University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Celebrates Africa with Week of Events

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2007) — Cal State Northridge officials invite the public to explore the culture of Africa in the celebration of "Africa Week" beginning today, Oct. 22, through Oct. 26.

The weeklong festivity entails a series of activities encompassing African culture, including African drumming, dancing, fashion, movies and panel discussions on issues facing the continent of Africa.

"We hope that by engaging students in the various activities, they would broaden their understanding of Africa and its diaspora and consequently become proactive in making this a better world for all," said Tom Spencer-Walters, chair of CSUN’s Pan-African Studies Department.

The week’s highlights include "Building Bridges for Better Health in the Global Village: Holy Innocents Children’s Malaria Hospital Uganda Project," a panel discussion describing the efforts to build a hospital for fighting malaria, one of the leading killers in Africa. The discussion will take place in the Grand Salon Thursday, Oct. 25, at 12:30 p.m.

New to this year’s celebration is a model refugee camp set up in the center of campus in front the Oviatt Library, providing students with the opportunity to learn about Africa’s conflicts and the suffering of people in Sudan and Darfur.

"The purpose of Africa Week is to heighten awareness about the great diversity that characterize the continent, to showcase her natural beauty and her contributions to knowledge and to educate the community, particularly about the continent’s tragic conflicts," said Spencer-Walters.

For more information, please contact Spencer-Walters at 818-677-2130 or by e-mail at tom.spencer.walters@csun.edu.