What does it mean to be a global citizen? Is it speaking more than one language? Traveling abroad? Driving a foreign car? Cooking and eating ethnic cuisines? Living in a foreign country?
Cal Poly Pomona will celebrate International Education Week Nov. 15-19. Through workshops, guest speakers, cultural performances, a food festival and an international research conference, the campus community can explore and discuss what it means to be a global citizen.
While speaking multiple languages, traveling abroad and enjoying
different ethnic cuisines may be qualities of a global citizen, having
an international education is key, says Faiza Shereen, director of the
International Center.
“A global citizen is someone who has expanded their horizons so much
that they can accept, understand and tolerate something that’s
diametrically opposite to what they’re used to,” she says. “They can
understand and appreciate the people, ways and traditions that are
different from their own.”
International Education Week kicks off with a conference on Nov.
15-16 titled “Global Citizenship for the 21 Century.” The conference
includes guest speaker Fatima Dadiqi, professor of linguistics and
gender studies and president of the Centre for Studies and Research on
Women at Fes University in Morocco, who will speak about the role of
women preserving native culture in an age of globalization. Father
James L. Heft, professor of religion and president of the Institute for
Advanced Catholic Studies at USC, will talk interfaith dialogue in a
world of global interdependence.
The conference, held at the Bronco Student Center, also includes a
roundtable discussion about educating global citizens, several
workshops and a reception with Provost Marten denBoer.
Other events during that week include:
Monday, Nov. 16
International Food Fare
Los Olivos Commons
Tuesday, Nov. 17 – International Festival at University Park
Study Abroad Fair, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
International Food Festival, noon to 1 p.m.
International Parade, 12:10 p.m.
Taiko Drum Performance, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
International Happy Hour
5 to 8 p.m.
Karaoke and dinner at the International Center, Building 1, room 104. The cost is $5.
Thursday, Nov. 19
Panel Discussion: “Global Citizenship: What’s in it for me?”
Noon to 1 p.m.
Ursa Minor, Bronco Student Center
International Banquet
5:30 p.m.
The campus community is invited to this event at Kellogg West. RSVP to mntran@cpp.edu by Nov. 10. The cost is $5.
For more information, visit www.cpp.edu/international.