New Bridges Forum will provide monthly dialogue starting on and about Sept. 11

John Li, a senior in physics from Singapore, realizes most types of cultural displays can create a bridge between international and American students.

“Traditionally, the International Student Council has different activities, but they are biased to cultural and social activities, such as the International Food Fest,” Li said. “I am not saying that these cultural activities are not educational, but we need to emphasize that we are in a institution of learning; academics are the most important thing, and there can be cultural exchange through learning and education.”

But Li and other members of the International Student Council decided alongside social activities, academic and intellectual dialogues about culture should exist.

Li and ISC have developed “Bridges,” a monthly forum, to establish open dialogue about a world topic, which will begin on Sept. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Student Center Ballroom A.

Typically, the forum is designed for all students and faculty to meet the first Tuesday of every month as a “brown bag lunch” event, according Ana Velitchkova, president of International Student Council.

Velitchkova said future topics may include poverty, world hunger, health and AIDS, but those forums will depend on how the special Sept. 11 “Bridges” workshop Wednesday unveils.

The ISC president said when brainstorming over the summer with Li, the coordinator of the “Bridges” program, and others, she recalled how the United Nations had team workshops for Sept. 11. Those included all representatives from around the world discussing the world’s problems and concerns with politics, mass media and religion among others.

Velitchkova said the importance of “Bridges” program not only incorporates the importance of discussing the issues of Sept. 11 with other students, but also how all of the University community can create solutions.

“We need to ask, ‘how can we live in a world where everybody is satisfied by the conditions?'” she said.

The Sept. 11 “Bridges” will last two hours, starting with a 15- minute reception and informal dialogue among faculty, students and guests.

Following general introductions, faculty and graduate students will present specific topics they will discuss in regards to their area of expertise. Those presenters will lead small teams of audience members in discussion of each topic as mediators.

After each group has open dialogue about issues concerning Sept. 11 such as religion, politics, mass media, security and others, the audience will reconvene to discuss their solutions and personal conversations.

Ed Schatz, assistant professor in political science, will take part in the Sept. 11 “Bridges” as a mediator and leader for a political discussion group.

He said he believes the forum is not only important to personalize the anniversary, but also to reconnect students and faculty to the impact Sept. 11 will continue to have on daily lives.

“After awhile and over the past year, it becomes abstract; it becomes distant,” Schatz said. “International Student Council is interested in building a bridge between the international community and non-international, American-born community.

“We do not have much contact with things international here, and something like Sept. 11 can drive a wedge between us and the international community, or bring us closer together.”

Li hopes this forum will provide further insight for all local people about Sept. 11, but he hopes the increased international interest will carry over into future “Bridges.”

“On Wednesday’s event, I hope people come with an open mind,” Li said. “It is part of the University events, but it is not focusing on Sept. 11 – but rather focusing on how as a world people come together to bridge our differences in such an international tragedy.”

Reporter Samantha Edmondson can be reached [email protected]