UALR broadened the scope of its annual International Celebration Day to include a week filled with activities designed to enhance inter-cultural awareness and understanding, including films, panel discussions, an international Thanksgiving, and an interfaith dialogue lunch.

Festivities open with International Film Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in Donaghey Student Center Room 205 – Trojan Alley. All films are free and open to the public. Titles include “Der Himmel über Berlin”  (The Sky Over Berlin/Wings of Desire), Germany; “Pelisky“ (Cozy Dens), Czechoslovakia; and “Bella Martha,” Germany.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, students and faculty celebrate world cultures at International Celebration Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the DSC’s Ledbetter Hall Room A, B, and C with student groups representing different countries and cultures’ native dress, music, and food.

Students in Intercultural Communications classes will present posters on communicating across cultures including Rwanda, China, India, Mexico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, France, Pakistan and Russia. Representatives of Heifer International, International Friendship Outreach, and WinRock International, as well as wide array of campus and student organizations will distribute information and discuss career and volunteer opportunities across the world.

“This is an exciting celebration of world-wide cultures featuring music, interactive displays, posters, and food,” said Dr. Gerald Driskill, associate professor of speech communication. “International Celebration Day is a free and public event that brings the world to UALR by providing international education and experiences for the campus and the community.”

UALR’s Programs Abroad Office will be present to provide information about international exchange programs and other programs abroad. Various music groups will be featured throughout the day, representing a number of different cultures and musical traditions. Musical guests representing different cultural traditions will be playing throughout the event.

Members of UALR’s faculty and members of the community will present a panel discussion – “Afghanistan: Obama’s War?” – from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the DSC’s Leadership Lounge – Room 201.

Sophia Said, a Pakistani master’s student at the Clinton School of Public Service, and Dr. Walter Nunn, director of the Arkansas International Center, will join UALR professor Andrew Drummond, an expert in comparative politics; Joseph Giammo on domestic politics, and Rebecca Glazier in international relations and U.S. foreign policy for what promises to be a lively discussion on the domestic and international politics of the current military action in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dr. Jacek Lubecki will moderate.

Thursday, UALR will host an International Thanksgiving Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the DSC’s Ledbetter Hall, featuring the traditions of the American Thanksgiving.

The week concludes with the Interfaith Dialogue Lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in DSC Room 205 G to promote discussion and greater understanding about how faith and culture affect our lives.

The informal dialogue will include four students from various backgrounds and faiths at each table sharing a meal and discussion.

The event is free for students, but space is limited. To encourage diversity at each table, students wishing to attend should fill submit an application to hxbinder@ualr. The form can also be printed out and delivered to the Office of International Services in Stabler Hall 105.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 13 and participants will be notified by e-mail.