Festivals, lectures to highlight ASU International Education Week

Arizona State University is participating in the worldwide celebration of International Education Week (IEW) on all four campuses, with a full schedule of music, performances, food, cultural displays and lectures through Nov. 18.

As one of the top destinations for international students who want to study in the United States, ASU’s diverse student body will showcase their culture to the public and the campus communities.

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, recognized by Gov. Jan Brewer in an official proclamation.

The highlight will be one of ASU’s most popular events, the 8th Annual International Night, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nov. 18, on Hayden Lawn in Tempe. The celebration of dance, music, food and cultural displays is free and open to the public. Performances will include belly dancing, the Sun Devil Drill Team, a yo-yo performance and a cha-cha demonstration.

Student groups performing will include the Indian, Bangladesh and Turkey Students Associations, Chinese Student and Iraqi Student clubs, Students for Justice in Palestine and the band Dream Angels.

One of the world’s leading authorities on Mahatma Gandhi, Dennis Dalton, will give a presentation on “Nonviolent Change and Reform Today: Lessons from Gandhi” at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 16, at the Nursing and Health Innovation Building Two, 550 N. Third St., Phoenix, Innovation Auditorium, room 110. For more information visit http://csrc.asu.edu/.

A lecture, “A Palestinian State: In U.S. and International Interests,” will be given at 12:30 p.m., Nov. 17, in the Memorial Union, by Maen Rashid Areikat, chief PLO representative to the United States. RSVP by 5 p.m., Nov. 16, at http://outreach.asu.edu/specialevents/rsvp-lecture.

Another cultural showcase, the 2nd Annual South Campus Festival for World Change, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 17, at Palm Court lawn in Barrett, the Honors College. The event will include performances by the African Drum Ensemble and the ASU Tango Club, and an organizational fair featuring many ASU and Phoenix organizations.

For a complete schedule of events, visit http://global.asu.edu/iew.

Written by Sarah Auffret