The University of Wisconsin–Madison will celebrate the campus’s commitment to international education and cultural diversity through a week of lectures, programs, fairs, and other activities during International Education Week, November 14–18.
The week will kick off with a Global Information Fair, featuring live music, dancing, and food, followed by a keynote lecture by Wajahat Ali. Ali is a journalist, writer, lawyer, an award-winning playwright, a TV host, and a consultant for the U.S. State Department. Ali and his team work to create social entrepreneurship initiatives, which benefit marginalized communities and work to encourage individuals to develop creative answers to global challenges.
Additional activities are planned daily, including brown bag lectures, a passport drive, a PeaceCorps Story Slam, and a career networking event. A special Q&A will be held Thursday, featuring, Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist punk rock band that made international waves through its stance on human rights and opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church. Tickets are required for “Pussy Riot – In conversation and Q&A,” but all other events are free and open to the public.
The week’s events, which are sponsored by the International Division and partners from across campus, are planned as a way to showcase UW–Madison’s offerings as a global university.
“UW–Madison is a leader in international learning, scholarship, and engagement,” said Guido Podestá, vice provost and dean of the International Division. “International Education Week is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the university’s commitment to all facets of global education.”
A listing of the week’s events is below. Additional information on the events, as well as a schedule of topics for the Brown Bag lectures can be found at international.wisc.edu/iew.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT FAIR FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER WAJAHAT ALI
4-6:30 p.m., Discovery Building, Atrium and Deluca Forum
5 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks by Chancellor Rebecca Blank
5:15 p.m. Keynote speech by Wajahat Ali, followed by Q&A
Wajahat Ali is a journalist, writer, lawyer, an award-winning playwright, a TV host, and a consultant for the U.S. State Department. As Creative Director of Affinis Labs, he works to create social entrepreneurship initiatives that have a positive impact for marginalized communities, and to empower social entrepreneurs, young leaders, creatives, and communities to come up with innovative solutions to tackle world problems. Learn more.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
10 a.m.-2 p.m., East Campus Mall, Library Mall, and Gordon Commons
Don’t have a passport or need to renew your current one? Stop by for $5 passport photo coupons, tips on the passport application process, and free snacks. Students & staff from the campus community will advise on filling out forms and discussing international research, internship, and study abroad options. Learn more.
7-9 p.m., Memorial Union, Friederich March Play Circle
Hear Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Madison take the stage and share tales of adventure and misadventure from their Peace Corps services. You’ll hear tales of mayhem, mischief, and laughter. Join us for a night that is sure to be one you won’t soon forget! The event is free with your student ID or the donation of two or more non-perishable food items. All food items will be donated to The Open Seat, the UW-Madison food pantry. Learn more.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
INTERNATIONAL CAREER CONNECTIONS: ALUMNI MENTORING
6-7:30 p.m., Discovery Building, Town Center
Meet and network with alumni who took their international experiences to work with them in a broad range of career areas, from business to education, science to communication. Learn about the paths that former students took to get where they are today and get advice for your own next steps. Refreshments will be provided. Learn more.
PUSSY RIOT: IN CONVERSATION + Q&A
8 p.m., Memorial Union, Shannon Hall
Learn more about the event and purchase tickets.
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
DAILY BROWN BAG LECTURES
Noon-1 p.m., Bascom Hall, Room 165
Learn more about lecture topics for the week or view the flyer.
International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the US Department of State and the US Department of Education. IEW at UW Madison is sponsored by: The International Division, CALS International Programs, the Center for Leadership & Involvement, International Academic Programs, International Engineering Studies & Programs, International Internship Program, International Student Services, Institute for Regional & International Studies, and Wisconsin School of Business International Programs.
Story by Steve Barcus