International Week (I-Week), the University of Alberta’s premier annual opportunity to learn, connect and engage with global challenges and topics, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Doug Weir, Executive Director of International Education and Enrolment (IEE), shares some insights into the history and significance of International Week.
What do you and your team do at the U of A?
The IEE team supports the U of A community to develop and deliver impactful international experiences.
We do this through partnerships that increase international student enrolment, services and programs to enhance international student experiences; learning-abroad programs that include internships, semester exchanges and short-term programs; and programs such as International Week that provide opportunities to expand our understanding of global issues without leaving campus.
Who should attend International Week?
For 40 years, I-Week has provided an opportunity for our campus and wider community not only to attend and learn about global issues but also to present and share the work they are doing to bring about change. Anyone who is curious should attend.
How do you think International Week helps build global citizenship on our campuses, and why is that important?
The U of A has a long history of advancing global citizenship — it’s foundational in how we have articulated our goals under SHAPE. Global citizenship starts with understanding, with expanding perspectives about the complexity of global issues and then seeking out ways to work with others to take action to make a change. I-Week has always been focused on highlighting where positive change is happening and the people who are inspiring or implementing it.
A few years ago, the Environmental Students’ Society collaborated on a session on addressing eco-grief. It was an amazing panel of people who are thinkers and doers, but what I was most impressed by was the student host who facilitated an amazing exchange — drawing in the research and experience of the presenters but also highlighting the actions that panellists or audience members were taking to make a difference.
This really is what we hope for I-Week — that attending leads to learning that leads to action. Even small ways people choose to engage can make a difference.
Can you share a couple of memorable moments from prior years?
So many great moments. Forty years of amazing speakers, community leaders from around the world sharing their struggles and success, leading experts on global issues and even comedians who helped us laugh with ourselves.
The culmination of I-Week was often a dance, concert or performing arts celebration. One year, we had a Maori performing arts group from the University of Otago travel to Edmonton as part of I-Week. The concert was filled from start to finish with amazing energy also from local performers, Indigenous dancers and drummers, Chinese, African, Irish … I remember people leaving the event so energized and happy.
Why this came to mind is that this year we launched an Indigenous student exchange program with the University of Otago — so that speaks to me of the relationships that are created by the U of A and through events like I-Week.
The second reason is that we are bringing back a fun event to wrap up this year’s I-Week. I hope folks will join us for the Afro-Latin Dance and Music Night, where duelling bands will showcase their rhythms and bring us together for a fun way to celebrate the end of I-Week.
What is your favourite thing about International Week?
When I think about I-Week, I think about the people.
The campus community — professors who have long been supporters, either by presenting or inviting thought-provoking colleagues to share their expertise. The many staff and student staff who have worked so hard to bring I-Week to life each year: building the program, getting the word out and all the logistics behind it.
But most importantly, I think about the people that attend — the university community — staff, students and faculty members, be they curious or deeply engaged. I-Week also has a great following in the wider community and it’s wonderful to meet these community members each year — folks who come out despite what blizzard they might need to navigate to reconnect and to be inspired.
I enjoy seeing people connect. Connect with ideas, connect with each other and connect with opportunities to get engaged.
Why is engaging with global challenges and topics more important than ever in today's landscape?
I am not sure it is more important — it's always been important and it always will be important to engage in global challenges.
Engaging is the only way to make a difference and to be hopeful that we are working towards a better world.
Learn more about International Week February 2 - 7, 2026.