Celebrating Diversity at ConU

IEAC Marks 30th Anniversary with Cultural Diversity Week

NewsColin Harris — Published January 19, 2012

The International and Ethnic Associations Council will hold Concordia’s first Cultural Diversity Week starting Monday, Jan. 23.

“We hope this event captures what we want it to capture, which is spreading the beauty of cultures, not a specific culture,” said Marvin Coleby, chairman of the IEAC.

“Hopefully it becomes an annual thing, that it gets bigger and bigger,” he said.

The week includes some of the most successful past cultural events such as a food fair, ‘cultural expressions’ show and a ‘cultural night’ at The Hive, in collaboration with the Concordia Student Union and Arts & Sciences Federation of Associations.

“There’s no reason a school as culturally diverse as Concordia shouldn’t have [a cultural diversity week],” said Coleby. “The University of Toronto has one, and other big schools around the countries have them too. We only have one goal, which is multiculturalism and fighting against discrimination.”

The IEAC was founded after the 1969 Computer Centre incident, where students occupied a computer lab on the seventh floor of the Hall Building in protest of the university’s handling of alleged racism from a biology lecturer.

As a uniting tool for Concordia’s cultural groups, the IEAC works to facilitate international student involvement with Montreal communities, and to collectively represent them within the university.

“People who come from different countries ask, ‘Where is this club?,’” said Coleby. “You have International Services, but it’s different being around your own culture, and being immersed into those groups whose only goal is to spread their culture.”

All proceeds from the week will go to either Centraide or Colors of Concordia. The cultural week also marks the association’s 30th anniversary.

“Right now you have cultural associations that are incredibly passionate, but they don’t work together as much as they should. Hopefully this week is a dedication to the passion on campus.”

For the full list of events visit the Facebook event page