Arab democracy topic for international week speaker

Washington State University’s International Students’ Council will welcome American University professor Clovis Maksoud to campus Sept. 28 when he will discuss “Prospects and Problems, Democracy in the Arab Countries” as part of International Education Week at WSU.

As former ambassador of the Arab League in India and chief representative of the Arab League States to the United States and United Nations, Maksoud’s expertise in Arab democracy is extensive. He is a professor of global south studies and international relations.

Maksoud’s keynote presentation is set for 7-8 p.m. at Bryan Hall Auditorium. Admission is free. The International Students’ Council, The Foley Institute and the Asia Program will sponsor this event.

International Education Week will open at noon Saturday, Sept. 24 with “Party in the Park” at Pullman’s Reaney Park. The event will run through 5 p.m. and includes a variety of activities for all ages. The Latin American band “Milonga,” WSU Japan Club and the KuUmba Drummers will provide music. Fun seekers can sample Chinese arts and crafts and Indian henna painting. There will be games and an inflatable castle for kids and more.

Admission is free. The International Students’ Council and the Student Entertainment Board will sponsor the event. For more information, contact Brandon Baker at babaker@wsu.edu.

The WSU Residence Dining Facilities (Northside Marketplace, CUB Court, Hillside Café and Stephenson Dining Hall) will spice up their menus Sept. 24 through Oct. 2 with international cuisines. International students, faculty and community members have donated their international recipes. For more information, visit the WSU dining centers, go to http://www.livingat.wsu.edu, or contact Gina Murray, dining services market coordinator, at 335-5380.

Pullman’s Audian Theatre will host an international film festival Sunday, Sept. 25. The German film “Schultze Gets the Blues,” named best movie at the Gijon International Film Festival, will play at 2 p.m. The French drama “The Chorus,” nominated in 2004 for Academy Awards for best foreign language film and best song, will play at 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free. The Audian Theatre will sponsor the event. For more information, contact Victoria Dubigk at vdubigk@wsu.edu.

A campus kick-off celebration on Glenn Terrell Mall will run from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 26, 28 and 30. Bands scheduled to perform include local band Potatohead, 3rd Degree Burn and Seseat Shyya. The event will provide participants with more information about International Education Week and its events. For more details, contact Brandon Baker at babaker@wsu.edu.

An international student panel, film and lecture series will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 26-29 in the Compton Union Building. The International Students’ Council and the Honors College will sponsor the series to help stimulate interest in foreign cultures.

The schedule includes a Monday, Sept. 26 lecture by Lydia Gerber, a history professor at WSU, who will share her knowledge of Chinese and German culture in “Fostering Mutual Understanding? Richard Wilhelm’s Promotion of Chinese Thought in Germany.” The lecture will be in the CUB, Room 212.

Faculty member Wesley Leid Jr. will direct a student panel comprised of representatives from more than 10 nations Tuesday, Sept. 27. International students will discuss values specific to their cultures and how they affect the outside world. Members of the community and campus are invited to share opinions and ask questions. The lecture will be in CUB, Room 123.

Representatives from around the world will share pictures, clothes, artifacts and tell stories from their home countries from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Culture Fair and Exchange Programs event on Glenn Terrell Mall. Exchange Programs representatives will be available to answer questions about study abroad programs The Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures invites high school students from nearby communities to attend and sponsors their trip to the WSU campus.

For more information, contact Jia Le Xu at jxu@wsu.edu, Allegra Johnson, allegra_johnson@wsu.edu, or Eloy Gonzalez, faculty member, foreign languages and cultures, at eloygonz@wsu.edu.

The Honors College will host a free showing of “The Motorcycle Diaries” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 in its lounge. The film will take audience members on a trip through South America.

Library Night is set for 6-8 p.m. Sept. 28 at Neill Public Library. Elementary school children can learn aspects of different cultural traditions through music, pictures and games. International and domestic students from WSU will be on hand with cultural dress, activities, stories and more. There is no cost to attend. Contact Anna Folger, International Education Week coordinator, 335-4223 or akfolger@wsu.edu.

The International Centerhome of the International Students’ Council, international students and domestic students with international interestswill host an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 29 in the CUB, Room B-25. Mary Wack, director of undergraduate education, will discuss international education and Jodi Simek, the center’s new coordinator, will share her vision for the future. Executive administrators, academic deans, Washington state representatives, faculty, staff, students and Pullman community members are scheduled to attend. Refreshments will be served. For more details, contact Anna Folger, International Education Week coordinator, 335-4223 or akfolger@wsu.edu.

“Elling,” a Norwegian movie, will be shown at 9 p.m. Sept. 30 in the CUB Auditorium. This comedic drama shows what it’s like to be different. The film is appropriate for all audiences. For more information, contact Hai Tran at hvtran@wsu.edu.

International Coffee Hour is set for 3-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at the International Center, CUB B-25. Every Friday, the coffee hour allows domestic and international students to mingle with each other over free coffee and cookies. Topics important to international students will be discussed. The public is welcome to attend. The topic for Sept. 30 is “History of Homecoming,” in preparation of WSU’s homecoming next month. For more information, contact Jodi Simek, International Center coordinator, at 335-4066, or jbsimek@wsu.edu.

“International Up-All-Night” will begin at 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 30 at the CUB. Campus Involvement and the International Students’ Council will organize this late-night entertainment program. Participants can take part in numerous activities offered by multicultural, international and domestic students. There will be movies, live music and food. There is not cost to attend. For more information, contact Yumiko Aramaki at yumiko_aramaki@wsu.edu.

The Pullman community will host an International Fashion/Talent Show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 in the little theater at Gladish Community Center. WSU students and community members will present different styles of clothing and dress from around the world. International music will be provided. Admission is free. The International Students’ Council, and the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles will sponsor the event. For more information, contact Julie Carson at jcarson@wsu.edu.

A soccer tournament will be held Oct. 1-2 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Grimes Field. The WSU Japan Club will once again host the ever-popular World Cup Soccer Tournament. Soccer enthusiasts of all abilities can participate. For more information, contact Shinji Kimura, president of Japan Club, at Dublin@wsu.edu.

An international flag displaythat represents countries of all WSU students, faculty and staff–will be displayed on the WSU campus from the CUB to Bryan Hall. For more information, contact Anna Folger, International Education Week coordinator, 335-4223 or akfolger@wsu.edu.

Visit the WSU International Education Week Web site at www.ip.wsu.edu for more information on the week’s events.