The Real Hunger: exploring global food shortages

On Tuesday 24th September, the Multi-Faith Centre will be hosting “The Real Hunger”: an event that explores the disparity of food distribution worldwide. Marketing Co-Ordinator for the event, Mala Mistry, tells us more. 

If your stomach is grumbling, think about the 180 million people worldwide that are suffering from hunger.

You are invited to attend ‘The Real Hunger’ event which creates awareness and knowledge about world hunger and long-term food security. It will feature inspiring speakers, informational documentary and group discussions.

The Real Hunger event will be held September 24 at the Multi-Faith Centre, Griffith University Nathan Campus from 6.30pm to 9pm.

Expect an interactive event, with inspiring speakers, documentary and group discussion.

To illustrate inequality of food distribution worldwide, participants will receive a meal at random which may simply be rice and beans or it may even be a two course meal for the lucky few. It’s luck which determines where you will sit and what meal you’ll receive!

The public are welcome to attend, with the opportunity to learn and experience world hunger.

Tickets are $8 for early bird registration or $10 on the night.  All funds will be donated to the Griffith University Enactus Microfinance Projects in Vietnam, which helps local Vietnamese entrepreneurs and farmers improve business and vegetable crops.

To register, follow this link http://tiny.cc/therealhunger. But you better be quick….places are limited! Please RSVP by September 19th.

So come along and bring your friends for a unique and memorable night!

Students get inspired with the Council of International Students Australia Leadership Program!

Photo: Annie Xu

On the third and fourth of August, we, as a group of Griffith MATES along with other Student Linx members, attended a Student Leadership Training Program organized by the Council of International Students Australia (CISA), Australia’s peak body of international students studying in Australia.

By Kirstin Cuthbert, Sandra Boiteux and Yi shin Chua

Our presenters, Kerryn and Dominik are both students and even with their study load, they still found the time to be on the committee and make a huge difference in Australia. The fact that they were of similar age to us and had already achieved so much for international students made us feel very inspired and keen to listen to what they had to say! Throughout the training, we learnt many key lessons about the services available to students, laws regarding those services and how to act as advocates for students on a broad range of topics.

Griffith MATE Brigid Goes Global!

Over the past few months,  I have been very privileged to take part in a number of unique and incredibly valuable experiences. In May, my Global Voices research fellowship saw me and five other Australian delegates travel to Paris to attend the 2013 OECD Forum. More recently, in the mid-year break, I took part on a volunteer trip to Hanoi, Vietnam.

By Brigid Buckley, studying a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Griffith University

Lord Mayor’s Friendship Ceremony Comes to Griffith

By Marlene Kastner, studying a Bachelor of International Business, Griffith University

For the first time ever, the Lord Mayor’s popular Friendship Ceremony came to Griffith University’s Nathan campus and proved to be an absolute success!

With a warm welcome for international students living in Brisbane, I felt a particular emphasis on our ‘friendship’ with the local student community.

The stage was set in the Campus Heart surrounded by information stalls pulsating with students searching for their bonafide Friendship certificates signed by the Lord Mayor himself! Featured stalls including Griffith’s Careers Service and Volunteering Queensland among others, which really highlighted the opportunities available to international students when studying in Brisbane.

Griffith Nathan and Gold Coast Textbook Fairs

Looking to sell old textbooks from previous classes? Or wanting to save money on textbooks for next semester?

It’s that time of year again!

The Student Representative Council (SRC) and Griffith Business Students Association (GBSA) will be holding second-hand textbooks fairs on Nathan and Gold Coast campuses at the start of semester 2. Head along next semester and save up to 50% off recommended retail price!

Anna’s time at Griffith

As Griffith MATE Anna Ejdestig prepares to leave Australia and return to her home in Sweden, she shares some thoughts of her time at Griffith.

By Anna Ejdestig, from Sweden – studying a Bachelor of Aviation, Nathan Campus.

My three and a half years in Australia have been the worst and the best experience of my life. With both challenges in studies as well as in life. Where friends have become family and supported in the down times, cheered me on, and celebrated every victory.

Anna Ejdestig (right) at the Student Linx Global Networking Function.

Ever since my first semester at Griffith I have been a part of the Social Sport soccer team, and continued to play and been involved since, leading to 2 2nd places and one 3rd in the competition. I have friends that I made that very first semester I played, still keeping in touch today even though a few have moved away. My final semester I also had the opportunity to try something new, and something I would say is very ‘Australian’, as I had never heard about it before I came to Australia, netball. My amazing Student Linx team came third even though none of us had ever played the sport before, only because we were constant in attending every week. After a few lost games and the rest forfeited due to teams without enough players, we ended up in the finals. Getting the team spirit up and developing the skills of the game, even just to score a few points, was enough if we did our best.

The last few semesters I’ve also been involved with the Griffith MATES. I really enjoyed being a part of a new students’ first steps into a new world of Griffith and university life – helping people that face the same challenges and issues I had to face as a new student.