International Festival

Exploring World Cultures

The University Center on Carnegie Mellon's Pittsburgh campus was transformed into a world of exploration for the 17th Annual International Festival. This year's activities shed light on the changing economies of today's world.

"The International Festival is such an exciting opportunity for the campus community to look in depth at a significant global issue," said Emily Half, who coordinated the festival. "Participants are able to delve into the issues at many levels, gain new perspectives, as well as have fun. The 2007 theme, 'Global Exchange: Trade, Rights & Welfare in a New World Economy,' is very timely and I believe very enriching."

Charles Fishman delivered the keynote lecture Nov. 2 at 12:30 p.m. in the Rangos Ballroom. An award-winning journalist and author of "The Wal-Mart Effect," Fishman discussed how Wal-Mart has transformed the American economy and what it means for the future of globalization.

More "must-sees" at the festival included:

Thursday, Nov 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Poverty Simulation, Connan Room & McConomy Auditorium
Friday, Nov 2, 4:30 p.m., Student Cultural Food Fair, Rangos 3
Friday, Nov 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hunger Banquet, Connan Room
Friday, Nov 2, 7 p.m., "Anthropological Data" (Drama Production), McConomy Auditorium
Saturday, Nov 3, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., International Marketplace (with food and craft vendors), Rangos Ballroom
Saturday, Nov 3, 7-10 p.m., Bhangra in the 'Burgh, Soldiers & Sailors Hall, Oakland

There was something for everyone — from an art gallery filled with work depicting wage inequality to a lecture on the embrace of globalization in India and China. Visitors learned about the significance of fair trade and the prospect of micro-lending, as well as heard accounts of illegal immigration in the United States.

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