EIJP - Emerging International Journalists Program

An exchange between Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Dr. Richard Hodges, President of the American University of Rome and former Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, resulted in an intensive effort to gain international recognition of Philadelphia’s historical contributions to the world. Nutter visited the Penn Museum and Hodges, then Director, mentioned the World Heritage Cities Programme. The mayor took notice. 

GlobalPhilly 2013 will present "Advocacy," as one of seven dimensions that make the Philadelphia region global (the others being Arts, Commerce, Cuisine, Education, Heritage, and Sports). This category of the exposition is reserved for GP13 events that focus on promoting dialogue about a host of issues affecting humanity worldwide, and how Philadelphians fit into the international discourse. GPA News contributor Dominique Johnson profiles a few of the embodiments of Advocacy that will occur during GlobalPhilly 2013.

Linguistic abilities and cross-cultural sensitivities are skills sometimes overlooked in higher education management and business programs. In 1983, the Lauder family of Estée Lauder Companies decided to address this by establishing the Joseph H. Lauder Institute in the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. A dual-degree and intensive language program prepares students for careers in international business. Director of the Lauder Institute Mauro F. Guillén spoke with GPA staff member, Kait Lavinder, about the importance of global awareness, his experiences as a native of Spain, and how Philadelphia can capitalize on its rich cultural history.

This November, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will present the largest collection of Lithuanian crafts and design ever in the United States. It is no coincidence that this and several other Lithuanian cultural events are coming to Philadelphia in the fall. This Northern European nation and largest of the three Baltic states assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2013, and Philadelphia is helping to celebrate.

The Philadelphia Carnival, which occurred in Fairmount Park on Father’s Day Weekend of June 15th, artistically celebrated Caribbean culture, and served as a platform to teach Philadelphians about this culture through showcasing artful expressions, including music, dancing, and costume.

“Come See About Me: The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection" is going on now though August 18th at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Designed by Mary Wilson, an original member of the Supremes, the exhibit will showcase the group’s stunning gowns which draw inspiration from all over the world, including pieces channeling Parisian, Japanese, and Caribbean influences.

Chinatown Learning Center was founded 20 years ago by Carol S. Wong, M.Ed. Wong and the first teacher hired to work at the center, Mrs. Chan, have been teaching preschoolers and school age children Chinese and English since February 1993. Wong’s official title is Director of Chinatown Learning Center. I attended the preschoolers’ end of the year celebration where the children performed songs and received their certificates. After the ceremony, Wong and I sat down to talk about the center and Philadelphia’s immigrant community.

Language shares a profound and complex connection with translation. Throughout the book, Found in Translation: How Language Shapes Our Lives and Transforms the World, authors Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche do an incredible job illustrating this connection. Kelly and Zetzsche, both translators themselves, focus their attention upon the intellectual and practical difficulties of translating and interpreting, and the related realm of nuanced differences between written and spoken translation.

On May 15, Dr. David Brownlee presented a lecture entitled, "Philadelphia, the Museum City," at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Brownlee, the Frances Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer Professor in the History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania, beautifully dissected the history of some of the city's many significant museums. The term “Museum City” serves as an effective reminder of the City of Brotherly Love's cultural prestige. As if being the birthplace of modern democracy wasn't enough, Philadelphia is also the birthplace of the modern museum.