Uganda's the Hotspot

It's refreshing to not talk about hair, the latest fashion trend or hollywood movies. These topics ironically dominate university life... even though they're quite menial and unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Meeting two university students with an international outlook was a welcomed change. Kaitlin Sherven and Jana Knezacek both have volunteered overseas. These trips have shifted their perspectives and made them more concerned for the people and major issues around the world.

The best part is that they've brought this international passion back to Regina.

Sherven is heavily involved with the Gulu Walk, which focuses on raising awareness and funds for kidnapped children in Uganda. During the 23-year civil war, many children became night commuters; trekking along the Gulu trail to avoid capture Over 20,000 children have been taken and forced to be soldiers. Sherven's hard work paid off as over 70 people participated in Regina's walk. Even a few city councillors and MLA Trent Wetherspoon made an appearance.

Knezacek is also taking a stand. She worked in Rwanda this past summer where she documented genocide accounts of survivors. She also sheltered street children who had no place to sleep.

Back in Regina, she brought the screening of Invisible Children to campus; a film that focuses on child soldiers in Uganda. Over 100 students came to see the short documentary and she has enough support to start a campus group.

Unfortunately, these ladies are few and far between. Taking a camera around campus, it was soon evident that most students don't know or necessarily care about international issues. Some didn't even undertand what international activism meant.

When I posed the question: "Do you care about international issues?" I could tell by their faces what they really thought. Most felt obligated to say yes... yet they couldn't relay to me any specific issue or circumstances where they had been involved.

Some said they cared but found it difficult to get involved. Indeed, only 7 of the 70 campus groups are directed towards international issues, still its a start for students who may just be looking for like-minded people.

Some blame it on the busy schedule of university, but it hardly seems the case, seeing as some students like Sherven and Knezacek are making a difference. But then again, they had the opportunity to travel overseas and see first hand what needed to be done.

It's encouraging to me that students around Canada have more and more opportunities to travel overseas. Student exchanges and co-op programs may be the best way to see other parts of the world.

It may be difficult to produce international protagonists if students barely have time to read a newspaper. We may have to rely on these global opportunities to spur awareness and change. Maybe then, the next generation of leaders will be better prepared to tackle tough, global issues.