A host of different cultures from around the world will join together at King’s College today (Tuesday, February 8) in an event that aims to promote cultural awareness at the University of Aberdeen.
Organised by AIESEC - the world’s largest student organisation - Global Village will welcome an eclectic mix of traditions from eight countries in a bid to showcase the University’s multi-cultural community.
Societies and organisations affiliated with AUSA (Aberdeen University Students Association) will set up stalls in Elphinstone Hall between 9.00am and 4.00pm. These include the Afri-Carribean Society, Slavic Society, The Christian Union, Shared Planet, Conservation Society, European Society, French Society, Muslim Society, Celtic Society, Amnesty International, Indian Society and the German Society.
Event organiser Susan Sharawi, Vice President of Member Development (AIESEC Aberdeen), said she was inspired to organise Global Village when she realised there were no opportunities to unite the University’s groups and societies.
She said: “I was flicking through the booklets that Freshers students are given that list all the different societies and the various events that are held during the year. I noticed there were no events that unite the people who are part of the different societies.
“We really wanted to do something that would bring all the cultures at the University together for a day of cultural awareness and celebration.”
“I feel that one of the best ways to learn and accept new cultures is to experience it through food, strangely enough cuisine seems to be an amazing medium for connecting people”
During the day staff, students and members of the general public are invited along to Elphinstone Hall to browse the stalls and to enjoy the entertainment which will range from African bongo playing and dancers, to bagpipes and Russian folk singing, Samba dancing and belly dancing.
There will be a variety of food that can be sampled during the day including Bombay sweets from
India to traditional German cakes. There will be an assortment of treats and snacks provided at several of the stalls, prepared freshly for students and the public to explore.
Today’s Global Village event is being sponsored by NUS (National Union of Students), Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MeAL), The Academy, Aberdeen Independent, Café International and Vue Cinemas
AIESEC, formerly a French acronym for Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales, is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society. AIESEC is present in over 800 universities in 89 countries and territories.
In addition to providing over 5,000 leadership positions and delivering over 350 conferences, AIESEC also runs an exchange programme that enables over 3,500 students and recent graduates the opportunity to live and work in another country.