Invitation: Please Post YOUR Projects and Ideas for the GSP for this Academic Year

Dear Global Scholars,

As mentioned at our last meeting, I would like to invite you all to CO-DESIGN your Global Scholar Experience at FDU Vancouver.

Please share with the rest of us this Friday from 12:30 to 2:00 what PROJECTS and other IDEAS you would like to initiate this academic year. Please bring a brief WRITTEN summary of your project and/or ideas (with all the necessary background information, such as links to relevant websites and other details) so that we can keep track of your suggestions and/or post relevant information to this blog clicking on "comment."

Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday at 12:30!

Gudrun

PS: You may need to sign up for this blog with a google account in order to be able to comment. You can create your google (gmail) account for free. It only takes a few minutes :)

Global Scholars Discussion Circle - January and February 2014

Hi Global Scholars and Global Leaders,

Welcome to a new term of global learning and cultural exchange!

I would like to invite all of you to share your thoughts about any global topics you find of interest. They can - but do not have to - be related to our official program for this term.

The two bigger university events we will be celebrating this term are International Happiness Day on March 26th, 12 to 5 pm (together with FDU New Jersey) and World Health Day on April 7th, 12 to 3 pm. I would like to encourage you to contribute actively to both events: presentations, performances, info posters and other displays are particularly welcome! We also need people to help organize multicultural food and to help with the clean-up and recycling!

Please find below also once more this term's official GSP list of events (which you have all received by email earlier this term).

Have a great term!

Gudrun

Global Scholars – Program for Spring 2014

Meeting Dates & Events 

ATTENDANCE REQUIRED for 
* ALL DISCUSSION CIRCLES 
* the 2 UN VIDEO CONFERENCES
* at least 4 of the FDU EVENTS, which include:
   - International Happiness Day
   - World Health Day
   - the 4 Diplomatic Speaker Series Events
* at least 2 or 3 Cultural Events

Fri, Jan 25^th

Global Scholars Discussion Circle -> Meeting Times & Planning (email conversations)

Ongoing all February (Thu & Fri only), 7:30 pm

Free Concerts – CBC Toque Sessions (concert series)

Details: http://www.hellobc.com/servicefelisting/all-events/4583572/cbc-toque-sessions-free-concerts.aspx

Ongoing all February (until March 2)

Flight of the Dragon – Soar Over China (show)

Fly Over Canada, 201 – 999 Canada Place – tickets: adults: $21.95, students: 19:95

http://www.flyovercanada.com

Ongoing (Tue to Sat) all February, 10 am to 5:00 pm

Chinese Works on Paper: Liu Wenxi & Xu Yisheng (art exhibit)

Uno Langman Limited Fine Art,  2117 Granville Street – free admission

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=9321&menuid=227

Ongoing (Tue to Sun) February and March (until March 30^th), 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Marvellous Real:  Art from Mexico, 1926-2011 (art exhibit))

Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 North West Marine Drive  -

Admission: adults: $16.75, students: $14.50; special rate on Tue evenings, 5:00 to 9:00 pm: $9.00

http://moa.ubc.ca/experience/exhibit_details.php?id=1275

Ongoing (Mon to Sat) all February, 12:00 to 5:00 pm

About Face (art exhibit)

Cityspace Community Art Space, 335 Lonsdale Ave, North Van – free admission

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=9246&menuid=227

Ongoing until March 15^th,  Tue to Fri, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sat, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sound Play (interactive exhibit – experiencing music and sound)

ArtStarts Gallery, 808 Richards Street (at Robson) – free admission (suitable for kids as well)

http://artstarts.com/gallery           

Ongoing (all year)

Contemporary Art Gallery

555 Nelson Street, Tue to Sun, 12-6 pm

Free Admission

Details: http://www.contemporaryartgallery.ca/about/

Ongoing most of March (March 7^th to 29th

International Dance Festival  (dance performances)

Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews & Vancouver Playhouse

Details: http://www.vidf.ca  Tickets: between $25 & $60  (pass for several shows: $96)

Wed, Feb 5^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Consul General of Peru, Mr. Augusto Morelli Salgado – Room 130

Thu, Feb 6^th or Fri, Feb 7^th or Sat, Feb 8^th

A Brimful of Asha: a Tale of Love and Marriage (Play)

[Part of the PUSH Festival]

Revue Theatre, 1585 Johnston Street

Ti- Tickets: $50

http://artsclub.com/shows/2013-2014/a-brimful-of-asha

Sat, Feb 8^th, 7:30 pm

Chinese New Year  (Concert)

Orpheum Theatre – tickets: $15 to $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13PRC01/

Sat, Feb 8^th, 8:00 pm

William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure  (Play)

Pacific Theatre, 1440 West 12^th Ave – Tickets: $31.50

https://tickets.pacifictheatre.org/TheatreManager/1/online   

Sun, Feb 9^th, 7:30 pm

Celebrate Korea  (Concert)

Orpheum Theatre – tickets: $15 to $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13PRC02/

Tue, Feb 11^th, 5:00-6:30 pm

Dr. Patrick Moore, “Confessions of a Green-Peace Drop-Out” (Talk)

UBC, Buchanan A, 103 – Free Admission

Wed, Feb 12^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Dr. Mike Wilkinson, Director of Human Performance, Canucks Sports & Entertainment – Room 130

Friday, Feb 14^th, 3:00-3:500 pm

Global Scholars Discussion Circle:

Planning of Global Scholars Special Cultural Events for the Term

Let me know:

è which events & sessions you are planning to attend (not limited to the ones listed) &

è  what topics for discussion you would like to focus on in our meetings!

Student Lounge – if you can’t make it, email me your choices that day!

Friday, Feb 14^th, 8:00 pm

A Romantic Valentine  (Concert)

Orpheum Theatre – Tickets: $21 to $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13POPS04/

Mon, Feb 17^th, 12:00-12:50 pm – Room 130

Global Scholars Discussion Circle – Special Session

Dr. Cecil Abrahams, FDU Campus Provost in Conversation with All Global Scholars

Sun, Feb 23, 12:00 noon

Celebration of Powwow Culture: Aboriginal Dance, Music, Arts, and Food

[Part of the Aboriginal Talking Stick Festival]

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific)

Tickets: pay what you can

Mon,  Feb 24^th, 12:00-12:50 – Room 130

Be the Change Circle

Room TBA

Tue, Feb 25^th, 9:00-10:30 am

United Nations Pathway Video Conference Series

Adam Dieng: “The Path to Preventing and Healing Human Rights & Humanitarian Crises in Today’s World – Room 130

Wed, Feb 26^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Consul General of Vietnam, Mr. Quang Dung– Room 130

Wed, Feb 26^th and/or Thu, Feb 27^th, 8 pm

Convergence: Currents of Contemporary Aboriginal Dance (Dance Performance)

[Part of the Aboriginal Talking Stick Festival]

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific)

Tickets: adults: $25, students/seniors: $18, groups: $17

http://ticketstonight.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2425

Wed, Mar 5^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Colin Cree, EFS e-Forensic Services Inc: “Trends in Digital Evidence/Investigations”

Room 130

Fri, Feb 28^th, 8:00 pm

Ch’odza – She Is Dancing: Raven Spirit Dance, Film, and Theatre (not suitable for children J)

[Part of the Aboriginal Talking Stick Festival]

Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific)

Tickets: adults: $25, students/seniors: $18, groups: $17

http://ticketstonight.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2426

Sat, March 1^st, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Multicultural Health Fair

Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive – Free Admission!

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=9117&menuid=227

Sat, Mar 1^st, 1:00 pm

Our Stories, Your Stories

with Storytellers Jack Dalton (Yup’ik Inuit, Alaska) and Moses Goods (Hawaii) (Storytelling)

[Part of the Aboriginal Talking Stick Festival]

Vancity Culture Lab @ The Cultch

1895 Venables Street – Tickets: “pay what you can”

Sat, Mar 1^st, 7:00 pm

Overly Creative Minds: The Leaders of Tomorrow Speak Today! (Spoken Word & Performances)

[Part of the Aboriginal Talking Stick Festival]

Vancity Culture Lab @ The Cultch

1895 Venables Street – Tickets: “pay what you can”

Sat, Mar 1^st, 8:00 pm or Sun, Mar 2^nd, 2:00 pm

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony & Mozart & Strauus (Concert)

Orpheum – tickets: between $21 and $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13SPEC03/

Mon, Mar 3^rd, 12:00-12:50 pm – Room 130

Global Scholar Discussion Circle

Mon, Mar 10^th, 12:00-12:50 – Room 130

Be the Change Circle

Wed, Mar 12^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

HC General of South Africa, Mr. Chris Meyer  – Room 130

Fri, Mar 14^th, 8:30 – 10:30 am (morning!!!)

! United Nations Association of Canada:

Networking Breakfast: Think Global, Link Local

Floata Restaurant, 1800 Keefer Street

Admission: $25 (sign up early to choose the organization(s) you want to connect to!)

Details & Registration: http://unavancouver.wordpress.com/think-global-link-local/

Mon, Mar 17^th  12:00-12:50 pm – Room 130

Global Scholar Discussion Circle

Mon,  Mar 24^th, 12:00-12:50 – Room 130

Be the Change Circle

Wed, Mar 26^th, 12:00 to 5:00 pm

FDU Happiness Day

with talks, information, videos, activities, and multicultural music, dance, and food

Room 130

Mon, Mar 31^st, 12:00-12:50 pm – Room 130

Global Scholar Discussion Circle

Sat, Apr 5^th, 8:00 pm

Rachmaninoff & More (Concert)

Orpheum Theatre – tickets: $21 to $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13SPF03/

Mon, Apr 7^th, 12:00 to 4:00 pm

FDU Health Day – with Talks, Info Displays, Slide Shows and Screenings – Room 130

Tue, Apr 8^th, 9:00-10:30 am

United Nations Pathway Video Conference Series

Jeffrey Huffins: “The Role of Civil Society in the Post-2015 Agenda (28-29 Aug. 2014)” – Room 130

Wed, Apr 9^th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

HC General of Ecuador, Mr. Etienne Walter– Room 130

Thu, Apr 10^th, 8:00 pm

Schubert and Bartok  (Concert)

Pyatt Hall – tickets: $35

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13VCP03/

Fri,  Apr 11th, 12:00-12:50 – Room TBA

Be the Change Circle

Mon, Apr 14^th, 12:00-12:50 pm – Room 130

Global Scholar Discussion Circle

Sat, April 12^th – Vaisakhi?

Mon, April 14^th – Vaisakhi FDU?

Sat, May 3^rd or Mon, May 5^th, 8:00 pm

Orff, Carmina Burana & Rimsky Korsakov & Borodin (Concert)

Orpheum Theatre – tickets: $21 to $88

http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/13SPEC04/

? Participation in We Day ?

è Please let Laure know if you are interested! She will let you know the details!

MORE SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!

Creating Positive Change in a Non-Violent Way, 2: Nelson Mandela

Another famous role model for creating positive change is Nelson Mandela. Please read the following speech he gave in 1964 (available at: http://db.nelsonmandela.org/speeches/pub_view.asp?pg=item&ItemID=NMS010&txtstr=prepared%20to%20die) - with a particular focus on the last 3 pages - and describe Mandela's main message and argumentation in this speech.

Please compare Mandela's values and ideas to Gandhi's - and then compare both to your own.

Enjoy!

Gudrun

Creating Positive Change in a Non-Violent Way, 1: Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi has been revered world-wide as a role model of creating positive change in a non-violent way. I think it is therefore worthwhile if we try to learn from him.

Please watch the movie Gandhi (available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HT4BM7cgJw) and think about it. Then answer the following questions:

1. Please describe at least 5 of the non-violent strategies that Gandhi uses in his attempt to gain equal rights and independence & illustrate each with a concrete example (from the movie or other sources you are familiar with).

2. Think about 5 contexts in your own life in which you could use these - or similar non-violent - strategies to create more equality, freedom, happiness, love, or other, similarly positive outcomes. Use examples that are reasonably "safe," i.e. make sure you find contexts in which it is highly unlikely that you might get killed or that you might get insured or hurt or imprisoned etc if you act that way. Stick to simple things that you can actually do in the real world - but be very specific and concrete. Try out at least ONE of these examples in reality.

3. Identify one of the main global problems we face in the 21st century. Imagine you are Gandhi. Describe how you would go about solving this problem. Since answering this question, unlike question #2, is a purely mental/fictional exercise, you can imagine to be as courageous as Gandhi was and you can take personal risks. However, please do NOT act this out in reality - at least not as long as you are a student at FDU 

Please post your answers as comments - and feel free to read and comment on your friends' comments....

Thank you!

Gudrun

Be the Change - Circle at FDU & Student Leadership Initiative

Hi All,

As those of you know who have attended "The Dreamer Awakes - Be the Change" Symposium at FDU last Saturday (21 Sept 2013), we will be hosting a "Circle" at FDU that has grown out of the event.

The Circle has been designed to help us manifest our dreams or ideas of change in reality - which, I think, is something ALL Global Scholars may want to start doing :)

Meeting times: about 5 times per term.
First Meeting: Friday, October 4th, 4:00 pm, Room 135, FDU.

The Circle is open to the general public. So if you have friends outside of FDU who are interested, please invite them.

Be the Change is an organization that focuses on creating more sustainability through student leadership and community initiatives. Here a link to their mission: http://www.bethechangeearthalliance.org/mission

Participation in Be the Change is particularly useful for Global Scholars, since you will get the opportunity to practice leadership skills in addition to creating lasting positive change.

Gudrun

Selected Political, Social, and Economic Theories about the Interconnectedness of Our World

Hi All,

1) 

Please watch the following videos and discuss them briefly:

a) Crashcourse: Capitalism & Socialism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3u4EFTwprM

b) The Story of Stuff

http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff/

c) Global Ethics vs. National Interest

http://www.ted.com/talks/gordon_brown_on_global_ethic_vs_national_interest.html

d) Tools for a Better World

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamais_cascio_looks_ahead.html

2)

Think about any of the issues raised in any of these videos - or in books, articles, or other videos about similar topics - and comment on them here.

3)

Imagine you have absolute power - and the responsibility to restructure the social, economical, and political system of a country. Please describe in details what kind of system you would create and why you think it would work well. Feel free to be fictional and come up with a utopian world.

I hope you enjoy in particular coming up with answers to question 3  :)

Gudrun

Topic 4 - Our New Global Scholars Program

Dear All,

After our previous discussions as well as our session with our Campus Provost, Dr. Cecil Abrahams, I wonder if we can all agree on something like the following as guidelines for our GSP:

1. The Global Scholars Program at FDU Vancouver Has the Following Goals and Objectives and Includes the Following Privileges:

1. to help program participants learn about global issues through specifically designed GS classes (POLS 1111, 2112, 3113) and through discussions of relevant topics in regular meetings with other global scholars (GS Discussion Circle)
2. to give all GS the chance to present topics of global importance to their fellow students as well as to the FDU community at large
3. to increase and deepen the participants' understanding of global issues through the opportunity of attending a number of special guest lectures given by experts in areas of global relevance (such as business, politics, philosophy, art, etc)
4. to provide the opportunity for all GS to attend special cultural - as well as multicultural and/or international - events 
5. to invite GS to participate in visits and/or trips to relevant institutions and places of global interest
6. to give GS the chance to develop their leadership skills by encouraging them to provide guidance, help, and advice to other FDU students in various academic and other matters
7. to provide the opportunity for all program participants to represent FDU at special events as "FDU Student Ambassadors"

2. All Global Scholars at FDU Vancouver are Expected to Participate in the Global Scholars Program in the Following Ways:

1. by putting the time, work, energy, and enthusiasm into the GSP that is necessary to make the program as meaningful, unique, effective, enjoyable, and successful as they envision it - after all, a participatory program, such as the GSP, is always exactly as good as its participants make it
2. by engaging actively in the discussion of various global topics in the GS Discussion Circle meetings and/or smaller project groups as well as via our electronic communication tools (in particular facebook, email, and GS blog) - and by doing some additional reading and research about specific topics as well as other assignments if they come up
3. by taking their role as FDU Ambassadors seriously and therefore also participating in all - or at least most - FDU events
4. by consciously and consistently trying to function as 'role models' for other FDU students - both in their academic work and in their sense of responsibility and overall behaviour 
5. by creating more awareness for existing global as well as local problems among their fellow students as well as by trying to help find solutions to overcome these problems 
6. by taking responsibility for the future - and thus help create a better, healthier,  happier, and more sustainable world - through specific projects, volunteering, and other forms of relevant, peaceful action
7. by using their leadership opportunities at FDU to inspire other students to encourage them to get involved in these projects, responsibilities, and actions as well

This is only a draft and needs to be discussed and modified further. Please let's talk about what you think of this little list - and in what way(s) you would like change or modify it. Of course, please let's also discuss in particular all the points that you would like to add.

Thank you,

Gudrun

GS Discussion - Week 4

Dear All,

Our Campus Provost, Dr. Cecil Abrahams, will join us tomorrow for our Discussion Circle and talk with you about the Global Scholars Program.

See you at 4:00 pm,

Gudrun

Topic 3: Leadership

Dear All,

If you are interested in the topic Leadership - and/or if you would like to develop your Leadership Skills further - please have a look at (some of) the books and links below. Please feel also free to add other reading and listening suggestions.

Thank you,
Gudrun

Here the books:

1) Deepak Chopra. The Soul of Leadership: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness. 

• http://www.amazon.ca/The-Soul-Leadership-Unlocking-Potential/dp/030740806X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359524127&sr=8-1

-> free sample chapter:

•  http://www.chopra.com/files/newsletter/Jan11/Newsletter-Jan11-deepak.html

-> see also the following clips that introduce the book and explain some of the main concepts:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphUIGm7Nnk&list=PL87F2A17CA67E3CC3
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk5IgT-3xM&list=PL87F2A17CA67E3CC3
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJZJUpDDm4&list=PL87F2A17CA67E3CC3
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM4GGkJ30-g&list=PL87F2A17CA67E3CC3
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lDAc8Ig_6I&list=PL87F2A17CA67E3CC3

2) Wayne Dyer. The Power of Intention.

Book:

• http://www.amazon.com/Power-Intention-Dr-Wayne-Dyer/dp/1401902162/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359529245&sr=1-6&keywords=wayne+dyer

Talk [youtube]:

• Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBdf0sCXYJI
• Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJJLhz2duNo

3) Lisa Petrilli. The Introvert's Guide to Success in Business and Leadership. 

Book:

• http://www.amazon.com/Introverts-Success-Business-Leadership-ebook/dp/B006BDRADK/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359528440&sr=1-7&keywords=leadership+development

Short Talk [youtube]:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mIGQjmSEVI

GS Discussion - Week 3: Peer Leadership Workshop

Dear Global Scholars,

Our new FDU Counsellor, Ms. Yoko Ito, will join us this week for a special workshop: an Introduction to Peer Leadership and Advising. Time as usual: 4:00 to 4:50 pm.

Thank you!

Gudrun