Hero of “Hotel Rwanda” a keynote speaker during International Week — March 15–19

Paul Rusesabagina, a Rwandan internationally honoured for saving more than 1,200 refugees during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, will be the keynote speaker at UBC’s International Week (I.Week) March 15-19. The film based on his story, Hotel Rwanda, will be screened at S.U.B. on March 16 at 7 p.m.

Breaking Borders is the theme of this year’s I.Week which offers a series of international learning and cultural events for the UBC community and provides students with progressive levels of leadership opportunities.

A Hutu, Rusesabagina used his influence and connections as a Kigali hotel manager to shelter members of both Tutsi and Hutu tribes from slaughter. He will tell his story at a free event at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on March 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Other I.Week attractions include a Food Fair at the Lhada Student Centre March 15 from 5-7 p.m. and a Volunteer Fair will be jointly hosted with UBC’s Alma Mater Society March 15 and 16 at S.U.B. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s I.Week showcases international activities organized by faculties and campus units. A Faculty of Applied Science presentation, “Engineering to make a Difference” highlights engineering research projects with global impact. There will also be a showcase of work by Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Research Award recipients; a workshop on the Ethics of International Engagement and Service Learning, offered by the College of Health Disciplines; and events exploring student engagement with developing countries, offered by UBC’s Go Global.

The week will end with a Grand Performance by UBC
students, staff and members of the community at the S.U.B. Ballroom on March 19 at 7 p.m. The event includes musical performances ranging from a guitar/ukulele duet to an acapella singing group and a band called Roman Foot Soldiers that comprises six UBC Indonesian students from various faculties. Dance performances include US hula dancers, Indian dancers and UBC Dance Club.

I. Week attracts more than 3,000 participants every year. More information may be found at www.iweek.ubc.ca

Paul Rusesabagina’s presentation has been made possible through a collaboration of I.Week organizers at International Student Development and the International Relations Students Association. Additional support has been provided by the AMS Innovative Project Fund.