UOW to celebrate Diversity Week

Mar 14, 2007

The University of Wollongong will celebrate ‘Diversity Week’ through a variety of exhibitions and events on campus from Monday 19 – Friday 23 March.

Diversity Week enables staff, students and the wider community to appreciate the differences of UOW life, enriched by people from different countries and cultures with diverse abilities, disabilities, religions, sexualities and genders.The annual event will be officially opened by Illawarra based Liberal Senator, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

The program will include a showcase of exhibitions, screenings and performances to promote harmony, tolerance and respect around the campus. Community partners such as UniCentre, Wollongong City Council, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) and the Sydney Fringe Festival have collaborated to support the ideas behind Diversity Week.

Art exhibitions will be on display throughout the week, celebrating ability, gender and the Indigenous culture. A ‘Sea of Hands’ will also be erected as a signature of support for reconciliation. A number of film festivals will enlighten audiences on different cultures and experiences.

A market day is organised for Wednesday 21 March, in accordance with International Harmony Day, exhibiting the diverse clubs, cultures and groups established at UOW and in the community.

The ‘Sydney Fringe Festival Comedy Night’ will present an entertaining celebration of diversity with some Sydney comedians, including Alex Ramano from ‘Fat Pizza’, Turkish-Australian Kayan Oncu, Eric the red-headed Aussie and the award-winning comedians Julia Wilson and Desh.

Diversity Week will conclude with a debut performance by ‘Blue King Brown’ at the UniBar. This group of Australian musicians will bring their unique mix of beats and rhythms from around the world to voice some strong political and social messages.

Other activities throughout the week will include an Amnesty International guest lecture, the Faculty of Law’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and a Linking Women Network meeting.

When: Monday 19 – Friday 23 March at the University of Wollongong

**Photo/filming opportunity: Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells will officially open Diversity Week from 12.30 – 1.30pm on Monday 19 March in the Creative Arts Foyer (Bldg 25) where light refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

For further information and a program of events visit: http://staff.uow.edu.au/eed/diversityweek/ or call (02) 42 213 555.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128