Psych students raise funds for Chile
The Vancouver Genocide and Human Rights group, created by Kwantlen psychology students, recently held a fundraiser to raise awareness and money to help out with the relief effort in Chile. The Runner sat down with Dr. Rajiv Jhangiani, Kwantlen Psychology professor and one of the founding faculty to discuss the group, its recent projects, and the importance of action.
By Jared Vaillancourt [Creative Writing Bureau Chief]
Q. How did the Vancouver Genocide and Human Rights group come together?
A. Following the Fall 2009 offering of PSYC 4650 (Psychology of Genocide), a number of the students felt like they wanted to do more than simply discuss theory. They wanted to make a real difference for those whose lives were being affected by genocide, through raising awareness as well as by fundraising. They connected with like-minded students, faculty, and staff at universities across the Lower Mainland and the group was thus born.
Q. How did your time at Kwantlen help with creating this group?
A. Developing and teaching the course (PSYC 4650) for two years has been important in terms of raising awareness among the Kwantlen community. But this is a continuation of an ongoing interest in the topic – my training on this topic has involved work at UBC and at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.
Q. Why are you putting on this fundraiser?
A. Because help is needed, quite simply. A former Kwantlen instructor has been in touch with us (she lives in Chile) and has helped inform us about where help is needed the most.
Q. Was the event a success?
A. It certainly was a success – we raised over $400 despite a relatively low turnout through ticket and raffle sales. On another level, students who get involved with this issue tend to change in terms of their own awareness of and concern for social justice issues, so that is another success.
Q. Will all the money go to the charity for Chile? Which charity is chosen?
A.Yes, 100% of it. It will be given to the Canadian Red Cross, which is working there.
Q. What other initiatives is the Vancouver G&HR group working on?
A. Over the past few months we held a couple of bake sales that raised over $1400 for refugees from the ongoing genocide in Darfur – that money was donated to the UN refugee program and will provide more than 15 truckloads worth of food, water, and emergency supplies.
Q. What is one thing you think Kwantlen students should know about the Vancouver G&HR group?
A. Think global and act local. Students should not let anyone convince them into thinking that just because the problem is enormous they cannot make a difference.
