Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

January 05, 2006

Trudeau to Speak at U of G

One of Canada’s best-known advocates of youth volunteerism, education and empowerment, Justin Trudeau, will speak Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in War Memorial Hall as part of the University of Guelph’s Citizenship Awareness Month. Admission is free for students and $10 for faculty, staff and community members. Tickets will be available at the Information Desk, located on the first floor of the University Centre. Citizenship Awareness Month runs from Jan. 9 to 30 and also includes a voter registration drive, candidates’ forum and other activities.

“These events are designed to increase civic participation among students, especially active participation such as voting and volunteering,” said organizer Christine Victorino, co-ordinator of citizenship and community engagement in U of G’s Student Life office. “We want students to take the opportunity to reflect on what citizenship means to them and to explore their roles as citizens.”

Trudeau, son of the late prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, is chair of Katimavik, Canada’s national youth service program, where he works to engage youth with their country, their communities and the environment. He is also director of the Canadian Avalanche Foundation, which promotes wilderness safety and awareness of the environment, and is spokesperson for the Youth Volunteer Coalition.

Trudeau is currently travelling across Canada promoting Nahanni Forever, a Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society initiative that aims to encourage Canadians to help protect the Northwest Territories’ Nahanni wilderness from proposed mining. He is also pursuing a master’s degree in geography at McGill University.

Voter registration will be held Jan. 10 and 11 from noon to 8 p.m. in the University Centre (UC) courtyard. On Jan. 17, a federal all-candidates forum runs from noon to 2 p.m. in Peter Clark Hall. On election day, Jan. 23, a polling station will be set up in Room 103 of the UC.

A “skate and donate” event will be held Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gold twin-pad arena, with proceeds going to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a Canadian-based organization that provides care and compassion to those dying from HIV/AIDS in Africa. Donations of unused skates of all sizes and types can be dropped off at the Connection Centre, located on level three of the UC, or brought to the event.

On Jan. 27, a multicultural celebration called “One World” begins at 7 p.m. in War Memorial Hall. It will feature performers from a number of groups, including the Aboriginal Resource Centre, the Latino Cultural Society, the Indian Students Association and the Munford Centre.

Citizenship Awareness Month will conclude Jan. 30 with a volunteer fair in the UC courtyard from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Victorino at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 52782, or send e-mail to cvictor@uoguelph or citizen@uoguelph.ca.