Whether you're from Hong Kong or Paris, Nairobi or Rome, from clear across the country or call Athens your home, International Week is packed with events to suit your global affinities and curiosities.
Usually sponsored by the International Student Union, this year's week is also supported by the Black Student Cultural Programming Board and the University Programming Council. UPC helped ISU to bring last year's speaker, Alania Fernandez, the daughter of Fidel Castro, but this is the first year that all three groups collaborated on the entire week of programming.
The week begins with the rugby movie Invictus at 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Baker University Center Theatre, and the International Street Fair next Saturday and World Cup Soccer Championship on Sunday will round out the week.
Keynote speaker Emmanuel Jal will present Monday at 7 p.m. in Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium.
A hip-hop artist and former child soldier in Sudan, Jal brings a message about war, peace and human rights. Music is an integral part of his presentations.
I thought he had a really compelling story and would relate to a wide audience
said Amanda Yusko, international student advisor and chair for the international week committee.
Jal is also featured in the documentary War Child, which is also showing during International Week.
Last year's keynote address had the largest turnout in years, Yusko said.
In past years we usually had about 200 to 300 people come to the keynote address; last year we filled up the (Baker) Ballroom Yusko said.
She added that the partnership with UPC and other organizations was a natural one because both UPC and BSCPB had inquired about the keynote speaker this year. The three organizations decided to work together to apply for funding to bring Jal to Athens.
The week's programming costs about $14,000, Yusko said.
New partners means new programs this year with the addition of various service projects taking place throughout the week alongside old standards such as A Taste of Study Abroad, the ISU talent show and the International Photography Contest.
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Culture
Rosie Haney
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