Multiculturalism and Its Benefits for USQ, Education City and the Greater Springfield Community
Two forums were organised, one for students and staff at USQ Springfield on Monday 21 May 2007 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the lecture theatre A3LR3 and the second forum for the Ipswich and Greater Springfield communities at the Leichhardt Community Centre, 1 Denman Street, West Ipswich on Monday 4 June 2007. |
 |
Background
The Multicultural Centre was successful in receiving a grant to organise this project from the Multicultural Assistance Program Grant, Multicultural Affairs Queensland. This project is an extension on work done in 2004 to bring local people, community groups and members of USQ together in a series of seminars and workshops.
The aim of the project is to promote:
-
understanding of the diverse ethnic backgrounds within the Ipswich/Springfield area;
-
appreciation of the benefits that cultural diversity can bring to a community;
-
exploration of specific benefits to USQ and the local community;
-
discussion between community leaders on how best to work effectively given the rapidly expanding and culturally diverse Springfield/Ipswich areas.
USQ Springfield Forum
Monday 21 May 2007 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Lecture Theatre A3LR3, USQ Springfield
Presenters:
Don McMillen, Professor of Asian and International Studies, School of Humanities and Mass Communications, USQ Toowoomba.
Retha Wiesner, Assoc. Professor, Faculty of Business and Law, USQ Toowoomba.
Issues explored were: Concepts of ‘citizenship' and ‘productive diversity' in an increasingly localised and globalised world. What implications do these concepts have for the University and our local communities?
Ipswich and Greater Springfield Community Forum
Monday 4 June 2007 from 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Leichhardt Community Centre, 1 Denman Street, West Ipswich
Multiculturalism and its benefits for the Ipswich and Greater Springfield community was explored during an interactive discussion forum.
Presented by USQ Professor of Asian and International Studies Don McMillen and Assoc Professor Retha Wiesner of the School of Management and Marketing Business Faculty, the forum looked at concepts of citizenship and productive diversity in an increasingly localised and globalised world.
For both forums presenters drew extensively from their wide ranging experiences of East Asian and South African cultures.
For more information please contact William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre, telephone +61 7 4631 1678.