What in the World is Going On?
International series addresses vital global concerns |

Large numbers of children, orphaned
by the war in Guatemala, live in the
streets, stealing what they can to stay
alive. When they become too great a
problem, the police shoot them.

This is one of many vital global
concerns being addressed in the free
UCFYV international development lecture
series. What in the World is Going On
features lectures each Monday night at 7.
p.m. through March 16. All lectures are
at WJ Mouat Secondary in Clearbrook,
except for the March 16 one, the
location of which will be announced
later.

The goals of the series are to bring
awareness and understanding of Third
World issues to the Fraser Valley, to
help people appreciate their
responsibilities as members of a global
community, and to provide them with an
awareness of opportunities available for
personal participation.

“The first two lectures were
excellent,” says International Education
program assistant Linda Toews, who is
coordinating the series. “There was a lot

of dialogue between the speaker and the -

audiences.. They really got into how
citizens can get involved and activate
change. Our speaker, Wayne Nelles,
outlined ways in which people can
legally have a say in land development,
and protect vital areas.”

Nelles was the speaker for the first
two lectures. He is a PhD student at
UBC, specializing in global and
development education. He is also
president of Turtle Island Earth
Stewards, a land trust and ecological
education organization.

Third World education systems

The Feb. 24 lecture focuses on
Education and Development, with Dr.
Kenji Okuda, coordinator of the SFU
Eastern Indonesia University
development project. He will discuss
this cooperative project, and also
compare B.C. and Third World
education systems.

Does development improve the
lives of women and children?

The next lecture, on March 2, will
feature Gulzar Samji, founder and chair
of the Gender and Development Group
of B.C. Her topic will be Gender and
Development.

“My special interest is promoting a
better understanding of the dynamics
that exist around development and aid as
the affect the daily lives of women and
children,” says Samji. “We'll look at
whether development in economic and
social spheres improves the lives of
women in the Third World countries or
if women are even included in the
development process.”

Samji is vice-president of the United
Nations Association in Vancouver and a
member of the Human Rights Tribunal.

Is sustainable development
possible?

The March 9 lecture will fee on
sustainable development, with is defined
in Our Common Future (the Bruntland
Report) as “development that meets the
needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.”

“International development agencies
cannot ignore the ecological
consequences of the assistance they
offer,” says Renate Kroesa, director of
toxic research for Greenpeace Canada,
who will speak at the March 9 session.

Kroesa worked as a quality control
chemist for many years and has
developed and coordinated several
chlorine-related campaigns for
Greenpeace including the international
pulp and paper campaign. She has
written and co-authored several
publications including a best-selling
book on toxic household chemicals and
environmentally friendlier alternatives.

The series will close with a
presentation on Children and
Development on March 16 with
facilitators Marta Torres, staff person at
the Christian Task Force of Central
America, and Ron Dart, Pacific director
of Amnesty International.

paripeitiaiigi ci nessun ta tiie aeaie notes cate

Headlines/Feb. 24 1992

Dart will give an overview of
historical and political views of First and
Third World issues and will discuss

. Guatemala in particular. He was one of

six Canadians asked by the Sanctuary
Movement to participate in greeting and
aiding refugees from Guatemala coming
across the border from Mexico into
Texas.

“Many refugees are sent back to

‘Guatemala, some to certain death,” says

Dart. “If I can help to make people
aware of this tragic situation, that’s a
start in correcting it.”

The denial and “brutal’’
violation of children’s rights in
Guatemala :

Torres will focus on the human rights
perspective, particularly as it applies to
the denial and “brutal” violation of
children’s rights in Guatemala.

“What kind of future does the country
face when an entire generation is denied
due process?” she asks. :

Admission is free for What in the
World is Going On. Pre-registration is
recommended to ensure a space, but not
required. Registration will be accepted at
any UCFV centre. For more information,
contact Linda Toews in International
Education at local 4361.

Ag. display wins

Members of the Agriculture
department were pleased to learn that a.
display they designed for the Dairy short
course held in Abbotsford last week was
picked as the best of the bunch.

The display features a wind tunnel
and soil, and pictures of what happens to
soil when it doesn’t have an adequate
cover crop protecting it. John De Pape
built the wind tunnel, Tracey Wautier
took the photos, and Rose Morrison-Ives
designed the display.