Identity within a Global Citizenry Community College of Philadelphia Celebrates its 33rd Annual International Festival

Contact: Linda Wallace, 215-751-8082, liswallace@ccp.edu


Philadelphia, April 31, 2017---As the nation’s first World Heritage City, Philadelphia prides itself on global engagement and global citizenship. Community College of Philadelphia continuously builds upon those civic and cultural values, and this week it is inviting the City to join in during its 33rd Annual International Festival, which will be April 3-10.

The festival began largely as a celebration of food, dance and culture, but over the years it has broadened to integrate lectures on current affairs and integrate events with classroom-based activities. This year’s theme, “Identity within a Global Citizenry” touches upon many timely topics in the news, such as political changes in Cuba and the Middle East; refugees and immigration.

With the goal of developing an informed citizenry, faculty have broadened the scope of educational opportunities by connecting lectures with classrooms and using the dialog to engage students in the study of world history, languages, and more.

For example, Tanzania and Cuba are central topics at this year’s festival. Over the summer, groups of students and faculty from the College will study abroad in those countries, learning about the history, culture and more. “I would like to emphasize this College has been a national leader in winning and using federal grants to internationalize our college,” said Dr. Fay Beauchamp, who is the College’s director for the Center for International Understanding.

Students benefit from the grants, as the curricula has become internationalize, Dr. Beauchamp said, and classes have been added and programs enriched. As a result, the College now offers an array of language classes in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Swahili and courses focused on different world areas.

The International Festival Luncheon will kick off the week with a keynote address from the City Solicitor for Philadelphia, Sozi Pedro Tulante, who will discuss immigration and reflect upon current events. Tulante, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1983 as a political refugee, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire); manages 300 staff in the Philadelphia Law Department, and represents the City in all lawsuits. Although RSVPs for the Luncheon are now closed, a plethora of other events will be open to the public to attend.

On Friday, the social activist Hip Hop Duo Obsesion from Havana, Cuba, will showcase their work as activist artists. Alexey Rodriguez Mola and Magia Lopez Cabrera, the founding members of Obsesion, will discuss their role in the hip hop movement in Cuba since the 1990s. The event starts at 11:30 AM April 7, in the Great Hall of the Winnet Student Life Building, Room S2-19.

Additional newsworthy events include the following:

  • Reception and Lecture to Celebrate 2016 and 2017 Title VI Tanzania Study Abroad students and faculty: The reception will recognize the contributions of Dr. Richard Mshomba, Professor of Economics at LaSalle University. Dr. Mshomba will also lead a lecture titled “From Social Activist Rhetoric to Independence and Unity: The Case of Julius Nyerere and Tanzania.” Monday, April 3, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Great Hall, Room S2-19, Winnet Student Life Building
  • Understanding Middle Eastern Cultures and Contemporary Life: Dr. Beauchamp; Professor Soad Shindy, Arabic instructor at the College; and Ms. Simaa Amin— will lead conversations focused on Islamic traditions and beliefs and social justice associated with the culture both in the Middle East and the United States. Tuesday, April 4, 9:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., Great Hall, Room S2-19, Winnet Student Life Building
  • Fair Trade Chocolate and the Need to End Forced Child Labor in the International Chocolate Industry: Students from the International Student Association (ISA), alongside Professor Ari Bank, will lead a presentation and discussion focusing on fair trade chocolate, and strategies to eliminate global forced child labor. Tuesday, April 4, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Room C2-28, Center for Business and Industry
  • Taste the World Event: Experience a variety of tastes and flavors from around the world prepared by the students in the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management program. Wednesday, April 5, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m., Pavilion Building, 2nd Floor
  • South Asian Dance Performance: Siddhendra Kuchipudi Art Academy which promotes India's cultural heritage by teaching and performing Kuchipudi, a South Indian classical dance form, will perform with their Founder and Artistic Director Swathi Atluri (Gundapuneedi). Wednesday, April 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., BG-20, Bonnell Building
  • Japan Fishermen’s Dance and Cultural Explanations: Professor Akiko Mori, Instructor of Japanese, and many of her students will perform Soran Bushi, one of Japan’s most famous traditional songs with a dance. Between performances Professor Mori will explain the significance and history of the various “Fishermen’s Dances.” Wednesday, April 5, 12:40 a.m. to 1:40 p.m., BG-20, Bonnell Building
  •  International Festival Cultural Show: The annual Show demonstrates the appreciation of the diverse traditions of students at Community College of Philadelphia. Hosted by the founder of the College’s International Festival—Dr. Pairat Sethbhakdi, and Swahili language instructor Beatrice Bolger and her Swahili 101 students. Wednesday, April 5, 1:50 a.m. to 2:50 p.m., BG-20, Bonnell Building
  • Obsesion—Women’s Rights and Social Concerns in Cuba: Talk and Discussion: Obsesion will discuss how the hip hop movements relates to their Afro-Cuban communities focusing on women’s rights, the Afro-Cuban culture, and their struggles with race relations. Friday, April 7, 12:40 p.m.-1:40 p.m., Great Hall, Room S2-19, Winnet Student Life Building

 

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