable and fruits growing,daily cow,landscaping environment conservation activities and construction of community volunteer services-Work camp, which links Tanzania youths,communities and others across the world with the aim of promoting peace,understanding and sustainable development.

This is a short explanation about my organization in Tanzania, and your most well come to learn,cross culture etc.Thank and enjoy yourself all we are one but we come from different parts, welcome to Tanzania and be interest in volunteer like me becouse you help your community,nation as well as country.Thank you for more suggestion information,question, please use the adress above.

From: ADOLPHINA J. MWAKILAMBO
contact:adolphinajosephat@yahoo.co.uk