AUK hosts 5th Annual Social Awareness Week

The Office of Student Life at the American University of Kuwait organized its 5th Annual Social Awareness Week from October 31st to November 4th, 2010. Each day concentrated on a specific social awareness topic including: Self Image Day, Environmental Day, Healthy Living Day, Anti-Violence Day, and Community Service Day.

Social Awareness Week is one of AUK's annual diversity programs. The week actively encourages and fosters respect for diversity and creates a sense of community. Several AUK clubs and organizations participated throughout the week as well as government and non-governmental organizations from Kuwait. The week's programs strive to promote social responsibility and a sense of community among the AUK population as well as raise awareness among students about issues surrounding social interactions, group dynamics, and civil rights. The active participation of students through the week's diverse programs and activities encourage life-long learning habits, and the development of a unique identity.

During Social Awareness Week's first day, an Identity Development Exhibition titled "Reflection Corner" was organized in association with the Graphic Design Club at AUK to promote self-awareness. Gulf Studies Center Director Professor Mohammad Akbar presented on the 'Development of Social Consciousness'. Mr. Khaled Al Roudhan, a founder of ZAWAYA, shared with AUK students the objectives of ZAWAYA and its campaigns: Oqsim & Moujat Attaghyeer (Wave of Change). These campaigns aim at raising awareness on human and civil values, more specifically, the values of tolerance and pluralism, and respect for others. Programs for the day included an Arabic/English poetry competition between students about 'Self Identity' in association with the Arabic Literature Club at AUK which involved the Division of Humanities and Arts professors; Raymond Farrin, Kathy Nixon, and Al- Khitam Khouli.

On the following day, Environmental Day, the AUK Campus Recycling Project was launched by AUK's Al Akhdar Environmental Club, it was followed by the participation of 38 students in designing environmentally friendly shopping bags. This was judged by Graphic Design Professors Maryam Hosseinnia, and William Andersen. In the evening AUK hosted The Green Caravan Film Festival organized by Equilibrium.

The third day, Healthy Living Day, included the Office of Student Life activity "Arrive Alive" to promote safe driving. The Student Success Center organized its Annual Health Fair on this day as well, which included twenty plus health service providers and more than 300 student participants. Healthy Living Day also saw The Voice of AUK (AUK's official student newspaper) host its 4th Annual Blood Drive for three consecutive days from November 2-4. The Office of Student Life and the Student Success Center co-sponsored the event with giveaways and refreshments. A total of 116 members of the AUK community turned out to donate their blood.

The Anti-Violence Day on Wednesday, in addition to the Anti-Violence Awareness Campaign hosted the week's main event "The Anti-Violence Forum" in association with the Model United Nations Club at AUK. Mr. Jason Sullivan, AUK Mental Health Counselor with the Student Success Center, presented an introduction about violence. Subsequent discussion topics on violence were presented, that included: intimate partner violence (by Dr. Juliet Dinkha), family and violent behavior in children and adolescents (by Dr. James Rose), structural violence (by Dr. Pellegrino Luciano), and common practice towards reducing violence in society (by AUK student Monica Matta).

The final day of Social Awareness Week was Community Service Day. During this day the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Advocates for Western-Arab Relations Center (AWARE), Operation Hope "Trash to Treasure" Project, and Zawaya Campaign, along with Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LOYAC) and Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals (KACCH) participated in the Information Resources Fair which was held in association with the Community Service Club at AUK. The fair aimed to highlight community service organizations and their activities to provide an opportunity for AUK students to participate in volunteer activities. In addition, the Office of Student Life hosted its first AUK chat series session allowing for an open discussion with community service individuals which included: Ms. Riham Al-Rashid, UNDP Program Assistant; Ms. Cheryl Spessert, Coordinator of Trash to Treasure/Operation HOPE-Kuwait; Mary Dempsey-Booz, Coordinator of KACCH; and Mrs. Fareah Ahmad Al-Saqqaf, Founder, Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director of LOYAC.

Mr. Khaled Al Roudhan, a founder of ZAWAYA, sharing with AUK students the objectives of ZAWAYA and its campaigns: Oqsim & Moujat Attaghyeer

1st place Winners of the Arabic/English poetry competition

Designing environmentally friendly shopping bags, judged by Graphic Design Professors: Maryam Hosseinnia, and William Andersen

Environmental Day the AUK Campus Recycling Project launched by Al Akhdar Environmental Club

The Voice of AUK (AUK's official student newspaper) started its 4th Annual Blood Drive for three consecutive days

Mr. Jason Sullivan - SSC mental health counselor during his introduction about Violence

Amy Kushner ,Career Counselor, Student Success Center in Trash to Treasure/ Operation HOPE-Kuwait during, and a volunteer student from Community Service Club during Community Service Day