International Education Week
Passport Festival, November 16
Tables representing several countries around the world shared with NVC students information on different cultures, costumes, language and food during International Education Week. Some of the countries represented included China, Japan, Czech Republic, India, France and Togo. Everybody had an awesome time with all the actitivities like Chinese and Japanese writing as well as trying out different clothing attires.
Students faculty and staff including our own Migdalia Garcia, Brenya Tmuwasi and Carlos López from the Peace and Conflict Studies Program pose in Chinese, Japanese and African costumes.
International Parade of Flags, November 14
NVC students march through campus holding flags from around the world showing the value of diversity and working together during International Education Week!
Becky Hoag, Educational Director San Antonio Holocaust Museum: “Lessons from the Holocaust”, November 14
As part of our series on raising awareness about genocide, Becky Hoag, from the San Antonio Holocaust Museum gave a presentation to students and faculty about the history and lessons of the Holocaust. One of the major points she made was how prejudices and stereotypes we hold can give rise to discrimination and dehumanization from bullying to outright racism. After her presentation, students were able to participate in a question/answer session. One of the questions asked was whether the US should be the “police” of the world during humanitarian crises; the response: in cases like this, shouldn’t intervention be the “right thing”to do because if we don’t then genocides like the Holocaust in WWII or Rwanda would continue to take place? Ms Hoag, also addressed this point by stating that there are 3 kinds of people during these situations: “perpetrators of the crime”; “by-standers who do nothing and allow it to continue”; and “rescuers”---- who are we going to be? Around 100 students attended this presentation.
Dottie Laster: “Human Trafficking” March 8
As part of International Women’s Month, the Peace and Conflict Studies program in collaboration with International and Mexican American Studies hosted Dottie Laster, head of Laster Global Consulting raising awareness and rescuing victims of Human Trafficking. One major points brought up by Mrs. Laster was that anyone can become a victim of Human Trafficking and most victims are young women lured with the prospects of a good job and a better life.
Mrs. Later was trained by the Department of Justice to train law enforcement on issues of human trafficking and has also participated in victim rescues. She has also served as a consultant with other organizations on human trafficking issues. Mrs. Laster gave three presentations to full crowds reaching between 450-500 students. Several disciplines participated in this event including History, Speech, Spanish, German, Humanities, Psychology, Sociology and Geography.
Mrs. Later was trained by the Department of Justice to train law enforcement on issues of human trafficking and has also participated in victim rescues. She has also served as a consultant with other organizations on human trafficking issues. Mrs. Laster gave three presentations to full crowds reaching between 450-500 students. Several disciplines participated in this event including History, Speech, Spanish, German, Humanities, Psychology, Sociology and Geography.