Students and staff from CQUniversity Bundaberg’s Interfaith and Cultural Diversity Society recently held a traditional cooking event to highlight their cause and start a conversation about diversity within our community.
The local campus’s Interfaith and Cultural Diversity Society was established last year and now has more than 30 staff and student members who meet on a regular basis.
Dr Michael Malouf, who helped establish the group, said the main goal was to connect all local university staff and students by promoting respect, harmony and understanding of different cultures and faiths.
“Our group is made up of staff and students from many different backgrounds and faiths,” he said.
“We work together to promote diversity both on our local CQUni campus and within our local community.
“The traditional underground cooking event described as a Noonyan by Aboriginal people, an Umu by Pacific Islanders, or a Hangi by the Maori, was one of our first major activities and allowed the entire group to learn about traditional cultural cooking methods.”
Cooking brings people together
Student member and society president, Benaiah Kambanei, said the event was a great way for members to learn about traditional cooking methods and the importance of food in bringing different cultures together.
“I learned a lot from my peers about the traditional cooking methods used in their culture,” Mr Kambanei said.
“We started the cooking process early at 6am and then spent the entire day together before sharing the feast with other students and staff on campus.
“We hope to be able to deliver more events like this, to bring everyone together and build a sense of connection and community.”
For more information about collaborating with or joining the Interfaith and Cultural Diversity Society on the CQUniversity Bundaberg Campus please contact icds.cqu@gmail.com.
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