Harper celebrates International Week

In celebration of International Education Week, Harper College will host a series of free public events — including a Human Rights Expo, film screenings, a food festival and guest lectures — designed to raise awareness of different cultures and stress the importance of thinking globally.

The week, tied to a national observance backed by the U.S. Departments of Education and State, began Monday, Oct. 19 and runs through Thursday, Nov. 1.

“As technology continues to erase borders, international education prepares students to succeed in a global workforce,” said Karen Patterson, assistant professor of art history and co-chair of the International Studies and Programs Committee. “It helps people see beyond their own perspectives, foster diversity and tolerance and opens their minds to a much richer world of politics, art, ideas and culture.”

Events include:

Ÿ International Human Rights Expo: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, Room A236, Building A: Multiple human rights groups will offer free, hourlong presentations focused on current issues, their international and local work and volunteer and activism opportunities. Topics include human trafficking, United States globalization, world bicycle relief and more.

Ÿ Documentary Filmmaker Robert Adanto: 12:30 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, Room E108, Building E: Adanto will screen two of his feature-length films, “The Rising Tide” and “Pearls on the Ocean Floor,” and host question-and-answer sessions afterward. “The Rising Tide” explores China’s march toward the future through the work of talented photographers and artists.

Ÿ Author and Mathematician Pat McKeague: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, Room D227, Building D: McKeague will present the lecture “ Islam and Mathematics: A Story of Cooperation and Peace,” focusing on the way cultures have cooperated to advance the study of mathematics.

Ÿ Germanfest: Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, Building A main floor Student Center: Harper’s German Club will host its annual festival of food and fun. The event will include free German cuisine, German music, short German language lessons and more.

All events are on Harper’s main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. For a full calendar listing of the week’s events, visit www.harpercollege.edu and choose “Campus Calendar.”

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