News Releases

ST. ANDREWS –New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) welcomes Tima Kurdi, an internationally recognized spokesperson on the global refugee crisis, as the guest speaker for the latest Speaker Series event hosted by the College’s Robertson Institute for Community Leadership.

Kurdi’s two-year-old nephew Alan was photographed lifeless on a Turkish beach in 2015, awakening the world to the Syrian refugee crisis. She will share her story at the St Andrews Campus of NBCC on Tuesday, October 29 at 11 a.m., live-streamed across NBCC.

“The Robertson Institute for Community Leadership brings inspiring speakers to New Brunswick, challenging and motivating us as we transform lives and communities,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC. “Tima’s story prompts us to explore ways in which we could all be better global citizens in our own backyard, taking action on the challenges faced by people both here at home and around the world.”

When Alan’s photograph went viral, Kurdi, living in Vancouver, was thrust into an international spotlight she never sought. Today, she uses the worldwide attention brought by this tragedy to encourage ordinary people to raise their voices with the hope of creating a better future, one where a young life is not so needlessly lost.

“These events serve to start important conversations around what it means to lead in your community and beyond,” said Butler.

The Speaker Series is made possible by the sponsorship of NBCC’s valued community partner, the TD Bank Group. TD is committed to community giving in areas that support change, nurture progress and contribute to making the world a better, more inclusive place through The Ready Commitment.

“TD is pleased to once again support NBCC through The Ready Commitment in bringing diverse speakers to New Brunswick,” said Jennifer Auld, Vice President, TD Canada Trust – Atlantic Region. “The Speaker Series inspires dialogue and engagement, and TD is honoured to play a role in community leadership initiatives helping our young people be ready for the future.”

Launched in 2014, NBCC’s award-winning Robertson Institute for Community Leadership is mobilizing students, staff, alumni and Board members college-wide to transform lives and communities. Community groups and not-for-profit organizations across NBCC’s Campus communities have benefited from more than 51,000 hours of service by NBCC students, staff, alumni and Board members in more than 974 projects.

With flexible educational programming that is responsive to the social and economic needs of the Province, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is a provincially-recognized public post-secondary institution reputed for producing skilled, knowledgeable graduates who are contributing to the Province’s prosperity. In addition to one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs, NBCC provides specialized and customized training to meet the needs of specific sectors and communities, and delivers apprenticeship training, reaching more than 9,200 learners annually. Find out more by visiting www.nbcc.ca

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Media inquiries: 
Tanya Greer
Communications Coordinator, NBCC

Phone: 506.453.8194                            
Email: Tanya.greer@nbcc.ca