EIJP - Emerging International Journalists Program

“Whatever they may do, authors do not write books. Books are not written at all. They are manufactured by scribes and other artisans, by mechanics and other engineers, and by printing presses and other machines.” Roger E. Stoddard as quoted by Roger Chartier in The New Cultural History. 

Philadelphia’s University of the Arts (UArts) was selected to curate a special exhibition for the eighth Beijing International Art Biennale (BIAB), held from August 30 to September 23 at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. As one of six total exhibitions, UArts is the only representative from the United States and its exhibit will mark the first time the U.S. is highlighted at the BIAB in this fashion.

As fireworks and festivities united the Philadelphia community on the Fourth of July, Global Philadelphia Association (GPA) partnered with Wawa Welcome America throughout the week to promote the city’s status as a World Heritage City. Here’s a recap of our young journalists’ favorite events from the weeklong celebration:  Historic District Block Party

Located at the heart of Center City Philadelphia, Friends Select School is home to the Student Committee for Extra-Curricular Education (SCECE), which was founded with the goal of helping students graduate with a greater appreciation for both the Philadelphia and international community, as well as the cultures and events that impact it. Through this program, rising senior Sophie Gilbert and I wanted to create a space for students to not just discuss what’s covered in our school’s curriculum but to explore their interests and have globally-minded conversations.

The Select Greater Philadelphia Council hosted its fourth annual Breaking Ground program on June 12, 2019, to showcase the innovative development projects popping up across the Greater Philadelphia region. Hosted at the University of the Sciences, the event specifically highlighted upcoming projects in Trenton, New Jersey; Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Claymont, Delaware; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

For months, Philadelphians have been left wondering about the giant "golf ball" looking structure on the second floor of Comcast's new office location at 18th and Arch Streets. Reminiscent of the pearlescent Spaceship Earth globe in Disney’s Epcot, Comcast finally debuted the three-story installation on May 20, 2019, as the Universal Sphere, an immersive theater installation.

Forty years ago, in October 1979, Independence Hall became a UNESCO World Heritage site, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the Greater Philadelphia region. With this designation, tourism and visits to historic Philadelphia and Independence Hall have skyrocketed and had a record number of visitors in 1987 with the Centennial Celebration of the establishment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Philadelphia Orchestra has embarked on its 12th tour of China on May 16, 2019, where they will culturally foster meaningful people-to-people exchange through music. The Orchestra will travel to five major Chinese cities over the course of 12 days, with the conclusion of the tour coinciding with the 40th anniversary of official U.S.-Chinese diplomatic relations.