What is Remembrance Day all about?

I was honoured to be a part of a Remembrance Day ceremony in the Great Hall of Champlain on Thursday morning. It was a privilege to share the podium with a Trent student, Ethan Mcdonald, who is an officer Cadet in the Canadian armed forces. I was very moved by the depth of thought, reflection, feeling, and commitment in the words that he shared that day. I'm grateful that he shared that text with me so that you might read it here.

What is Remembrance Day all about?

When I was young, it was about wearing a little red flower in November. Growing up, it took on a human side; a wrinkly face with white thinning hair and bright eyes despite failing health with age.

Today as I wear this uniform, it means much more and I would like to share this with you.

After taking several history courses in high school and university, I discovered that often, war was waged for political or religious reasons and very often unknown to those whom it consumed. Rarely did it bring what was promised: freedom and a better life for those it affected; and war rarely brought peace.

I was taught that long ago, men went overseas and fought for their home country in the Great War, to bring back peace and victory for the commonwealth. In 1917 our great nation was born under fire in France. Young Canadians took the untakeable at Vimy Ridge and endured the unendurable at Passchendaele, many never leaving Flanders Fields. The armistice took place one year later--the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918. Never again!

In 1939, the nations of the world mobilized once again for another round, this time the Allies were off to fight amongst others, a man named Adolf Hitler and his armies who in a short time, controlled most of Europe. Once again, young Canadians answered the call and scaled the cliffs of Assoro, suffered in Hong Kong and took Juno Beach. Six years later they returned with victory and an uneasy peace. The world learned of the horrors of the holocaust and wept from the devastation. Never again!

For the next 45 years, the world held its breath while Western and Communist armies sparred in remote regions of the world. Canadians held the unholdable at Kapyong and in the 90’s when United Nations peace keeping became the political focus, Canadians in sky blue berets of hope, sat out of a politically incorrect war and watched as millions were murdered in Rwanda. Never again!

I suppose it would sound rather cynical for me to say this and suggest that war has never accomplished anything worth its cost; that by this perhaps, the deeds of veterans are meaningless. If you only focus on the big picture and not what’s in an individual’s heart, this may be all that you believe. However, I do not come to you today to preach on the politics or history of international conflict. My query is much simpler; not why we have war, but why we have warriors?

The truth is, regardless of politics, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or anything else that separates and divides humans or causes war; veterans and soldiers of conflicts past and present serve because they feel a duty. A duty to do all that is in their power to bring peace, freedom and a higher quality of life, to those who are without it. For any individual to take action on their beliefs especially with goals such as these is truly remarkable.

The truth is, even today within this great nation of Canada, there are still thousands who take up this cause. They are deployed to the Middle East, in Afghanistan and other troubled areas around the world. Regardless of their job, they all make a sacrifice, the same as those before them. Leaving their families, their daily lives and country behind and donning the uniform of a Canadian Soldier. All gave some; some 152 of my brothers and sisters gave all, giving their lives for what they believe in.

I can tell you this with absolute certainty today as I don the uniform of a Canadian Soldier as many nineteen year olds have done before me. My profession is that of arms, my job is to fight. Yet my mission is to preserve peace, to ensure freedom and quality of life for all. My mind says “Never again!” but my heart says, “I must do something!”

So today on the eleventh of November, many may ponder the question “What does Remembrance Day mean?” To me, it is a day to remember the conflicts of the past and present, but focusing on the men and women who serve instead of dwelling on politics or the outcome. Remembrance Day is about people, who became soldiers, who went off to war and fought for what they believe in.

Remembrance Day is about those who never made it home. We will remember them.

- A Canadian Soldier.

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

Nomadic Massive Live in the Great Hall, Sep 24 7 p.m.

Why Nomadic Massive as a kick off event to bring Trent together for a Champlain event?

When Tim Shah (Champlain/Trent alumn, leader of the Trent Global Living Community, and now at UBC doing a Master's in Urban Planning) first contacted Nomadic Massive to see if they would do a performance in the Great Hall on their way to a gig in Toronto, they responded immediately and said that they love to do performances at universities--but . . ."

We might have been worried about the "but" until it was followed by, "we'd also like to do a workshop for social justice". Tim and I were both thrilled because, well, how Trent is that? A cutting edge eleven piece band making the great hall rumble with a multicultural sound--and a message with meaning to make a world of difference? That's a college life I want to be a part of!

When I came to Champlain 7 years ago, I heard many stories about "the old days" of concerts and sweaty dance parties in the Great Hall that brought together the community in ways no other college could. That's one tradition I'd like to sustain--if it gives us opportunities to learn together as this concert will!

Nomadic Massive, live in the Great Hall, with opening band The Resolutionaries, Friday, September 24, 2010, 7 p.m. Get tickets at the Champlain College Office, LEC Office, TIP, The Central or student affairs. Tickets are free with a donation for Pakistan Flood Relief (UNICEF).

Workshop: "Social Justice Through Hip Hop" World Affairs Colloquium in the Champlain Council Chambers (CC M2) at 3 p.m.

In Istanbul, 8,000 Years of History - NYTimes.com

As many Champlain Fellows have research and cultural interest in Turkey and especially Istanbul, I wanted to share this with the college community. Trent faculty in Ancient History & Classics, Politics, Geography, History, Anthropology have research interests in this region. (If there are others, I'd be interested in knowing).

In Istanbul, 8,000 Years of History - NYTimes.com

Inspirational Leadership and Sustainable Values,

Aspen Ideas Festival 5772010 Audio / Video Library: "Inspirational Leadership and Sustainable Values"



This is an hour-long talk with Thomas Friedman and Dov Seidman at the Aspen Ideas Festival 2010. Well worth a listen for the values of ethical leadership they espouse.

Presentation of Honorary Degree to Trent Alumna Nancy Strickland