By rdnewsNOW staff

language effects on world views

Students gathering for UNESCO conference at Olds High

Apr 30, 2019 | 2:34 PM

École Olds High, a longtime member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, is hosting an inspiring two-day conference next week for several Chinook’s Edge schools and UNESCO schools from across Alberta.

The conference takes place on May 6 & 7 and involves students from Grades 5-12.

The theme is ‘Learning from the Language of the Land and the Lives of Others.’

Bev Toews, the school’s UNESCO Network Coordinator, worked with a group of ambitious student planners to create an inspirational learning experience. From an informal open mic coffee house to sessions that focus on Global Citizenship and Human Rights, the schedule provides an array of learning and networking experiences.

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“A big focus is how language influences a person’s world view,” said Gayleen Roelfsema, Vice Principal. “One of the activities compares words in Blackfoot, Cree and English to illustrate the impact of language on how we form our opinions and philosophies. This is important and fascinating work, and Bev has worked tirelessly to bring this huge opportunity to students.”

Fifteen guests will be part of Diversity Day on the second day, which provides an opportunity to learn from the lives of others. One of the sessions involves four guests from Red Deer’s Central Alberta Refugee Effort who will share their stories in smaller, conversational groups. The theme of language continues at a short field trip to an Indigenous site, where participants will learn from The Language of the Land through an exploration of teepee rings and a buffalo jump.

“The site is actually on private land and we are so fortunate that the landowners are opening this to us. They are so protective of this site, but they also know it is a unique learning opportunity,” said Gayleen. “So many people are helping to make this an exciting event for students. We have community organizations providing sessions on sustainable development and individuals sharing Inuit drumming – and everything in between. The conference is purposefully small at about 70 delegates, so that each of them can have a more intensive experience.”

As with all activities at Olds High, the conference is a Fair Trade event. This ensures that producers of the products from the global south – such as coffee, chocolate, bananas, sugar and spices – earn a living wage and realize gender equality. In this way, these communities decide on their own economic development, the environment is respected, and children are able to go to school. Education, in the end, is at the heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development.

(Written and submitted by Sandy Bexon – Chinook’s Edge School Division)