International Development Week (IDW), established in 1991, celebrates Canada’s contributions to creating a more sustainable, prosperous world.
Taking place from Feb. 4th to 10th, the weeklong celebration aims to engage Canadian civil society, communities and universities in fostering poverty eradication and sustainable approaches to development internationally.
This year, Brock students will be able to participate in many events related to international cooperation and developmentduring International Development Week 2024 on campus. The following are the events offered on each day of the week during International Development Week.
Sunday, Feb 4th:
1. Journey to Permanent Residence: hosted by IRCC (Part 1)
To kickstart International Development Week, the two-part series on the Journey to Permanent Residency in Canada will explore avenues for international students to become permanent residents in Canada.
This first enactment will consist of a pre-recorded video presentation by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that students must watch in preparation for the second part of the event, a Q&A hosted by IRCC, on Feb. 6th.
To participate, students can use this link to access the Pathway to Permanent Residence presentation and use the password Winter2024 to unlock the video recording.
Monday, Feb. 5th:
1. IDW Sustainability Competition
The International Development Week Sustainability Competition will challenge participants to track daily sustainable actions to earn points for a chance to win Brock Swag and other prizes. The top three participants with the most points accumulated will receive a prize to be collected on Feb. 9th at the Welcome Desk at the Rankin Family Pavilion.
Running from Monday, Feb. 5th at 7:00 a.m to Thursday, Feb. 8th at 12:00 p.m., those registered to participate on ExperienceBU will receive step-by-step instructions on how to participate in the competition.
2. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Why YOU Need to Know Them
This foundational event in Brock’s 2024 International Development Week draws attention to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their importance in the creation of a more sustainable world.
The online event will highlight the trajectory of the SDGs since their inception in 2015, to the urgency reaching the goals before the 2030 end goal to create a more resilient world. Moreover, the session will empower Brock students to learn more about the 17 Goals and showcase ways to make a difference in the accomplishment of the goals.
The event will take place from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m., and students can join by RSVPing to the event and using this link.
3. How to prepare to apply for jobs at the UN and UNESCO
The hybrid session occurring from 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m will showcase ways for Brock students to meaningfully engage in work for international organizations. Hosted by Dr. Liette Vasseur, a professor of Biological Sciences at Brock and current UNESCO Chair, students will get first-hand knowledge of what positions await them in international organizations like the United Nations and UNESCO.
Students looking to attend in person are to go to the Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215 and will receive a free pizza lunch during the session. Otherwise, those joining online can join through MS Teams.
4. Research in Sustainability- Breaking the Silos
This internal panel discussion, hosted by the Goodman School of Business at Brock University, will highlight sustainability-focused educational initiatives that exist at Brock while giving room for new opportunities in interdisciplinary collaboration within the faculties at Brock.
The discussion will serve to explore the dedication that Brock University and Goodman School of Business have placed on advancing educational experiences that advance solutions for global challenges and the encouragement of future leaders in global sustainability.
The in-person event will take place at the Goodman Success Centre, room MCA241.
Tuesday, Feb. 6th:
1. Brock University’s District Energy System Tour
The District Energy System Tour will invite students to tour the District Energy system through Brock Tunnels, which supplies electricity, heating and cooling to the majority of campus buildings at Brock University. The system consists of Brock’s Cogeneration Plant, Chiller Room, Pump Room and Control Room.
The tour will start at 10:00 a.m at the Rankin Family Pavilion and end at 11:30 a.m., and will be guided by Mary Quintana (Director, Asset Management and Utilities) and Drew Cullen (Manager, Energy District).
2. International Hand-Made Marketplace
The Hand-Made Marketplace will feature products such as hand-made soaps, custom Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, among many other hand-crafted products. The proceeds of the sales from the event will go toward supporting The Plastic Bank, a social enterprise from Vancouver fighting plastic pollution in oceans and poverty in the developing world.
The event will take place at the Brock International Centre, GLB104 from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. All purchases must be made in cash only.
3. Niagara Folks Arts Multicultural Centre Site Visit
This event will invite students on a guided tour of the Niagara Folks Arts Multicultural Centre, where students will get to see the building and learn about the services offered. Those interested in attending will meet at the Brock tower bus stop at 3 p.m and board a bus downtown to get to the Folks Arts. The tour will begin at 3:30 p.m and end at 4:30 p.m.
To register, RSVP on ExperienceBU.
4. Newcomers: A Sexual Health Workshop for International Students
From 5:00 p.m to 6:30 p.m., newcomers and international students at Brock will be able to join an online session on sexual health, identity and mental health in Canada. The event is going to be hosted in collaboration with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, the University of Toronto’s Centre for International Experience, the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, among others.
To join, use this link to register for the event and to receive the session’s Zoom link.
Wednesday, Feb. 7th:
1. Household and Gently Used Winter Item Pick Up
In line with Sustainable Development Goal 12 from the United Nations on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, this event aims to create an environment for students to acquire gently used items. Happening between 2:00 p.m and 4:00 p.m., those who RSVP to the event will be able to bring reusable bags and pick up donated items free of charge at the Alphie’s Through Faith and Life Centre.
To register, RSVP on ExperienceBU.
2. The Last Straw – More than just a game!
Taking place from 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m at the Wellness Hub (TH134), The Last Straw event will welcome students for an entertaining game experience that educates and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.
To secure a spot for the event, make sure to RSVP through ExperienceBU.
Thursday, Feb. 8th:
1. Living Sustainably and Getting Involved in Niagara
Hosted by Student Life and Success, the event will promote ways for students to engage in the Niagara area to contribute to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students will explore ways to be involved from home and in the community to realize the Sustainable Development Goals.
Students can attend the event from 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m in PLZ409.
Friday, Feb 9th:
1. Ground-Level Delivery: Promoting the UN SDGs for a Livable Planet
The panel discussion hosted by Brock’s Goodman School of Business will examine the increasingly important role of multilateral organizations like the United Nations in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With keynote speakers such as Ferid Belhaj, Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, insights on tackling sustainability targets will be addressed.
Furthermore, a local and regional focus will run throughout the discussion, highlighting actionable steps at the community level for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The event will be hosted at the Goodman Atrium at the Goodman School of Business from 2:00 p.m to 3:30 p.m., and students are encouraged to RSVP to secure a spot in the event.
Brock’s International Development Week 2024 is filled with all sorts of events to engage the student population in various aspects related to sustainability, health and environmentalism. Ranging from educational panels, a competition, guided tours and markets, IDW 2024 is set to have an event fit for everyone’s lifestyle.