World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice: Internationally February 20
Consider the power of hope—the actions we take to nurture it within ourselves and the actions that help it to flourish in our communities.
Individually, hope helps sustain us, keeping us motivated, grounded, and able to keep going, even in challenging times. Hope grows when we understand how people’s wellbeing is shaped by systemic issues and when we respond with care, especially for those most impacted.
By listening to and uplifting voices from marginalized communities, we build empathy, resilience, and hope, creating space for reflection and meaningful action toward a more caring and just future.
This year’s World Day of Social Justice invites you to explore ways to cultivate hope for yourself and for your communities . Through reflection, conversation, and creative expression, you’ll have opportunities to connect with others and explore the actions—small or bold—that help build a future where everyone is cared for.
Events
Creative Stations: Actions for Hope
February 23 Drop in
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sperber Library, Cameron Library, Rutherford Atrium, and Students’ Union Building
Hope is an action that transforms our lives and communities. Visit one of our four creative stations to add your voice to our life-sized sculpture, UACT. By sharing what hope in action means to you, you could help inspire others.
The sculpture will be on display in Rutherford Atrium from Feb 28 - March 13
Hope in Action: Workshop Series
February 25
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SUB 4-02
There are limited spots for each event. Please register to save your spot.
Schedule of events:
10 - 11 a.m. Working For Change
Facilitated by the Sexual Assault Centre, participants will engage in an open discussion about sexual violence prevention and consent. Together, we will learn about important definitions, break down common myths and misconceptions, learn how to support survivors of sexual violence, and talk about ways we can work towards prevention in our everyday lives.
This workshop is hosted by Allison Chan (she/her), a second year student with honours in Biochemistry and Jaimie Lepp (she/her), a fourth year student in the Bachelors of Arts Psychology
12 - 1:30 p.m. Dear Future World: A Zine Making Workshop
Join The Landing for a creative zine-making session where you’ll explore your hopes, commitments, and actions for a more just and equitable world that you would like to share with others. All materials provided—no experience needed!
This is your safe(r) space. The Landing is a support service at the University of Alberta North Campus for 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff. The Landing works to promote gender equity and advocate for the safety and acceptance of 2SLGBTQ+ folks in campus life. Drop in programs and educational resources are available to all 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff members at the U of A.
2 - 3:30 p.m. Authoring Hope: Reclaiming the Narrative of Self-Care through Writing
Join St. Stephen’s College’s The Open Wing Clinic for a creative writing workshop exploring how individual hope can fuel collective change. Facilitated by Rachel Helm, the session includes guided prompts, quiet reflection, and individual writing. We’ll approach self-care as an act of self-preservation, using writing to explore personal narratives that nurture hope. No writing experience is needed, just a willingness to show up for yourself. This workshop is open to all, and sharing is welcome but optional.
Rachel (she/her) is a student counsellor and graduate student at St. Stephen’s College (affiliated with and located on the U of A campus). She is grounded in contemplative and narrative practices with a particular passion for meaning-making and how reflective practices, including writing, can hold space for care, resilience, and hope within oneself and in relationship with others.
4 - 5 p.m. Self Care: A Jack Talk Conversation with Isaiah Neil and Sandra Asongwe
Facilitated by Sandra Asongwe through jack.org, have a conversation about what self-care is, and apply strategies for supporting and strengthening mental health by developing a personalized self-care plan.
Sandra Asongwe (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary, where she earned her BA in Sociology with Distinction. She brings experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, and advocacy, having supported organizations such as the Calgary Drop-In Centre, YMCA, and VolunteerConnector.Sandra is passionate about equity-informed program delivery and building inclusive spaces for diverse communities.