Health as a Bridge to Peace

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.