Celebrating the work of Nelson Mandela

The event coincided with two United Nations days, the "Day of Happiness" and "Anti-racial Discrimination Day.”

Three presentations were given by the Provost Prof. Dr. Andrew Goodspeed, Quality Advisor, Heather Henshaw and Prof. Dr. Agim Poshka of the Centre for Cultural Interaction and Dialogue. They talked about the life and achievements of Mandela in promoting freedom and the fight against racial discrimination as well as the themes of protest, reconciliation, education and local lessons which could be learned.

Students from the Communication Department, Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communication premiered their video showing interviews with staff and students on what freedom meant to them. There was an exhibition of student work on Mandela, a poster campaign round campus with Mandela quotes and a ‘graffiti’ board where anyone could write their thoughts on ‘What freedom means’. This was a chance to take away some positive messages from Nelson Mandela:

“Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.”

“Let freedom reign, the sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.”