Ebola awareness panel, other events highlight International Education Week

Many experts believe Africa is on the brink of taking off economically. Its population is predicted to double to 2 billion people over the next 40 years, productivity there is rising and inflation is down significantly.

With that in mind, the continent is the focus of this year's International Education Week, which runs through Oct. 31 at Harper College.

Tied to a national observance backed by the U.S. Departments of Education and State, the event is designed to raise awareness of different cultures while stressing the importance of thinking globally.

"Human rights and social justice are important for all of us," Professor Richard Johnson said. "For the most part, we're able to enjoy equitable access toward variety of opportunities. But Harper's very own district, we have people who have come here from regions of the world who don't have that. They've been touched by a variety of injustices and come here to enjoy opportunities. International Education Week can give us a greater appreciation of what we have, as well as the struggles of those people who don't have those opportunities. That consciousness is important."

Events include:

International Human Rights Expo: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Building A corridor and Room A243. The expo will bring together a variety of organizations involved in local, national and international human rights issues. Learn about the significance of human rights struggles around the world and discover opportunities to get involved safeguarding these important values. Presentations include "Human Trafficking: A Global Issue with Local Impact" from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. by trafficking specialist Elyse Dobney, who will discuss the methods by which individuals are recruited and controlled, and how the community can safely identify and engage suspected victims. Another presentation, "Displaced Persons: Advocacy and Activism with Immigrants and Refugees" will be held from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

African Lecture Series: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Building W, Room W218. Dr. James Gramlich, Associate Professor of Sociology, will lead "Urban Growth and Development in East Africa: Kampala and Kigali." The presentation will examine urbanization in post-colonial East Africa and the current state of both capital cities including the issues facing urban planners.

Ebola Awareness Student Panel: 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Avanté Center, Room Z117. Learn more about the Ebola virus, how it's transmitted and what's being done to contain the virus and reduce the spread.

Breaking Bias: Student Panel on Bias in the U.S. and Abroad. 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in Building A, Room A243. The community is invited to join in an interactive panel discussion about the experiences and attitudes toward bias in the U.S. and abroad. Students leading the discussion are enrolled in the ELITE (Engagement and Leadership Initiative to Transition Effectively) program, which is designed to enhance the personal and academic development of African-American students at Harper.

All events are on Harper's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine, and the community is invited. For a full calendar listing, visit harpercollege.edu.