6: Terrate Review — Wednesday, March8,. 1989

‘Northwest youth th ambassador

recalls visit to Soviet Union -

. “When we were leavitig, Lhad to say goodbye to hundreds of- -people. And looking out of the bus, it was such a sad realization

that we were probably saying .

goodbye . forever.” This is one of the most vivid memories for . Kitimat’s “youth ambassador”, and it occurred as she was leav- ing the International Pioneer Camp, Artek, held in the Soviet Union last summer.

_-Lawrence was one of 19 Kiti- mat youths between the ages of 12 and 16 who entered an essay contest last year, and one of five to reach the ‘semi-finals’. Once chosen, she said she was both excited and nervous — she was going to visit the Soviet Union, in her words, “An un- discovered land.”

She came to Terrace as a guest of the Northwest Development Education Association recently to describe that feeling and how she matured as she experienced international friendliness in a camp with over 4,500 youths ‘ from around the world.

When she embarked on her journey, she explains, she didn’t have any preconceived expecta- tions. But then a two-day stop-

‘youths ‘melting pot’’. And the setting

over in Helsinki, Finland, gave

her a foretaste of what she was about to experience. “It was beautiful,’® she says. “I didn’t

‘want to leave.”’

_ And this was how she found

Moscow as . well, Not what.

anyone would expect — no skyscrapers and bright neon lights — but an ancient and

beautiful city where people, at .

first guarded, soon became friendly and open. ‘Stores were sort of behind the scenes. If you wanted something you had to look for it,”’ says Lawrence, “It

wasn’t at all what I expected it to -

be.”’ After six days in Moscow, Lawrence was bused with other

youths to the southern Soviet

Union, where they joined 4,500 in. an international

was ideal, she says: 11 separate camps, each representing mem- bers of several different cul- tures, facing four and a half kilometers of sandy beach where they could mix as one.

And as a result of this mix, Lawrence looks at the world a little differently than before. Canada is not the best, or the

‘International Women’ S Day celebrated today

Contributed by -~ Mary Bowerlng |

- “Women are Powerful’’, the Women’s Centre posters and stationery proudly announce. Does this statement imply power “over”? The listener or reader might instantly react defensive- ly. But we don’t mean power over — we mean equally impor- tant, we mean women are powerful too.

Rarely is this message con- veyed. Both females and males absorb the societal images of men being the leaders, the ac- tive, visable achievers and the source of major economic security. These messages are strengthened by the fact that the majority of politicians are male, the use. of exclusive language in- -ferring non-existence of the ‘emale half of the population, competitive team sporting events which encourage male participa- tion, advertisements, and our educational system where stereo- types encourage males to excel in the maths and sciences, These are a few examples.

These stereotypes are impos-

sible to erase overnight. They

are changing, but so slowly. Around the world. women are seeking equality in all forms. It ‘is important that we notice each

small accomplishment along the

- way, both personally and global- ly, It is important to note the .

times when women in general and ourselves in particular, are being portrayed with respect.

In Iceland, the Women’s Alliance is an inspiring example as they strive to create a more just and equal society, but not through the traditiona! male de- signed system. Each achieve- ment has required courage, clarity of vision, and determina- tion.

In. Yugoslavia since World War II, women has been celebrated on March 8th. This is a public holi- day for ladies only, but all com- panies close at 3:00 so the women can be taken for a picnic or a restaurant meal. They per- form no domestic work on that day. Traditionally there have been parades, flowers, and par- ticipation by young girls as well. The celebrations do not value women as sex objects, but rather seriously recognize women 45 equal and respected contributors to society, :

I look forward to Interna-

tional Women’s Day in Terrace, when I will recognize and celebrate women’s strength and yes — power!! -

the emancipation of.

worst, just a part of something. larger. Set politics aside and everybody’s just the same: ‘‘The

others looked at the guys. the

same, thought the same, wanted to do the same things, had the same aspirations, hopes, dreams...

ference at all.’

In fact, other: than political differences, she sees no reason

at all why, world: peace can’t be achieved. ‘‘I stayed in a room with 11 Soviets. One spoke a little English: but the rest used actions and we became the best of friends. Those are people I’ll

‘never forget,”’ she says. ‘And if

I can go over there anid become

‘best friends — then why can’t

the: Soviets and the western

world? I can’t see any dif-

ferences — I can’t see what can get in the way if we both work at it. ” ;

~ Lawrence. realizes . that her

view of the world may seem a. little naive to others.. ‘‘All this

may only be my opinion,’* she explains, ‘‘and I find that thought a little scarey.”” But it may be that getting to know more about others could be the key to world peace. —

In fact Lawrence’s philosophy may even describe how it can be done.

“l’m willing to judge everybody on an equal basis,’”

she says, ‘‘and once I get to know a person then I'll start to- Make my, judgement, Every country has its bad. people and

its good: people. Canada has its.

good, its bad and its saints. But I can’t see other countries as different.”

And it appears, if Lawrence i is representative of the 4,500 youths .who attended last sum- mer’s- camp, this feeling of good will may spread. country and feel patriotic,’’ she says, ‘‘But as soon as I graduate I want to travel. I want to ex- plore.’’

If you forget about’ | the politics — there’s no dif-

ia.

‘F love my.

ae Oe oN

Joan Lawrence (left) shows obvious pride in her daughter Regan’s achievements as Kitimat's youth ambassador to’ the 1988 International Pioneer Camp In Russia last sum- mer. Regan was in Terrace recently to describe her ex- perience and says that because of it she is now more open and. confident and will probably become a world traveller.

_ Provincial short film competition launched |

“ “Northwest artists who have a

wtalent for. making. movies are

being given the opportunity to get recognition for their efforts. B.C. Film, a Vancouver-based organization supported by. B.C. Lottery funds. to encourage British Columbians who have a flair for the cinema, recently an-

nounced their Theatrical Short —

Com, etition. ‘The competition is for short quality films less than nine min-

utes in length and is. ‘open to anyone. The winning film mak- ers will receive a.$200-per-film- minute honorarium’ and have their productions blown up into 35 millimeter format. Both. 16 millimeter film and. VHS video is acceptable. |

Deadline for the competition is April 15. Further information

is available from Christine Mof- fat at 684-3323.

Fine Dining

in quiet surroundings!

5 p.m. — 10 p.m. 4620 Lakelse Avenue

638-8141.

& Polly’ Ss ; Cafe

sage Chinese & Western Cuisine

Mon. —Thurs. 10:50 a.m. — midnight Fri, & Sat, 10:30 an, — 1 &m. Sunday 12:00 a.m, — 10 p.m.

638-1848 or 638-8034

_GIM’S

a4 RESTAURANT “i” Chinese & Canadian Food

yt

Hes

PHan Say

Specializing in Chinese

; OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon - Wed 11:30 a.m. — 10:00 putt. \. Thursday £4:30 am, — 11:00 puma

Cuisine and Canadian Dishes

<S Fri . Sat 14:30 am. — 1:00 a.tit. ww

Sunday 12:00 ain. 10:00 p.m. 4643 Park Avenue m pm

"635-61 il

| ' 4806GreigAve, , tor Take-Out — Mevepod Terrace, B.C. Ph. 635-6184 |gupepeeeees|

oy This spat ‘could e yours

Copper - |

cat. @

Terrace Hotel 635-6630 - For your dining pleasure we have expanded our Copper Grill Restaurant hours.

7 a.m, to 9 p.m.

he) a GD Ae re a RR te a ee Bear ad Ba ana eh

Pn eatl soa