5X will feature Lisa Shannon, a passionate activist for the safety of women in Congo, as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series for International Education Week on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva. The event is free and open to the public.
Shannon will discuss her efforts to help the women of Congo during her lecture “Do-It-Yourself World Leadership.” The lecture is part of International Education Week at Kent State, which aims to educate students, faculty and community members about the benefits of the international experience.
“When we’re 18 and 19 years old, sometimes we don’t believe we can have an impact,” said Linda Robertson, director of Kent State’s Center for International and Intercultural Education. “Maybe this lecture is the inspiration students need to have that impact.”
Shannon’s story is that of individual strength and dedication as she left a lucrative business and photography career in order to pursue activism. Shannon has now raised more than $11 million dollars to aid the women and children in Congo, and is the author of “A Thousand Sisters: My Journey Into the Worst Place on Earth to be a Woman.”
“I think in this day and age, that with the breakdown of barriers and borders because of social media – and the ways you can talk to anyone all over the world immediately – the power of one is even more important,” Robertson said. “So, the do-it-yourself world leadership idea is really more important to this generation.”
Following the lecture, daily events will celebrate International Education Week through Nov. 21. Kent State students, employees and other community members will have the opportunity to learn about a number of cultural opportunities and traditions. A couple of these events will include “In Search of … Travel the World Without a Passport” on Nov. 19, and participation with various tea and coffee traditions from all over the world on Nov. 20. Public events throughout International Education Week will be held in Room 200 at White Hall, which is located at 150 Terrace Drive in Kent, Ohio.
On Nov. 21, four faculty members from Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services who were Fulbright Specialists last summer will present research they conducted overseas. The Fulbright Scholar Program is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive programs worldwide, providing grant money to study and help increase a mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through an exchange of knowledge and skills. The faculty presentations will start at noon in Room 200 at White Hall. At 2 p.m., students and faculty will learn how to apply to be a Fulbright Scholar.
“When you have that kind of commitment to help others, it’s always motivational and good for our students and our faculty to hear about it,” Robertson said. “That’s a message about caring for others and world peace that we would like to promote.”
For more information about International Education Week, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs/ciie/events.
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Photo Caption:
Lisa Shannon, a passionate activist for the safety of women in Congo, will speak at 5X as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series for International Education Week on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Kiva.
Media Contacts:
Linda Robertson, lfrobert@kent.edu, 330-672-0563
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595