With students and staff from all around the world, the One World Week festival at Sussex was never going to be quiet. From Holi’s colourful explosions, to serious debates about global issues, there were over 70 events and activities to take in, and everyone in the Sussex community had the opportunity to get involved.
Now in its second year and bigger than ever, One World Week is a way to come together and celebrate the cultural diversity at the University of Sussex. As a truly international university, with students coming from almost every country in the world, One World Week events aim to expose students to a globalised world and diversity of cultures.
The multitude of nationalities of our students and staff provides an excellent opportunity for us to put on events that engage, educate and entertain. From raising global awareness through lectures on world issues, to the celebration of cultural festivals. The festival is planned and run as a collaborative partnership between the students’ union and the university’s international student support team, with contributions from student societies and university departments.
Here are some of our highlights of the week, which took place in March:
- Brighton MP Caroline Lucas led a lively debate discussing whether membership of the EU, and its trade policies, are conducive to protecting social, environmental and economic rights in an increasingly globalised world.
- A panel of speakers, including the Nigerian High Commissioner, discussed Boko Haram and the ongoing terrorism in Nigeria, and what the Nigerian government is doing to protect its people.
- The Holi celebrations saw hundreds of Sussex students meet in Library Square to enjoy the Hindu spring festival with music, food and the chance to throw brightly coloured paint.
- Students thinking of working abroad came to the Broadening Your Horizons work fair to meet organisations offering overseas career opportunities. There was also an event for students to find out more about studying abroad during their degree.
- Among a huge choice of sporty activities, the popular Bollywood dance class was a chance to exercise and have fun while learning more about classic Bollywood choreography. There were also taster sessions of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to help stressed students relax.
The programme for One World Week was coordinated by the students’ union and the university’s international student support team, with the help of students and staff from across the university. Sara Dyer, head of international student support, said: “It was fantastic to have had such an exciting and diverse programme of events. We were particularly pleased to see many student societies getting involved.”
