A Douglas College leadership program that sends students to work for non-profit organizations in Zambia has won a provincial award of achievement in international education.
The Zambia Global Leadership Program received the British Columbia Council for International Education's Outstanding Program in International Education award.
The program recognizes the professionalism, dedication and efforts of an exemplary group of experts and practitioners in international education in B.C.
"This is a huge honour for the Zambia team," said Kyle Baillie, director of the Centre for Campus Life and Athletics. "It verifies what we've been saying about this program all along: it is innovative, student-focused and an engagement experience paralleled by few others in British Columbia."
For the past three years, the Zambia Global Leadership Program has sent Douglas College students to Zambia on three-month volunteer work placements at non-profits in the fields of health, education, business, sport, youth leadership, government and other social services.
Students are placed with agencies whose activities tie in with their area of study.
"This level of engagement and interest fosters meaningful cultural exchanges, and helps the students become global citizens," said Anna Schachner, Campus Life Coordinator, who went to Zambia this year and last. "They become more involved in both local and international issues. Some of them have even been offered full-time jobs back in Africa."
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
FREE PROGRAMS ON AT PIER PARK THIS SUMMER
The City of New Westminster is teaming up with a variety of local businesses to offer a variety of free programs at Westminster Pier Park this summer.
The free drop-in programs include yoga, music and movement, karate, music and drama, kickboxing and walks along the pier.
If you want to try out your dance moves, drop-in sessions of zumba, belly dancing, line dancing and swing are among the free dance drop-in sessions.
Kids will enjoy summer programming such as music and drama and a youth drop-in.
Dean Gibson, the city's director of parks, culture and recreation, said the city has partnered with various organizations as part of its first push to program activities at the park that opened on the water-front last summer.
"I am looking forward to seeing that park take the next step forward," he said of the programs. "Residents will benefit, businesses will benefit."
The full schedule is available at www.new westpcr.ca/parks/west minster_pier_park or by calling 604-777-5100.
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