09′ MCW Events Summary
Multiculturalism is an integral part of life. Each year, the UWA International Students Service (ISS) hosts Multicultural Week (MCW), a week-long celebration of the diversity of the UWA community . Since its inception in 1999, MCW has grown to become the largest multicultural event on campus and the second largest event on UWA’s annual calendar.
This year, MCW celebrates its 10th anniversary and we are planning our largest celebration yet. From the 5th to 9th of October, a spectrum of events will be held to engage the UWA community in multiculturalism. MCW will hold main events as well as a number of fringe events and themes to further involve and encourage UWA staff, student and general community participation in marking this special milestone. Our theme for 2009 is “BLOSSOMING INTO UNITY”, through which we can together embrace diversity.
LANGUAGE WORKSHOP
Our first main event planned for 2009 is the Language Fair on 5th October, through which we hope to provide international students the chance to discover unique aspects of the english language, the common communicative medium used in UWA. The language workshop aims to bridge communication gaps that are inevitably present within the UWA population.
In partnership with UWA Student Services, which has organised numerous language programmes on campus, the Language Workshop will touch on the issues students have with different slangs, accents and pronunciation when it comes to speaking proper English. The 6 main languages discussed will be: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesian. It’s also note-worthy that there will be a 10% additional TEE score if a foreign language is studied at school.
OPENING CEREMONY
The official start of Multicultural Week is the Opening Ceremony.This year, the Opening Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 6th October, in the UWA guild courtyard.
The Opening Ceremony will begin with recognition of UWA’s traditional indigenous owners, acknowledging, recognizing & thanking the generosity of UWA’s traditional land owners. An important part of this recognition is to include the participation of the UWA indigenous community.
Various University representatives will then be invited to open MCW, including the UWA Vice-Chancellor and the MCW Managing Director of 2009. An exciting and vibrant range of multicultural events, activities and performances will then be held, with the audience invited to share a multicultural buffet. Everyone is invited to come dressed in ethnic costumes!
CULTURAL SEMINAR
One of the main aims of MCW is to raise awareness and promote social cohesion within the UWA population and the wider community. Accordingly, MCW will hold the Cultural Seminar on Wednesday 7th October.
In partnership with the Ethnic Communities Council of WA (ECCWA), guest speakers would be invited to share their views on the cultural influences that impact our daily life. We hope to provide balanced perspectives on the topic “Breaking down the stereotypes”. Audience participation is highly valuable and greatly encouraged. The event is a gold coin donation event with all proceeds going towards the ongoing multicultural advocacy efforts of ECCWA, WA’s peak multicultural advocacy organisation.
SPRING FEAST
Spring Feast is the largest event on the annual MCW calendar & this year’s celebration plans to be the biggest yet. On Thursday 8th October, UWA’s guild courtyard & surrounding Oak Lawn area will be transformed into an international marketplace.Spring Feast has attracted over 3000 students, staff & members of the local community in its festivities. In addition, over 60 student & corporate stalls are expected to bring the culinary delights from all over the world to UWA’s doorstep!
An equally entertaining line-up is also planned on stage. The evening will start with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, lion dance and a surprise 10th birthday MCW celebration. The stage will see stunning multicultural displays from well-known cultural groups. A raffle draw will also be held throughout the night with all proceeds from the raffle ticket sales going towards ECCWA.
AMAZING RACE
Teamwork, understanding, unity & harmony are important goals we hope to achieve at this year’s MCW. Accordingly, MCW will be holding the Amazing Race, an event first held in 2008 and which garnered an enthusiastic response.
The Amazing race will be held as the final main event on Friday 9th October and we strongly hope that the teamwork, understanding, unity and harmony used in the Amazing Race will leave a lasting good impression. Both students & staff are welcomed to join in and compete, racing all around campus, in teams whilst completing tasks designed to highlight different cultural practices in the fastest possible time to win a grand prize.
UWA Multicultural Week 2009 - OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY!!!! 