Talk by Holocaust Survivor, Vigil Highlight Peace Week

October 30, 2007 - News Release

The University of Guelph will mark Peace Week Nov. 5 to 9 with a range of events, including a talk by a Holocaust survivor and the annual hate crimes vigil. An initiative of staff and students, Peace Week aims to create community dialogue and understanding of issues of peace-making.

The week kicks off with a multi-faith peace celebration Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 004 of the University Centre.

On Nov. 6, the ninth annual hate crimes vigil begins at 9 p.m. at the Bullring. The event, originally held to remember the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay student in Wyoming, has grown to encompass all crimes of hate.

Events continue Nov. 7 with a peace meditation at 12:30 p.m. in UC 004 and Nov. 8 with a Holocaust speaker at 7 p.m. in UC 103. Bill Glied was deported from his hometown in Serbia to Aushwitz-Birkenau in 1944 along with his family. He was later transferred to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany and worked as a slave labourer. He was liberated by the U.S. army in April 1945 and came to Canada as an orphan in 1947.

Nov. 8, Wendy Stewart will be discussing missing Aboriginal women at 5:30 p.m. in UC 332.

A number of events are planned for Nov. 9, including the University’s traditional Remembrance Day service at 10:30 a.m. in War Memorial Hall.

The UC courtyard will be the site of a Peace Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a Peace Jam from noon to 1 p.m. At 7 p.m., Ernie Regehr, co-founder of and senior policy adviser for Project Ploughshares, will discuss “Canada’s Role in Afghanistan: Is There a Non-Military Alternative?” in Room 1307 of the Thornbrough Building. The talk is sponsored by the Peace by Piece planning group, U of G and the Guelph Seminar. Admission is free.

Peace Week is planned and organized by the Multi-Faith Resource Team, Student Housing Services, Residence Life, the Central Student Association, Student Life, the Wellness Centre and many student organizations. Complete details of the week’s events are available online.

For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Deirdre Healey, 519-824-4120, Ext. 56982.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120