Health as a Bridge to Peace

HBP Call for Elections & Year End

2011-03-28T16:19:00.001-04:00

Dear HBP Members and Blog Readers,

We've had a wonderful year full of events, in which we’ve learned many things from and about one another, developed HBP’s blog, and expanded our international partnerships to the U.S., Pakistan and across Ontario. HBP’s activities this year were featured in various countries including Israel, Pakistan, Canada and the US, and the blog has attracted readers from all over the world!

Many of these activities could not have been possible without the great team of executives and volunteers who supported coordinated, created partnerships and provided invaluable advice. I would like to thank you all!
With this in mind, I would like to open up a call for 2011-12 elections. All the positions are open, as many of the executives are graduating.

Some of the benefits of getting involved with HBP include:

1. Engage in a leadership opportunity that makes a difference to the York community and beyond

2. Opportunity to work with like-minded network of student leaders and health professionals from around the world

3. Gain health-related leadership experience for those planning a career in medicine/ public health/ nursing/ or other related fields

The following positions are open:

Co-president
Co-president
VP Events
VP Community Engagement
VP Public Relations and Communications
Treasurer
Secretary
Video Production Coordinator
Blogger/ Blog Coordinator
Faculty of Health Student Caucus Representative

Please submit a short paragraph outlining why you would like to join HBP’s leadership by April 10, 2011 to hbpclub@gmail.com.

If you have a friend who you think might be interested in joining, please feel free to forward this message to them.

HBP’s alumni have gone to practice medicine, dentistry, public health, education, and mental health. By joining the executive team, you can connect with this interdisciplinary network of young professionals.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me:
Inbal Marcovitch
Co-President
Health as a Bridge to Peace
hbpclub@gmail.com

New Article: Building Bridges of Tolerance

2011-03-27T21:07:00.000-04:00

Check out the new article:

POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS BUILDING BRIDGES OF TOLERANCE THROUGH “WEEK OF DIALOGUE”

Call for Application: Elections Officer

2011-03-07T21:21:00.002-05:00

Elections are coming up. If you would like to serve as an Elections Officer, please send an email to hbpclub@gmail.com. Your email should contain (1) your phone number (2) your experience with elections and (3) what would make you the ideal candidate for this position. Applications are due March 13, 2011.

Health as a Bridge to Peace Toronto Raptors Group Night: Wednesday March 30th at 7pm at the ACC!

2011-03-05T21:46:00.000-05:00

Health as a Bridge to Peace Toronto Raptors Group Night

HBP is featured on Y-File

2011-03-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

Check out the article about the event on Thursday! click here

Networks of Cooperation: Case Studies from the Middle East - Thursday, March 3, 2011

2011-02-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

Week of Dialogue - Networks of Cooperation March 3, 2011

The Week of Dialogue is next Week! Check out the events schedule! Come to an event!

2011-02-23T16:26:00.006-05:00

WEEK OF DIALOGUE EVENTS SCHEDULE

Feb. 28, 2011

Host: Health as a Bridge to Peace @ York University

Location: Central Square, York University, Toronto, Ontario.

Time: 2:30 – 4:30pm

Event Description: Pay It Forward

We have many bags of goodies to give you! How can you get them?

· Bring a new person you’ve just met to HBP’s table.

· Tell each other about a nutritional habit or we can ask you a question about nutrition

· Commit to pay it forward.

· Do something good to someone.

· Tell us about it on Facebook.

Together, We Pay it Forward.

Health as a Bridge to Peace thanks ARAMARK @ YorkU for donating the bags of goodies.

Mar. 2, 2011

Host: TZEDAKA-SADAQAH Project

Location: University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Time: 12:00 - 2:00pm

Event Description: Interfaith & Humanity: Out of the Cold Program

Jewish and Muslim communities share many important values that originate from common religious teachings. As students, we want to illustrate the importance of working together through shared values to make a difference in our local community, despite our religious and political differences.

Join the TZEDAKA-SADAQAH Project on March 2nd, when students will have the opportunity to prepare sandwiches for an Out of the Cold Program in London Ontario, while meeting new students from different faiths while exploring commonalities and honouring differences in a safe environment.

Mar. 3, 2011

Host: Health as a Bridge to Peace & Peace by Peace

Location: York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada & Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm

Event Description: Networks of Cooperation: Case Studies from the Middle East

An international video conference highlighting two case studies involving two networks of doctors and health professionals in the Middle East and North America. Dr. James Leckman of Empowerment and Resilience in Children Everywhere (ERICE) and Dr. Arnold Noyek of the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (CISEPO) will discuss their challenges, successes, and how health helped them to bridge differences.

Mar. 4, 2011

Host: SZABIST Social Sciences society

Location: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

Time: 2:30 - 5:30pm

Event Description: Pakistan’s Patriot Act: Looking Into the Future

SZABIST Social Sciences Society invites you to participate in the Patriot’s Act to better assess

“What Pakistan Needs Now.”

Being Social Scientists ourselves, we understand that there is a need for the educated and energetic Pakistani youth of today to come together and come up with practical solutions to solve the multitude of problems Pakistan is facing today. We wish to give such students a platform where they can actively debate, criticize, analyze and reflect on various problems and at the same time reminisce the history of our culture through literature.

We welcome all students who wish to revive the Social Scientists within them through our interactive sessions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE “WEEK OF DIALOGUE” AND THE HOST STUDENT GROUPS:

Week of Dialogue - http://weekofdialogue.wordpress.com/

Week of Dialogue Facebook event page - http://www.facebook.com/ event.php?eid=201413519872653

Health as a Bridge to Peace @ York University - http://healthasabridgetopeace.blogspot.com/

Peace by Peace - http://www.peacebypeace.org/

Tzedaka-Sadaqah Project - http://tzedakasadaqah.ca/

SZABIST Social Sciences Society - http://szabistsc.org/societies

Pay it Forward - The Answers!

2011-02-16T09:47:00.001-05:00

What a great event! It was wonderful to share with the York community bags of healthy goodies (sponsored by ARAMAK), learn about each other’s nutrition practices and knowledge, meet new people and Pay it Forward!

Thanks to everyone who participated! Don't forget to tell us how you paid it forward (you can use the comments section below, or facebook (click here for FB)

As promised, below are the answers to the questions we asked you during the day. Enjoy!

Q: How many grams of fiber should adults consume per day?

A: 20-35 grams, or even more! Fibre helps to move food through the intestines; some fibre-rich foods to consider are fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Also remember the high fibre granola bars!

Q: It’s a common misconception to think that all fats are bad for you. Is there such a thing as health fats, and if so, what are they?

A: Choose unsaturated fats, such as the kinds that are found in cooking oils and nuts and seeds. Polyunsaturated fats, like Omegas 3 and 6, can reduce bad cholesterol, and can be found in fish, leafy greens and some nuts. Monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil, avocado and peanuts, promote healthy liver function.

Q: Approximately how many hours does it take for food to entirely digest?

A: This depends on the type of food. Fruits and veggies can be out of your system in less than 12 hours, but steak can take two to three days – basically it is left in your intestines to rot and break down!

Q: Why are fruits and vegetables low on calories?

A: Fruits and vegetables generally have a high water and fibre content. Water and fibre increases the volume of foods, which reduces the energy density (calories).

Q: When you take a step how many muscles do you use?

A: Approximately 200!

Q: What is your favorite healthy food?

A: At the Pay it Forward table, we heard some great answers ranging from fish to fruits and veggies, to whole grains and more! Keep it up guys – choose healthy options more often! We also had some discussions about where the food is coming from, how it is grown and by whom, and how these factors influence our health!

HBP Club's Pay it Forward Event - February 14 11am-4pm at the HBP Table, Location Change: Central Square

2011-02-08T10:08:00.002-05:00

Answers to the questions that you were asked during the events are now published on HBP's facebook group. Click here to join, check it out and tell us how you paid it forward. for those who don't have Facebook, answers will soon be posted here as well.

Poster- Pay It Forward

There is a new article on our "Articles" page!

2011-02-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

Health as a Bridge to Peace; A Personal Perspective

HBP's Next Monthly Meeting is Thursday, January 27th, 4:30 to 6:00pm @ 419 HNES!

2011-01-26T09:44:00.000-05:00

Please note that HBP's monthly meeting will take place on Thursday, January 27th, 4:30 to 6:00pm @ 419 HNES.

During the meeting we will discuss the next upcoming event: Pay It Forward.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

PS. Here is the poster for a fundraising event two York student organizations are putting together. Check it out!

Check out this fundraising event two York student organizations are putting together!

HBP & Calumet College Council Present: Stressless Fridays with Intro to Power Flow Yoga (January 21-Feb 18)

2011-01-17T22:52:00.001-05:00

HBP & Calumet College Council Present: Stressless Fridays with Intro to Power Flow Yoga
(January 21-Feb 18)

StressBuster!

Attention York students!

Take a break and refresh your body, mind and soul with some YOGA!

What: Intro to Power Flow Yoga (an energizing and fun vinyasa-style yoga class suitable for all levels)

When: Fridays, January 21-Feb 18, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Where: Calumet College, room 100.

Where: $25 for 5 classes; payable upon first class.

Why: To decrease stress, improve flexibility and have fun!

Bring a mat or towel if you can (they will also be provided)

Presented by Health as a Bridge to Peace student club & Calumet College Council

Please RSVP by sending an email to: hbpclub@gmail.com

http://healthasabridgetopeace.blogspot.com/

Stress Buster Yoga!

Upcoming HBP Event! Tuesday, January 18th 5-7pm: Markting of Feminine Hygiene - Does Culture Matter?

2011-01-14T14:59:00.000-05:00

HBPJanuary18 11 Event- Poster

Upcoming HBP Winter Events

2011-01-10T21:17:00.001-05:00

HPB Club has some exciting events coming up!

January 12, 2011 @ 2:30 - 4:30pm - Table in Vari Hall - Spread the word about HBP!
January 18, 2011 @ 5 - 6:30pm - Marketing Women's Hygiene: Does Culture Matter? - Join the discussion!
February 14, 2011 @ 11am - 4pm – "Pay it Forward" Public Event - Come out, receive a bag of goodies and pay it forward!
Feb 28 - March 3, 2011- Week of Dialogue - The Week of Dialogue is designed to create a safe environment for interested parties (e.g. undergraduate and graduate students, fellows, faculty and community members) to engage, identify, plan, act, and reflect on issues related to health, peace, culture, religion, and community. These activities will be interconnected on local, national and international levels via blogs, video and social media.
End of the Year Event - TBA

New Article!

2010-12-16T08:22:00.004-05:00

Check out Social Entrepreneurship, Health & Regional Cooperation: The Al- Quds Sound Institute Project by Howard Weinstein under the "Articles" tab!

Upcoming club's meeting

2010-11-28T21:47:00.001-05:00

The last meeting for this Fall term is coming up. Join us on:

December 6th, 2010 from 4:30 to 5:30pm @ HNES402.

Looking forward to seeing you and continue planning for the next semester.

HBP Club is Now Accepting Applications for 'The Week of Dialogue' February 28 - March 4th 2011

2010-11-19T00:06:00.001-05:00

Application Deadline Extended: December 15, 2010. Apply now!

HBP Club @ YorkU, The Tzedaka-Sadaqah Project @ WesternU & McMasterU, and Peace by Peace @ YaleU are now accepting applications to participate in the first Week of Dialogue, Bridging Cultures: Co-Creating Networks of Cooperation.

Week of Dialogue, to be held from February 28 - March 4th 2011, is an event designed to create a safe environment for interested parties (undergraduate and graduate students, fellows, faculty and community members) to engage, identify, plan, act, and reflect on issues related to health, peace, culture, religion, and community. All participating groups will be responsible for planning and hosting a one day/half day event. These events will be interconnected on local, national and international levels.

For details and application procedures, please see the proposal guidelines and proposal application form. You can submit an on-line application by clicking here.

Also, check the Week of Dialogue's new website!

Wednesday, November 17th 4:45 - 7:30 pm HBP Club Movie Night Featuring the Movie "Arranged"

2010-11-10T15:37:00.000-05:00

HBP Movie Night

Read the article! Join the discussion on Facebook!

2010-11-03T11:48:00.002-04:00

Read the article! Join the discussion on Facebook! Can short-term volunteer work in orphanages be detrimental?

In S. Africa's Orphanages, Is Doing Good Really Bad?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130998857

Are there ways to reduce the disadvantages of short term volunteering?

Who is benefiting from volunteering abroad?

If you were a policy advisor, what type of policy would you suggest the South African government take in order to protect children from potential harm?

Do organizations organizing/facilitating such volunteering opportunities have a responsibility to tell participants of potential harm they could be doing?

What other questions does this issue bring to mind?

We'd love to hear your thoughts: http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1695076981334&sk=messages#!/group.php?gid=2517975942

HBP Club Yoga Stress Buster: De-stress & meet new people from all walks of life!

2010-10-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

When: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.

What: Power Flow Yoga (Vinyasa)

Where: McLaughlin 216

Why: To decrease stress, improve flexibility and have fun!

Remember to wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel if you can (they will also be provided).

Please RSVP by Friday, October 29, 2010 by email to: hbpclub@gmail.com

HBP Yoga Event- Nov. 3. 2010

HBP Club Upcoming Events and Monthly Meetings

2010-09-10T15:46:00.018-04:00

Upcoming Events

• Movie Night and Workshop on Health and Respectful Dialogue

When: November 17, 2010, 4:45pm
What: Movie Night
Where: TBA
Why: LEARN about arranged marriage in different cultures,
SHARE your experiences & knowledge,and
ENGAGE in a meaningful dialogue!

The movie "Arranged" will be screened and will be followed by a discussion and commentary.

"ARRANGED centers on the friendship between an Orthodox Jewish woman and a Muslim woman who meet as first-year teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. Over the course of the year they learn they share much in common - not least of which is that they are both going through the process of arranged marriages." IMDB

More details to come!

• Studying for Exams and Enjoying Winter Break – December 1 to 31, 2010

HBP Club monthly meetings will take place from 4:30 to 5:30pm @ HNES402:

• September 13, 2010

• October 4, 2010

• November 8, 2010 (location changed to HNES405)
• December 6, 2010

Past Events in Fall 2010:

• YorkFest - September 22, 2010

• Meet and Greet - September 29, 2010
4:30-5:30pm @ Health, Nursing & Environmental Science Building, York University, Keele Campus, Room: HNES402

• Second Annual Inclusion Day, Centre for Human Rights - October 6, 2010
10:00- 11:15am @ Founders College, Keele Campus York University
Register at: www.yorku.ca/respect

• Volunteer Orientation and Presentation Skills Workshop
October 20, 2010 4:30-6:30pm @ HNES 402-- CANCLED

• Stress Buster

De-stress & meet new people from all walks of life!

When: Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
What: Power Flow Yoga

Where: McLaughlin 216
Why: To decrease stress, improve flexibility and have fun!

Bring a mat or towel if you can (they will also be provided) & comfortable clothing

Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 27, 2010, via email to: hbpclub@gmail.com

Pledge to Respectful Dialogue

2010-09-10T15:39:00.001-04:00

The pledge to respectful dialogue was created by the PhotoVoice group to honour those who not only believe in respectful dialogue but also practice it on a regular basis. It is the group’s hope that this pledge will serve as a reminder of the world in which we would like to live and be signed by people who support the idea of respectful dialogue locally, provincially and globally.

Pledge to Respectful Dialogue

HBP & Peace by Peace

2010-04-29T12:02:00.002-04:00

Health as a Bridge to Peace, York University, joins to Peace By Peace Community Festival, Yale University, New Haven, USA

Health as a Bridge to Peace (HBP) was invited by Peace By Peace to showcase Photo-Voice: What is Health? at a community festival on April 25, 2010, 12-5pm in the New Haven Green. The Photo-Voice: What is Health? project combined sharing of experiences through photography, drama, poetry and storytelling to generate dialogue about identity, community, peace, culture, health, and resilience. Photo Voice: What is Health? at York University has built upon the work developed by Global Youth Voices (www.globalyouthvoices.org), Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (www.cisepo.ca), Imagine a School by Kathleen Gould Lundy and PhotoTherapy by Joel Walker. Participants were able to build relations, cooperate with others, express thoughts/feelings and work towards a common goal of peace building. The photography exhibition will be presented to the New Haven community.

The New Haven festival featured artists, musicians, influential speakers from the interfaith community, and most importantly, a food and clothing drive for those in need. The goal of the festival is to bringing together those who appreciate the importance and the role of peace and happiness in daily living.

Peace by Peace's mission is to foster communication, tolerance and peace in the New Haven and Yale communities through education, community service, and open dialogue. Peace by Peace organization intends to bring together diverse groups of people in order to cultivate understanding, regardless of religion, race, beliefs, or culture. Through this event, acts of kindness and medical care were encouraged, not directed from Israeli to Arab or from Muslim to Jew, but from human to human.

Health as a Bridge for Peace strives to encourage cooperation by getting people to work towards a common goal. The club uses health to foster peaceful cooperation both at the campus and international level through various events, shared projects and networking. Using the principles of the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program www.cisepo.ca and Global Youth Voices www.globalyouthvoices.org, the club hopes to build positive relations on campus and internationally.

Website Links:

Peace by Peace: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=267578835938&ref=mf
HBP: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=2517975942
HBP's Blog: http://healthasabridgetopeace.blogspot.com/

Club Recognized on York News Website

2010-03-16T20:20:00.001-04:00

Check out a review article of Health as a Bridge to Peace on YFile (url below)

http://www.yorku.ca/yfile/archive/index.asp?Article=14426

Final Photo Voice Event

2010-03-01T16:40:00.001-05:00

Health as a Bridge to Peace Student Club
invites you to an evening of storytelling, photography, poetry and dialogue in celebration of

Photo-Voice: What is Health?

March 10th, 2010 at 6:30pm

York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, M3J 1P3.
Room: The Underground/ Building: Student Centre

6:30-7:00- Doors open
7:00-7:20- Welcome
7:20-8:00- Performance
8:00-8:20- Exhibition
8:30-9:00- Interactive dialogue
Refreshments will be served

For RSVP by sending an email to hbpclub@gmail.com

Who are we? We are a group of York University students, staff, faculty and community members who have come
together to establish a safe space for dialogue. We used photography and drama to share stories and express issues
related to identity, culture, community, health, resiliency and peace.

Our Hope: We hope that the final performance will be an impetus to start a dialogue among the York University
community about identity, culture, community, health, peace and resiliency - aspects of life that connect us to each other.

Photo-Voice: What is Health? Project is supported by:
Office of the Dean, Faculty of Health
Office of the Dean, Faculty of Education
Destination Arts, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Fine Arts
Centre for Human Rights
International Education, Faculty of Education
Graduate Research Association of Students in Public Health (GRASP)
Calumet College Student Council and Calumet College
York Federation of Students
Office of Student Community and Leadership Development (SEED Fund)
Faculty of Health Student Caucus
Joneshouse

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Photo-Voice: What is Health? Team

New Event

2010-01-27T22:43:00.005-05:00

February 2, 2010
5:00-8:00pm
214 Calumet College,

RSVP

hbpclub@gmail.com

Light refreshments will be served.

Upcoming Events-GRASP

2009-10-14T07:44:00.000-04:00

HBP is co-sponsoring an event with GRASP (Graduate Research Association of Students in Public Health), you are invited to attend:

Imagining Global Health in the 21st Century by Solly Benatar

Date: Thursday November 5, 2009

Time: 12noon – 1:30

Room: 280N York Lanes, York University

New Event-Photo Voice

2009-10-14T07:41:00.000-04:00

"Applications can be requested by sending an email to hbpclub@gmail.com "

What is Photo-Voice: Photo-Voice uses pictures, video, and drama to showcase lived stories that need to be told.

Mission: To create a safe environment for York University students to share stories related to their own health, culture and identity. By engaging in non-judgmental conversations in artistic ways, students will connect with others and learn that we can have various perspectives and opinions but still work towards a common goal of peace.

Objectives:
- To use photography and drama to educate and share information about health, culture and identity
- To empower students to engage with each other and artistically express issues related to their health, culture and identity
- To encourage the sharing of various perspectives about issues that we all care about
- To represent one’s world view through artistic expression
- To capture the diversity of our experiences, stories, perspectives and emotions
- To ensure that all stories, especially those that have been silenced or overlooked come into the open

What we are looking for:
HBP is looking for a group of 16 dedicated York University students from a variety of experiences and walks of life to participate and share their stories.

Prior experience in the arts is not required because training will be provided.

Time commitment:
Photo-Voice will run for the academic year commencing November 2009 and concluding March 2010. There will be workshops on creating a community, photography and storytelling. The workshops will be facilitated by Joel Walker, Photographer and Psychiatrist, and Kathleen Gould- Lundy, Drama Educator and Coordinator of Destination Arts.

Dates: Wednesdays (5:00-8:00pm): November 18, December 2, 9, 16, 2009, January 6, 20, 27, February 10, 24. March 3, 2010. On February 10 we will meet from 4:30-5:30pm.

Why get involved:

Personal reasons
- To share your story
- It is free
- To better understand yourself and others
- To express yourself in new artistic ways
- To share these expressions with the other students, family and friends
- To educate others on specific issues
- To give voice to issues that are often overlooked
- To enhance life skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, team work and develop leadership skills.

Social reasons
- To be recognized by your peers and community and receive a certificate of participation
- To make a difference
- To draw attention to important issues
- To empower communities to work towards a common goal
- To learn that we have more in common than we originally thought

Photo-Voice: What is Health?
Application Form 2009-2010

Health as a Bridge to Peace (HBP) strives to encourage cooperation by getting people to work towards a common goal. The club uses health to foster peaceful cooperation both at the campus and international level through various events, shared projects and networking. Using the principles of the Canada International Scientific Exchange Program (www.cisepo.ca) and Global Youth Voices (www.globalyouthvoices.org), the club hopes to build positive relations on campus and internationally.

About Photo-Voice: Photo-Voice uses pictures, video, and drama to showcase lived stories that need to be told. By using art as the vehicle of expression and communication, previously overlooked topics are given a voice. Participants will be required to attend regular workshops on photography, story telling etc. Each workshop will be 3-hours in duration. Participants are not required to have a background in photography or the Arts.

Health as a Bridge to Peace

2009-10-05T22:37:00.001-04:00

September to May – regular meetings

October 5 – Inclusion Day, Centre for Human Rights

October 8 – General Members meeting

October 14 – Faculty of Health Student Clubs Expo

November to March – Photo-Voice

March – Photo-Voice celebration

March – 3^rd Annual Day of Dialogue Series

Welcome to the new Academic Year

2009-10-05T22:23:00.000-04:00

On October 5, 2009 HBP participated in a York U sponsored event called the "Day of Inclusion". HBP hosted one of the events. The HBP keynote address was by Professor Mahdieh Dastjerdi who spoke about the importance of language in the Canadian Health Care system. At the event, attendees participated in an activity called "Agree Disagree". This was a fun and unique way of initiating dialogue on important issues and ideas that comprise our diverse society. In all it was a fun and informative event.

Future Plans

2009-06-04T12:34:00.001-04:00

To the HBP community, executive and volunteer positions are now available. Please send us an email hbpclub@gmail.com to express your interest. We are looking for anyone and everyone with an open mind and who want to make a difference and spread the values of diversity.

have a great day

May 14 event a success

2009-05-19T15:37:00.000-04:00

On May 14, students, faculty and members of the community gathered to partake in a panel discussion of global mental health. The event entitled "Mental health mental illness: Does culture matter?" was a success. Representatives from the Canadian center for diversity created a workshop in which groups discussed ideas about diversity and its importance to Canada. The HBP executives look forward to more successful events in the future, and we want to thank all those that attended.

Health as a Bridge to Peace Initiative

2009-05-07T13:50:00.000-04:00

HBP: Health as a Bridge to Peace Student Club
York University

The 2008 -2009 academic year at York University has been a turbulent one. Starting in November 2008, the university was closed as issues of labor were argued. After about three months, classes resumed in February 2009. As it has been apparent in the news, other events transpired on the York University Campus that caused upheaval. Students were met with issues of racism and discrimination due to their religion and ethnicities. The purpose of this article is not to discuss who was right and who was wrong. Rather, the most important aspect to be dealt with is positive directions that the university has taken to promote diversity on campus.

Recently, a group of York students, faculty members and the Dean of Health gathered to discuss ways to promote respect for diversity on campus, and to create a safe space for the development of a dialogue among diverse groups. The group calls themselves ‘Health as a Bridge to Peace’ or HBP. A key issue the group hopes to address is mutual respect and listening at public events. Too often, whenever a rally or political issue arises on campus a yelling match among opposing groups ensues. The rallies primarily take place in Vari Hall at the York campus and result in disturbing classes, promoting hate on campus – rarely resulting in anything positive.

The mission statement of a Canadian university is pluralism of ideas and people. York University’s 50,000 students are a diverse group comprised of many cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Whenever a topic of sensitivity arises on campus, there are two ways to go about dealing with the issue. The first way, and the way the university has seen it happen too often, is where groups of students gather in Vari Hall and yell until no one is interested in yelling anymore. The second way, one that has not occurred frequently enough, is to gather both sides and create a dialogue whereby members of the York community, who otherwise have little or no idea about the issues, can listen and learn from each other in a positive manner.

HBP is working with the university leaders to endorse a day on campus for a “Dialogue on Diversity.” This day would be the alternative to the yelling and screaming. The aim is to have not only a day for education, but also an opportunity to encourage other quieter groups to promote their own concerns. For example the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one key matter yelled about on campus, which consequently results in Jewish students getting harassed and discriminated against, and pro-Palestinian students finding themselves heavily criticized for their methods of discussion. Fascinatingly, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not the only important global issue that has to be discussed and dealt with. If the university is a medium for great minds to gather and discuss ways in which to solve global instabilities, then dialogue is the best most peaceful method for confidence building to see a brighter future for addressing all-important issues.

Especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, open dialogue has to be a viable alternative to yelling matches. In 2009, it is incumbent on every single Canadian to promote diversity and change dealing with sensitive political issues from a manner that treads in waters of questionable racism and discrimination to a positive climate of dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation. HBP therefore is taking a stance to create a brighter student friendly forum for learning about important global issues including diversity. By working on promoting a day of dialogue on campus, HBP hopes to change the image of the hateful community at York University to the wonderfully diverse and accomplished university it actually is.

Health as a Bridge to Peace

2009-05-07T13:49:00.000-04:00

Dialogue on Diversity
Health as a Bridge to Peace Student Club
May 14, 2009

What do we have in common?
• Has your culture been discriminated against? Mine has.
• Has your culture experienced travesties? Mine has.
• Has your culture been on the front page of a newspaper? Mine has.
Do you know what culture I represent?

All cultures have experienced tragedies and for this reason, I encourage you to get to know me so we can analyze our similarities and differences, discuss controversial topics and work towards a common goal.

Recently a group of students, administrators, faculty and the Dean of Health gathered to discuss and postulate ways of promoting diversity on campus. The group is called Health as a Bridge to Peace (HBP). Health as a Bridge for Peace strives to encourage cooperation by getting people to work towards a common goal. The club uses health to foster peaceful cooperation both at the campus and international level through various events, shared projects and networking. Using the principles of the Canadian International Scientific Exchange Program (www.cisepo.ca) and Global Youth Voices (www.globalyouthvoices.org), the club hopes to build positive relations on campus and internationally.

HBP has organized an event for May 14, 2009 from 4:30 to 7:30 in 305 York Lanes to discuss Mental Health – Mental Illness: does culture matter? At the event, three distinguished professors will dialogue the role of culture in mental health. Following the panelists, attendees will participate in a workshop organized by the Canadian Centre for Diversity. Through open discussions, we can assess stereotypes, openly talk about covert and overt assumptions and learn something about ourselves and others.

If you would like to become an active member of HBP or receive information on upcoming events, please contact hbpclub@gmail.com The time has come for everyone to promote diversity and deal with sensitive issues respectfully. Take a stance and make a difference.