This fall’s International Education Week (IEW) will feature a wide range of events and activities, including a conference focused on the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2018 IEW celebration at Ohio University will be held Nov. 11-18, with the International Dinner kicking off the week on Sunday, Nov. 11, in the Baker University Center Ballroom. This event, hosted by the International Student Union, will feature international food, music and performances, and is always very popular with the campus and the community.

The Global Engagement Awards Gala, which will recognize faculty, staff and alumni for their outstanding achievements in global engagement, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 in the Baker University Center Ballroom. A faculty member from Japan’s Chubu University, one of OHIO’s historic partners, is also honored each year during this gala. This year will feature a new award that honors individuals or organizations from the community. Everyone attending the Gala is asked to RSVP to globalaffars@ohio.edu. Additional information about the Global Engagement Awards Gala will be posted on the IEW website.

On Nov. 14 and 15, the Center for International Studies will host the “United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Higher Education” conference. The aim of the conference is to critically evaluate the intentionality, viability and actualization of the SDGs, and to stimulate the articulation of research questions and curricular opportunities.

The conference will also discuss the role of higher education to advance scholarship around the various dimensions of the SDGs. The conference looks to prepare the next generation of citizens with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to confidently and competently approach global development, including the viability of the SDGs and their universal cooperative approach for humanity’s sustainability.

The conference will feature faculty, community, and student panel discussions and presentations, a student research expo and keynote speeches by the following individuals:

• Dr. Cheikh Mbow: "Chances and Challenges of Sustainability Science for Africa's Development.” Dr. Mbow is the executive director of START International, an organization that provides opportunities for training, research, education and networking that strengthen scientific skills and inspire leadership for advancing solutions to critical sustainability challenges.
• Erin Huber: "Sustainable Development - Building the Foundation to a Future for Everyone." Huber is a social entrepreneur and is the executive director and founder of Drink Local, an organization dedicated to inspiring individuals to recognize and solve our water issues through creative education, events and providing safe water access to people in need. Erin has an 18 year history of civic engagement, project management, working with youth, mentoring, leadership, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and academic accomplishments proven by an extensive list of awards and honors, including being voted Best Activist  by Cleveland Scene Magazine in 2017. Huber is the executive producer of the 2014 documentary, “Making Waves,“ and advocates for safe water through speaking engagements domestically and by designing and building safe water projects globally in east Africa. Her mission is to improve water equity and equality.

The 2018 IEW will also feature the annual Office of Global Opportunities IEW Photo Contest and display, along with several additional events. Faculty and staff who would like to host an event during the November celebration still have time to add their events to the schedule, and they are asked to submit their events at this website.

In addition, graduate students who wish to be involved in IEW can learn more about this year’s events at the Tuesday, Sept. 25 Grad Connect event.

All faculty, staff, students, alumni and area residents are invited to the IEW events. Additional information about the week will be announced later in the fall semester and will also be placed on the IEW website.