NEWS

Photo note: To download a Fulbright photo, see end of release.

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will observe International Education Week Nov. 18-22 as part of a national effort to promote programs preparing Americans for a global environment and to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.

"How can education not be international?" asked Dr. James Peacock, director of the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) and Kenan professor of anthropology.

The center and other partners will hold events celebrating international cooperation and diversity. Peacock and organizers hope the events encourage participants to become more informed, responsible global citizens. They also aim to communicate the importance of developing skills and knowledge to effectively learn, work and communicate in a global marketplace. The national event is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education.

"The cooperative nature of these events will unite Carolina students, faculty, staff and members of our community representing different cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds," Peacock said. "We want to encourage interaction and opportunities for students to reconsider their knowledge of other people and places and promote tolerance and understanding of the diversity at the university and beyond."

Highlights will include an appearance launching the week’s events Nov. 18 by Harriet Fulbright, wife of the late Sen. J. William Fulbright, the namesake of a prestigious international educational program.

Since its inception in 1946, more than 250,000 people from the United States and abroad have studied or taught outside of their own country under the Fulbright Program. Alumni of the program include UNC Chancellor James Moeser, who spent a year in Berlin and Paris under a Fulbright Scholarship. In the past five years, nearly 80 UNC students, staff and faculty have been selected for the various Fulbright programs.

Fulbright will discuss the importance of international education and the Fulbright program during a private reception Nov. 18. The event is intended for past Fulbright awardees and current Fulbright program applicants who are encouraged to RSVP to Beth-Ann Kutchma at bkutchma@email.unc.edu. The event will be held beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Melba Remig Saltarelli Exhibit Room of Wilson Library. Dr. Robert Shelton, provost and executive vice chancellor, also will discuss current efforts to internationalize UNC.

Other events Nov. 18-22 will feature speakers discussing topics ranging from human rights, international travel, the Peace Corps and one of the best-known Japanese writers of the post-1945 period, Yukio Mishima.

A Rockefeller forum sponsored by UCIS will convene campus and local experts Nov. 19 to consider "On Common Ground: Negotiating ‘Otherness’ Across Campus" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Toy Lounge of Dey Hall. Panelists will include Paymon Rouhanifard, senior class president, Andrea Bazan-Manson, executive director of El Pueblo, Dr. Krista Perreira, assistant professor in the department of public policy, and Dr. Archie Ervin, assistant to the chancellor and director of the Office of Minority Affairs. Panel members will discuss challenges faced by underrepresented and culturally diverse students.

Several films will feature topics including Greek culture, a group of Sudanese boys coming to the United States and the Latino immigrant experience in North Carolina. An international resource fair and exhibits will be featured Nov. 19 in the Great Hall of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attractions will include information on student groups, campus departments and programs with an international focus.

Also scheduled Nov. 22 is a photography exhibit and reception at 3 p.m. in the second-floor lounge of the student union. Winners of the second annual International Education Week photography competition will be announced. Entry forms are available at www.ucis.unc.edu/events.

The week will conclude when Masala, an umbrella organization of campus cultural groups, holds a fashion show Nov. 23 in the Great Hall of the student union at 7 p.m. The group plans to showcase the talents of UNC’s finest cultural performers. Entertainment will include dances, skits, poetry, modeling and more. Tickets for the Masala Fashion show can be purchased in the Pit beginning Nov. 15.

For more information about International Education Week, contact Beth-Ann Kutchma at bkutchma@email.unc.edu or 843-6842 or for a complete schedule of activities visit the University Center for International Studies Web site at www.ucis.unc.edu/events.

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Note: A brief summary of the week’s events follows.

Harriet Fulbright, wife of the late Sen. J. William Fulbright, who sponsored the legislation creating the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, will speak along with Provost Robert Shelton. The event is intended for past Fulbright awardees and current Fulbright program applicants who are encouraged to RSVP to Beth-Ann Kutchma at bkutchma@email.unc.edu.

Monday, Nov. 18, Global Justice Discussion, "U.S. Report Card on Human Rights,"

The Campus Y group, Advocates for Human Rights, will hold a forum examining U.S. successes and failures with international and domestic human rights. Speakers will include Rania Masri, a human rights activist who is the Arab Women's Solidarity Association Representative to the United Nations and a national board member of Peace Action, and Coordinator of the Iraq Action Coalition, and UNC Professor Judith Blau, recently named a U.S. representative to Sociologists and Political Scientists Without Borders, a European non-government organization that focuses on international human rights issues and advocacy of human rights.

Tuesday, Nov. 19, International Volunteer Internship Presentation: "Tales of an International Travel Addict (and How to Support the Habit)"

Marlo Goldstein, director of Academic Programs for AmeriSpan Unlimited, will share her experiences studying and working in Latin American and Spain. She will explain how AmeriSpan's programs can provide similar opportunities to students and graduates. (www.amerispan.com)

Tuesday, Nov. 19, Peace Corps Informational Panel Discussion

Get a personal perspective of Peace Corps life as past Peace Corps members come together to discuss their international experiences.

A diverse group of students, university staff and community activists will join in a discussion on the unique challenges faced by underrepresented and culturally diverse students. Panelists include UNC Senior Class President Paymon Rouhanifard, Andrea Bazan-Manson, executive director of El Pueblo, and Dr. Archie Ervin, assistant to the chancellor and director of the Office of Minority Affairs. Moderated by Dr. Krista Perreira, assistant professor in the department of public policy. Sponsored by the Rockefeller Resident Fellowship Program at the University Center for International Studies

The University Center for International Studies and the Hellenic Student Association are sponsoring an educational presentation of "Captain Corelli's Mandolin." A discussion of Greek culture will follow.

Visit the international resource fair to find information on internationally focused student groups, university departments and university programs. Bring a T-shirt or buy one at the fair and have it digitally screened with the design of your choice. Door prizes and refreshments provided.

The University Center for International Studies and the UNC Rotaract Club are sponsoring this educational presentation of "The Lost Boys of Sudan," which follows a group of Sudanese boys who come to America seeking a new life. Discussion will follow.

Sponsored by the Curriculum in Asian Studies, Professor Gretchen Jones of the University of Maryland, College Park, will discuss one of the best-known Japanese writers of the post-1945 period, Yukio Mishima.

The University Center for International Studies and the Hispanic Integration Program are sponsoring an educational presentation of "Nuestra Comunidad." The student-run Hispanic Integration Program is based in the Campus Y and bridges UNC with the Latino immigrant community.

Join representatives from the University Center for International Studies at a reception announcing winners of the second annual International Education Week Photography Competition. To enter a photograph, visit www.ucis.unc.edu/events.

Saturday, Nov. 23, Masala Fashion Show

Masala, an umbrella organization for campus cultural groups, will showcase the talents of UNC's finest cultural performers in their annual fashion show. Highlights will include dances, skits, poetry and modeling. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Pit beginning Nov. 15.

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Photo URL: http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/visiting/fullbright_harriet110502.jpg

University Center for International Studies contact: Cindy DiCello, (919) 843-5287

News Services contact: Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593