International Education Week
Week 8 | Fall Term | Monday, Nov 15 - Friday, Nov 19, 2021
Advocating for International Education
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
Global learning leads to a more engaged and welcoming United States, more responsive and participatory government, and a more secure and peaceful world. Organizations like NAFSA, IIE, and the Presidents' Alliance advocate for policies that foster the exchange of ideas, create a commonsense immigration process, support the evolution and improvement of democratic institutions, and encourage enlightened global engagement. Erica Stewart, Director of NAFSA's Advocacy & Media Outreach, will share NAFSA's advocacy efforts, and show us how we can speak out for students, scholars, and policies that matter to us! Greg Fletcher, Program Director for the Caltech Y, will discuss student-led opportunities and programs to get locally and globally involved in volunteer and advocacy programs. For additional resources, Click Here to Get Informed and Get Involved
Advocating for Social & Economic Inclusion in Brazil
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
While back at his hometown of Florianópolis, Brazil during the pandemic, graduate student Eduardo de Veiga Beltrame was struck by the shared set of challenges between Brazil and the United States. The year 2020 drew his attention towards educational inequalities, marginalized communities, violence, wildfires, and volatile political climates. He recognized his very fortunate position juxtaposed to the economic struggle and anxiety others around him were experiencing. What could he do about it? How could he leverage his position as a graduate student in the United States to help improve conditions in Brazil? He found an avenue for doing that through the Vilson Groh Institute, a non-profit organization from his hometown built on decades of work in marginalized communities providing cultural, educational, and community projects, and providing basic support to people in need. In this session, Eduardo will share his path in advocacy and his hope for the future. He will be joined by Tainara Lemos das Neves, the educational program director of the Vilson Groh Institute. Together, they will share a vision for tangible solutions to the thorniest problems of Brazilian society through civic and technological education, social and economic inclusion, and a shared set of values. If interested in a preview, Eduardo also recently published an article about his experiences.
Advocating for Animal Welfare in Kazakhstan
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides
When graduate student, Altyn Rymbek, learned of animal mistreatment in her home country, she vowed to be part of the solution. Being far from home, she joined an animal rescue organization in Kazakhstan that is working to change animal welfare laws in the country and to educate youth to respect and care for animals and pets in the hopes of changing the culture from within. Altyn volunteers remotely and helps to build partnerships with local U.S. animal rescue and welfare organizations to learn from their experience. In this presentation, Altyn will share her personal journey in advocacy and address current governmental practices for controlling the animal population in Kazakhstan and in many developing countries as well as what advocates are doing to make a better world for our animal friends.
Advocating for International Students & Scholars in the United States
U.S. travel bans, both pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, hindered academics from study, research, and critical scientific collaborations. As travel halted, advocacy and activism grew in support of international students and scholars. Online communities sprouted across social media platforms to share concerns about discrimination and lack of opportunity, as well as to navigate personal mental health challenges. Hear how some international scholars found their voice to advocate for change. This moderated panel features Dr. Valeria Barra, Caltech Research Software Engineer, Dr. Carmen Falcone, postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis, and Dr. Valerio Francioni, postdoctoral scholar at MIT.
Advocating for Academic Freedom in Belarus
Zoom Recording | PPT Slides | Advocacy Resources
Following a 2020 presidential election marred by accusations of electoral fraud, there have been widespread protests across Belarus supporting democracy that have been met with a violent crackdown by authorities. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch cite "harassment and intimidation resulting in mass detentions and criminal cases against peaceful protesters." Government repression in Belarus has targeted universities with the expulsion of students and the firing of professors that participate in peaceful protests. Academics and students face detention, criminal charges, and imprisonment with many forced to flee the country for their own safety. Graduate student Alena Buinskaya shares her personal experiences advocating for democracy in Belarus and ways the local academic community can get involved. Advocacy information available at the Belarus Freedom Forum.
Celebrating and promoting international education and exchange, International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to recognize the global exchange environment between the United States and other countries.
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