2021 | Spring Term | Monday, April 19 - Friday, April 23
World Fest, a celebration of the cultural diversity on our campus, features zoom talks, as well as a virtual rendering of our signature event the International Food Fair. World Fest is brought to you by International Student Programs and the Caltech Y. Contact caltechy@caltech.edu if you have difficulty accessing the RSVP links below.
Reframing U.S.-China Climate Relations: Competition as the Key to Climate Mitigation
Monday, April 19th | 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
The U.S.- China climate relationship has long been recognized as the most important element of a successful carbon mitigation strategy worldwide. While those in the climate community generally frame the discussion in terms of how to reinvigorate U.S.- China cooperation, it is important to rethink the relationship in terms of competition between two countries committed to Green Industrial Policy and the opportunities that opens for a new approach. The world requires a new paradigm for regulating a competition in carbon reduction. An Earth Week and World Fest conversation with Dr. Deborah Seligsohn, Assistant Professor Political Science Department at Villanova University.
Singapore Street Food
Tuesday, April 20 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT | Zoom Recording | Presentation Slides
Guided by award-winning journalist, Rachel Ng, join us as we visit Singapore's ubiquitous hawker centers. Peer through the curtains of hanging poultry or behind columns of bamboo steamers, and you'll see the diverse faces of the cooks and their calluses-harden hands steadfastly preparing affordable meals to feed millions each day. We'll explore how these formerly itinerant food vendors became such a vital part of the growth of a country after it parted ways with its colonial rulers in the 1960s. A beloved institution since before Singapore's founding in 1965, the hawker culture was recently inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Follow Rachel's adventures on Instagram @rachelloveschicken.
Rachel Ng's Recommendations:
Restaurants
Simpang Asia, Los Angeles
Borneo Kalimantan Cuisine, Alhambra
Green Zone, Temple City
Newport Seafood Restaurant, San Gabriel (Rachel's favorite: Water Spinach & Lobster)
Catering
Samtans Kitchen
Kari Leaf USA
Diplomacy, Politics and Power
Thursday, April 22 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT
Explore the complex interplay of diplomacy, politics, and power at the highest national and international levels. Get a glimpse into U.S. policy and international relations as insiders share their experiences interacting with different White House administrations and a variety of political players. Presented by Kathleen Doherty, former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, and current Chief Strategy and Retreats Officer for the Annenberg Foundation Trust and by Michael Nelson, Caltech Alumnus, former principal technology policy strategist in Microsoft's Technology Policy Group, and current Senior Fellow and Director of the Carnegie Endowment's Technology and International Affairs Program.
Welcome to Kazakhstan
Friday, April 23 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT | Zoom Recording
Graduate student, Altyn Rymbek, takes us on a journey to her home country of Kazakhstan. Explore the unique culture and topography of the world's largest landlocked country. Don't miss this opportunity to get to know the real Kazakhstan from an insider's point of view.
The presentation of speakers should not be considered an endorsement of the speakers' views by the California Institute of Technology, Caltech International Student Programs, The Caltech Y, or The Caltech Y Student Activism Speaker Series (SASS) Committee. Views expressed are solely those of the speakers.
Thanks to all who contributed to World Fest 2021!
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