UW Gazette, September 24, 1997 Renison College has announced that it will hold its annual East Asian festival next week with the theme "The Year of Asia Pacific Evolving Connections". As well as an all-day business seminar (admission $75) the festival will include educational panels and cultural events from kite- making to calligraphy. "We want to acknowledge and celebrate the important relationship between Canada and East Asia," said Dr. Gail Cuthbert Brandt, principal of Renison and director of East Asian studies. "In particular, we will focus on culture, education, trade and technology as well as examine the similarities and differences in how our societies approach such issues." She said the festival's program was developed by representatives of Renison, UW and local East Asian community and student groups. "It is also our hope that the festival will bring about awareness of the college's and the university's programs in East Asian studies," Brandt said. The festival opens Wednesday, October 1, at Kitchener city hall, with a 7 p.m. event where the public can sample Chinese, Korean and Japanese cuisine at the Tastes of East Asia food fair, as well as enjoy Korean dance, Chinese folk music, origami and calligraphy demonstrations. Five-time Canadian heavyweight champion Julio Vasquez and his students will put on a show of authentic Korean Tae Kwon-Do. Next day, at Renison's chapel lounge, there will be panel discussions on educating youth for the 21st century and a technology showcase of work and study opportunities for students, teachers and educational administrators. Specifically, the panels will look at educational issues in a cross-cultural perspective, the current status and future prospects of East Asian studies in Ontario universities and building academic links with East Asia. At 7 p.m. a Korean film, "The Story of Two Women", will be screened at the Princess Cinema in Waterloo. On October 3 an all-day East Asian business seminar will be held, with panels on geo-political and economic issues, forging alliances with East Asia and new directions for Canada in the region. John Bell, Canada's special ambassador for Asia Pacific, will give the luncheon keynote address. Delegates to this seminar will be able get the latest information from experts on market trends in Asia; talk directly to Team Canada members about what they learned on their Asian trade tour; and establish key contacts with other business people interested in pursuing the Asian market. Advance registration for the business seminar is required; call 884-4404, ext. 657. Starting at 9 a.m. in Renison's chapel lounge, the panel on Geo-political and Economic Issues in East Asia will feature Jan d'Ailly, marketing manager, Glegg Water Conditioning Inc.; John Yuen, vice-president, sales, Trimark Investments; Lowrey Christie, vice-president, manufacturing, large corporate, risk management division, CIBC; and Diane Schwartz, chairperson, Manulife International Ltd. Speaking at the panel on Team Canada: Opportunities and New Directions will be Lionel Laveille, president, Raytheon Canada Ltd.; Prof. Alex Murray, School of Business, Wilfrid Laurier University; Jim Balsillie, chairman, Research in Motion; James Haller, J.P. Environmental Products Inc. Panelists on Forging Alliances with East Asian Partners will be Carol Dickson, vice-president, administration-international, Woodbridge Group; Nick Nicolaou, senior vice-president, Ontario region, Hongkong Bank of Canada; Julian Payne, Canada's executive director, Asian Development Bank; G. L. Paupst, executive vice- president and general manager, Mitchell Plastics Ltd. Winding up the festival on Saturday, October 4, there will be cultural demonstrations at the college's great hall, including kite making, origami, martial arts, shiatsu ther apy, Chinese calligraphy and a Japanese tea ceremony. On Saturday evening, the Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra will give a performance at UW's Theatre of the Arts, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8; children, seniors and students, $5; or $20 per family.