Africa Awareness Initiative (AAI)
Africa Awareness Initiative (AAI) is a student driven initiative at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Since its inception in October 2002, a group of dedicated students from various disciplines with the support of the various organizations, faculty members and staff, have planned and implemented an annual week of lectures, workshops and cultural events pertaining to Africa. The main goal of AAI is the establishment of an African Studies Program with the Faculty of Arts and to create a forum for dialogue and participation on issues relating to African communities. AAI has had significant growth over the past three years. Noticing the lack of African studies in the University, AAI’s objective has been to help and advocate for an African Studies program. AAI strives to contribute to an academic enrichment program within the university community and to engage in on-going development programs with academic, research institutions and the global community. It also helps strengthen the skills of student leaders and build connections with other partners across continents. This conference will address demonstrated ways in which students can move beyond talk about race and ethnicity to actions that affect change on campus and external communities. The changes we envision are to be informed by the voices and intellectual traditions of Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora.
UBC Black Student Union
The mission of the UBC Black Student Union is to create a community centered on Black UBC Students that is inclusive of age, sexuality, ability, colour, gender, and religion.
The UBC Black Student Union aims to highlight and celebrate the multifaceted nature of Black cultures through events open to all UBC students.