International Education Week planned Nov. 17-21

Faculty, staff and students will have the opportunity to learn about culture from around the world during Fresno State's International Education Week, Nov. 17-21.

International Education Week offers several opportunities for people to expand their knowledge of cultures from around the world through special guest and faculty speakers. Weeklong Schedule

"Continuing and Global Education has spearheaded the event for the last two years.  Our goal is to engage the campus and community in contemporary international education issues through lectures, panels, music and related discussion," said Bill Erysian, who is coordinating the activities. "Given the vast cultural and ethnic diversity of Central California, the university is well-positioned to broaden our programs for this year to reach even more individuals," he said.

Among the special guests is Rigoberta Menchu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992, will speak on Tuesdsay, Nov. 18. Her topic is "Indian Rights, Social Change and the Human Challenge of Peace in the 21 st Century."

Menchu has become widely known as a leading advocate of Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation and her work has earned her several international awards.

The presentation, which is also part of the University Lecture Series, is free and open to the public. It will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union.

Dr. Stefanos Gialamas

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, provost of the American College of Thessaloniki in Greece, will speak on "Globalization, Multiculturalism and International Studies at the American College of Thessaloniki" at 2 p.m. in University Student Union, Room 308. Last year, Fresno State President Welty and the college signed a partnership agreement for academic and scholarly exchange. 

Other events during the week include a panel discussion by students about their service-learning course in South Africa; a dialogue of African students, faculty and community members discussing their experiences, dual identity and efforts to share their history in their new adopted society; a discussion about history, religion, politics, women's rights and everyday life in Iran; a panel of immigrants who will recount their personal stories about integrating into American life; and presentations by California students who have studied abroad and international students currently studying in the United States.    

International Education Week grew out of a proclamation in 2000 by then-U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley, designating a nationwide observance of international education.   For more information on the national observance of International Education week see http://exchanges.state.gov/iew.