UC s 2009 Worldfest Examines Economic Justice

UC International reports that every year, more than 2,500 international visitors from more than 90 different countries come to the University of Cincinnati to study, teach, conduct research and give lectures. Every spring, UC’s Worldfest celebrates the diversity of UC’s campus through events meant to stimulate reflection on world issues, as well as share world traditions of food, dance, music, art and other entertainment. UC’s 2009 Worldfest takes place April 24 through May 3.

The majority of the events, including a May 3 showing of the Academy Award runaway hit, “Slumdog Millionaire,” are free and open to the public. The film begins at 7 p.m., Sunday, May 3, in the MainStreet Cinema of Tangeman University Center (TUC). In keeping with the 2009 Worldfest theme of economic justice, other events are meant to raise awareness, including an April 28 PB&J marathon, sponsored by the UC student organization, Serve Beyond Cincinnati, to benefit downtown social service agencies (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, on Bearcat Plaza), or a UC Center for Community Engagement-sponsored “Fast and Feast” on April 29, involving a letter-writing campaign to lawmakers about the state of world hunger.

Political activist and independent journalist Rosa Alicia Clemente is the University of Cincinnati’s 2009 Worldfest keynote speaker. Clemente’s lecture, “Human Rights and Economic Justice,” will take place at 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 28, in the MainStreet Cinema. Presented by the UC Leadership Lecture series, the event is free and open to the public.

One of the most visible highlights of Worldfest, the outdoor Worldfest International Festival, takes place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, April 30, on McMicken Commons. The festival – coordinated by UC International – features cuisine from international student groups and community organizations, as well as cultural displays, folk dancing, music and other entertainment.

The latest International Student Barometer, the largest survey of international college students in the world, rates UC fourth out of 84 institutions around the world for obtaining their education. UC has more than 20 active cultural/ethnic student organizations.

UC International reports that in 2008, 830 UC students studied abroad in approximately 50 countries.

Worldfest wraps up celebrations on Sunday, May 3, with the family-oriented Taste of India, hosted by the UC student organization, Aid to India’s Development (AID). The event, which features food, music and dancing, takes place from 4-7 p.m. in the Great Hall of TUC, and is followed by the movie, “Slumdog Millionaire,” beginning at 7 p.m. in the MainStreet Cinema.

Worldfest, a Just Community initiative, is co-sponsored by the African American Cultural and Research Center, Aid to India’s Development, the Career Development Center, the Center for Community Engagement, Ethnic Programs & Services, the Hillel Jewish Student Center, the International Business Club, MainStreet, the Muslim American Society, the Nepalese Student Association, Raymond Walters College, Serve Beyond Cincinnati, Society for Bharatiya Heritage, Student Activities & Leadership Development, Turkish Students & Scholars Association, the University Honors Program and UC International.

Check the 2009 Worldfest Complete Schedule of Events (Items highlighted in red indicate events at Raymond Walters College)

View Video and a Slideshow from Worldfest 2008

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