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2005, person-to-person connections brought world event home Season’s greetings from Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin! As I write this — a few days after Thanksgiving, a few days before December — I feel almost caught between seasons, undecided whether this column should convey thankful reflections or perhaps new year’s resolutions. With today’s topic, international education and the “globalization” of UW-Green Bay, we can do both, and celebrate success while resolving to expand opportunities in the future. I’ve addressed international education in this space previously, but can’t offhand remember a time our connections to world events have been so immediate, so evident. We’ll be reminded of this in about two weeks, at mid-year commencement, by the flags that traditionally hang above stage, one for each of the countries and tribal nations represented in the graduating class. One flag, the golden lion of Sri Lanka, will honor Dushani Corea-Dharmaratne. Many will recall Dushani’s superb work in helping coordinate campus relief for victims of the devastating Asian tsunami. She and others raised several thousand dollars to buy a replacement boat for a Sri Lankan fisherman whom Dushani and her family met while volunteering at a refugee camp. Presented this summer, the craft is helping the fisherman feed his own family and those of his crew. Look closely at the photo here for the UW-Green Bay logo and “Connecting learning to life” on the hull. That was Dushani’s idea. The decals communicate the idea that a phoenix-like rebirth for the fishing industry in Moratura, Sri Lanka, not far from her hometown, is a dream shared by her campus community on the far side of the globe. This project captures “connecting” at its best. People-to-people connections. That’s why the massive Pakistan earthquake was felt here, too. We were grateful to exchange e-mails recently with the Pakistani educators who spent two months as guests here last year. Thankfully, none was directly affected, but our friends from Baluchistan province shared first-hand stories of family, co-workers and students in need. “Pakistan Relief” became a personal matter for many in Green Bay. The world is a smaller place when we make these connections. We experienced this, too, when news arrived of the Nov. 9 hotel wedding bombings in Amman. The campus response was instantaneous, instinctive and heartfelt. Students and others moved quickly to schedule a vigil and forum. This was both moving and impressive. While I suspect many Americans sensed the great geopolitical shock of the blasts (peace shattered in a relatively stable nation, a surprising new front for Al-Qaeda activity), it is likely the needle moved far less dramatically in terms of deeper public emotion. Some are inured to news of such violence. Also, the inevitable first question of American-style international journalism (“Were many U.S. citizens killed?”) could not be answered so as to guarantee a lengthy stay on the front page. |
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It is a season to celebrate UW-Green Bay's commitment to international education. From Dushani Corea-Dharmaratne (in sunglasses, above) and an immensely practical gift for a Sri Lankan family; to November's candlelight vigil on campus; to a smiling lineup of distinguished, globally connected visitors... first person connections were a recurring story line this year.  Why, then, the grass-roots reaction at UW-Green Bay? Personal connections. This academic year, we are fortunate to have with us Prof. Ibtesam Al-Atiyat, a visiting Fulbright Scholar from Jordan. Teaching in our Social Change and Development and Women’s Studies programs, Prof. Al-Atiyat has been an engaging presence with our students. She has shared widely her expertise (on Dec. 3 she speaks at a workshop for teachers) and is contributing greatly to local understanding of Islam and the modern Mideast. Her friends at UW-Green Bay expressed relief that none of her loved ones in her home city were injured. Kudos to Prof. Kim Nielsen, students and others for making the campus forum equal parts compassionate gesture, powerful teaching tool and witness for global awareness. International students and faculty enrich our campus in many ways, but first-person connections to world events have been a recurring story line in 2005. We couldn’t do it without people like Dushani and Prof. Al-Atiyat, without friendships like those between Dean Fritz Erickson and his Pakistani counterpart Bakt Kahn, without the interpersonal relationships that elevate international relations beyond simple business transactions, acts of charity, or matters of national or individual self-interest. Of course, while these few examples illustrate the “import” side of the ledger — citizens of the world coming to Green Bay and extending our global perspective — the “export” side is greater still. |
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