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The COVID-19 outbreak has brought changes to people’s lives in an unprecedented way, all over the world. Travel restrictions, stagnant commerce and overloaded hospitals have not been the world norm for generations. One of the first measures adopted by governments worldwide to fight the spread of the virus was the reduction in international air travel.…
The online Language Sciences flash talks at the University of British Columbia features the diverse research done on language sciences by several leading members of the UBC faculty. Everyone is welcome to attend the May 19, 1 p.m. presentations. “The event features three Language Sciences members, from different research themes, who will each give a…
With no plans in place for a 2020 BC Buddhist Festival, Vesak celebrations – the annual holiday of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death – may have to take place from home this year to adapt to the measures in place to deal with COVID-19. The BC Buddhist Festival usually draws large turnouts for the celebration…
When Vancouver’s Mayor Gregor Robertson and the city council headed off to Chinatown on April 22, 2018 to deliver a formal apology to the Chinese Canadian community for Vancouver’s history of exclusionary laws and legalized racism, it left a legacy. The apology itself was symbolic as Vancouver’s leaders left their seat of power at city…
Chilean-Canadian bilingual writer Carmen Rodríguez has been nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award this year under the Arts, Culture & Design division for her trailblazing work in the field of literature. Rodríguez spent her early childhood in both the southern Chilean city of Valdivia where she was born in 1948 and in the…
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a watershed event for the world. It has brought drastic changes to all aspects of people’s lives, some temporary, some permanent. A new study, launched by UBC health psychologists Anita DeLongis and Nancy Sin, aims to provide some insights on the impacts of COVID-19 on people’s mental and physical…
The United Nations celebrates one of its six official languages, Chinese, on April 20th. Chinese Language Day marks the contribution of the Chinese language and culture to world culture. Jia Fei, PhD, a senior lecturer teaching Chinese language and culture at Simon Fraser University (SFU) feels that the Chinese language is special and she hopes…
As nearly everybody in the country adjusts to social distancing, and isolation continues to interfere with careers, relationships and spiritual communities, newer Canadians and non-citizens face an extra layer of challenges. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, those arriving in Canada are under mandatory 14-day quarantine, private gatherings are under heavy restrictions, and borders have…
Shannon Permal recently won the Shakti Award for Volunteering (Youth) for her community involvement this year. “I have become heavily involved with youth-related projects and initiatives through my involvement in a couple of different organizations,” Permal says, speaking of her varied volunteer endeavours. Background Born and raised in Surrey, Permal has roots in the South…
Easter: a time of hopping bunnies and chocolate eggs? Not for the religious communities of Metro Vancouver, who are living it up towards the Holy Week at the end of March with a whole month of special religious services, culminating in the Easter celebration on the 1st of April. The Christian Easter period begins with…
In light of the recent pipeline conflict and the fraught deadlock Canada has found itself in, Madison Stevens talks about the intersection of stewardship rights and conservation, where people may find ways to reduce community friction and promote greater understanding. From a BA in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies from Franklin University in Switzerland, to…
The theme of International Women’s Day this year is #EachforEqual. It highlights the strength that comes when individuals with different lived experiences come together for a greater purpose. When we all work together, we can achieve anything. As senators, we are particularly privileged because we hold some power. As women, we draw on our own…
“Do Canadians really find it acceptable that there’s two sets of human rights, depending on whether or not you have a piece of paper in this country?” Lee asks. Documentary filmmaker and Associate Professor at OCAD University, Min Sook Lee, believes the story of migrant workers’ experience in Canada is critical to expose. The Migrant…
