International Week Opening

With the Olympic Theme sounding through the rafters, dozens of student flag bearers strode up the Chapel aisle Monday morning and greeted the gathered community in their own languages to mark the opening of International Week at Shawnigan.

Guest speaker, Anglican Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, has travelled extensively in his life and referenced Marshall McLuhan’s coining of the phrase “the Global Village” in the 1950s. “You are the first generation in history to be born into a truly globalized world,” he said, noting how transportation links and many new technologies have brought the world closer together.

“Some see this globalization as a threat, but as we come to know one another and understand one another, we begin to see that we share the same concerns,” Archbishop Hutchison said. He then spoke of unifying laws such as Canada’s Multiculturalism Act which “fosters a sense of belonging while respecting diversity.” He also detailed the United Nations’ seven millennium development goals by 2015 that include eradicating hunger and poverty, achieving universal primary education, fostering gender equality, reducing child mortality, combating disease, increasing women’s healthcare and establishing environmental security.

“Shawnigan Lake School this week honours cultures that make up our common life and make inclusive all world cultures,” he said. “Be proud of your culture and its contribution to the global community.”

– Caryl Worden, Communications

Photos by Stephen Lane