I’m sure all students on campus have noticed the array of flags strewn across the Student Center. But I’m not quite sure we all know why or who chose to put them on display for our community to appreciate and in effort to help us actively celebrate each individual’s unique background.
Every year on Sept. 21, in accordance with the United Nations observance of the International Day of Peace, United World College Scholars from St. Lawrence University plan and organize events across campus. Their efforts “showcase what is possible when people come together to learn, take action, and make a difference,” according to information provided on the University’s website.
In addition to International Day of Peace, Sept. 21 is also United World College (UWC) Day, which is aimed at celebrating the UWC mission. UWC enables “students from all over the world to come together to get an education,” states student organizer Lehlomela Mofali ’23. The mission is specifically focused on education, and also community service, social justice and climate justice, Mofali further explains.
Typically, the celebration lasts for a day, but this year student organizers decided to extend festivities for the duration of the week. “It’s a one day thing, but we had too many activities to do in one day, so at SLU we stretched it out to a week,” says Mofali. “and had a peace week.”
In addition to flags hanging in the Student Center, the festivities this year included a plastic bottle drive, mental health discussion and formal. The mental health discussion, which was in collaboration with the counseling center, covered how on-campus counseling could be more helpful to international students and how mental health was treated in UWC schools, states Mofali.
Fernanda León Canseco ’22, also an organizer of the week long peace celebration, explains the significance of the mental health discussion. Mental health looks different in different cultures, she says. “Someone from a westernized culture might think therapy will solve all their problems,” states León Canseco. “But maybe for other people it’s a bit harder to sit down with someone.”
León Canseco also explains that she wanted to take initiative when planning these events because she has good memories of her UWC experience and supports the mission. “I believe that if we understand each other then maybe we won’t be in conflict with each other,” León Canseco says. “So I wanted to inspire other people and honor my experience and the experiences of others with UWC.”
León Canseco further states that most diversity and inclusion discussions pertain to theory. The concepts are there, but the personal level is lacking. “Events like last week’s are very powerful because they allow us to learn from others.” Not from a shallow or judgemental place, rather a personal one, she says.