Four Cultures | One World: The 22nd Annual East Asian Festival

Vibrant performances, fun and interactive booths, and delicious food await you at this year's East Asian Festival: Family and Culture Day. Family and friends are welcome to attend this open event.  Enjoy face painting, learn Chinese, Japanese, and Korean calligraphy, and try on the traditional costumes of the featured countries. Plus don't forget to visit the raffle table! The Festival raises funds for the growth and promotion of Renison University College's East Asian Studies program in order to build community spirit and develop cultural and educational opportunities with Pacific Rim countries. Four Cultures | One World: The 22nd Annual East Asian Festival

Challenging and transformative interfaith engagement launching this fall at Renison

Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, with support from the Anglican Foundation of Canada, is set to launch a three-month interfaith series exploring how we theologically approach and process the "darkness" of evil and oppression perpetrated with religious sanction or in the name of religion. Called "Dealing with Our Darknesses: An Anglican-Muslim Conversation about Transgression, Penitence, and Transformation," the series features expert presentations and facilitated community conversations. Topics include the "Residential Schools" and the religiously sanctioned violation of the indigenous peoples of Canada; the phenomena of religious militancy, religiously sanctioned violence, and the (seemingly) widening appeal of radical, xenophobic, homophobic militancy; gender oppression and sexual violence justified by patriarchal traditions and misogynist readings of religious texts; and predatory crimes perpetrated by religious leaders and people in positions of authority within our communities. Challenging and transformative interfaith engagement launching this fall at Renison

International Symposium explores the cultural intersection of Multi-national Chinese and First Nations people of Canada

On Friday, September 30, Renison will host a five-day International Symposium entitled "Shared Cultural Pasts? A Comparative Conversation Exploring the Culture of Multi-national Chinese and First Nations Peoples in Canada." The symposium coincides with the 22nd East Asian Festival at Renison and will begin immediately afterwards in the Confucius Institute (CI), Waterloo China Studies Center, Room 2103, Renison Academic Building. This symposium is co-sponsored by the CI in Waterloo, Renison, the Institute of Ethnic Literature, and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Renison community, staff and faculty are encouraged to attend. A schedule of events is posted online on the International Symposium event page. International Symposium explores the cultural intersection of Multi-national Chinese and First Nations people of Canada

Renison welcomes two new faculty members

Renison has recently welcomed two new faculty to its Social Development Studies program and the School of Social Work. Craig Fortier is an Assistant Professor with the Social Development Studies program with extensive experience in social work. Craig’s research and publication have been primarily in the area of the social movements, colonization/decolonization, Canadian politics and Indigenous theory. Zack Marshall’s research and practice is focused on transformative social change. Interested in both direct practice and policy change. Zack has over 15 years experience working in the fields of mental health, harm reduction, and sexual health. He is cross-appointed in Social Development Studies and the School of Social Work. Renison welcomes two new faculty members in Social Development Studies and the School of Social Work

EFAS and GEAR practice English skills with fun excursion to Laser Quest

Last Wednesday, September 21, our English for Academic Success (EFAS) and General English at Renison (GEAR) students embarked on a fun adventure to Laser Quest Kitchener to play a couple of rounds of laser tag with our English Language Institute (ELI) Peer Leaders, Faye and Noah. Each of these programs allows students to immerse themselves in Canadian culture beyond their regular studies. According to Student Experience Coordinator Ryan Connell, "The student experience goes much further than just the classroom. We work to ensure our event programs support our students in all aspects of their wellbeing and educational success, while also immersing them in Canadian life through off-campus trips to Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Canada’s Wonderland." EFAS and GEAR practice English skills with fun excursion to Laser Quest