Malaspina co-hosts International Women's Day Conference and Gala

February 23, 2006

Since 1908, March 8 has been recognized as a day to honour and celebrate women the world over.

To commemorate this day in the mid-Vancouver Island region, a one-day conference and evening gala called Renewal: An International Women’s Day celebration will be take place at Malaspina University-College's Nanaimo campus on March 8.

"The theme of the conference and gala is peace," said Lynn Rollison, a nursing professor at Malaspina and one of the event organizers. "We will explore this theme through interactive workshops, video presentations, story-telling, interactive discussion, live music, African and belly dance performances, and a sumptuous buffet dinner put on by the award-winning Malaspina Culinary Arts program."

Rollison said the conference will appeal to people of all ages who are interested in promoting peace on a local and global basis.

The conference includes 11 workshops, a silent auction and gala evening, and a keynote address by Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford, author of Enough Blood Shed. Winner of the prestigious Gandhi Award, the Governor General of Canada Medal, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the YWCA Peace Medal, Ashford is a much sought-after speaker and advocate for peace and human rights. At the conference, she will speak about Women and Peace Building.

Other speakers include Thora Howell, a supporter of Nanaimo writers, Laura Cranmer, an instructor in the First Nations program at Malaspina, Paulette Roscoe, naturopathic doctor, and students enrolled in Malaspina’s Health and Human Services courses.

"Women’s issues impact all of us," said Beverly Revin, chair of Malaspina’s Early Childhood Education and Care program and co-coordinator of the conference. "The conference and gala is a perfect opportunity for participants to explore these issues more fully."

Workshop topics include the changing roles of women, health and wellness, how violence affects women, stories of sex trade workers in BC, feminism today, a retrospective of women writier’s today, global education for equality and the experiences of teenage mothers from First Nations communities.

Pre-registration for the conference is required. Tickets are $60 for the day, and $40 for a half day. ($30 for students for the full day)

Appetizers and no-host bar will be available at a pre-gala event. Tickets for the Gala evening are $30 each.

All proceeds from the conference will be donated to the Nanaimo Women’s Resources Society. The event is co-sponsored by Malaspina University-College, the Nanaimo District Teacher’s Association and the Nanaimo Women’s Resources Society.

For conference details visit the website at http://web.viu.ca/revinb or call Beverly Revin at 753-3245, local 2830 or email at revinb@viu.ca.

To register, call 1-866-734-6252. Registration deadline for the gala event is February 28 and March 5 for the conference.