Diversity week promises something different

Promoting awareness of disability, celebrating difference and opposing racism and discrimination are some of the goals of UQ’s Diversity Week starting Monday (May 9).

It will be UQ’s third Diversity Week which is held annually to increase understanding about issues such as cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, disability, sexuality, gender, family and carer responsibilities, racism and Indigenous Australian history and culture.

UQ’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Rix said diversity was one of the University’s great strengths.

“Diversity represents what universities are about – understanding ideas and interpretations of the world around us, both cultural and natural,” Professor Rix said.

About 30 events including public concerts, forums, lectures and tours will be held around UQ’s St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses from May 9 to 13.

Jazz great James Morrison plays a public concert in support of international friendship at UQ on Monday with UQ's Vice-Chancellor’s Equity and Diversity Awards announced on Friday at Customs House, Brisbane.

The founder and President of the Arab and Australian Women's Friendship Association, Mrs Nadia Masarweh, will speak on women in the Arab world.

Her husband, His Excellency Samir Masarweh, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, will also attend.

UQ St Lucia will hold a multifaith forum covering a range of religions, a discussion on women’s voting rights and breastfeeding and disability seminars will be held at St Lucia.

UQ Ipswich is hosting a combating racism lecture, a diversity photographic competition, diversity bannerpainting, films and an international food festival.

UQ Gatton will hold an indigenous issues forum and a Tertiary Tastes program to give prospective students with disabilities a taste of residential university life and their study options.

Visit the Diversity Week website: www.uq.edu.au/diversity-week/ for more information including all event details.

Media: contact Professor Rix (phone: 07 3381 1002, email: a.rix@uq.edu.au) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications on (phone: 07 3365 2619, email: m.holland@uq.edu.au)