Front, center on global stage

With presented topics ranging from outsourcing in India to karaoke in Tokyo, the Global Temple Conference offered students and faculty a chance to examine various cultures of the world. The two-day event, held last Thursday

With presented topics ranging from outsourcing in India to karaoke in Tokyo, the Global Temple Conference offered students and faculty a chance to examine various cultures of the world.

The two-day event, held last Thursday and Friday, included a live concert at Rock Hall, panel discussions on an assortment of topics, poster presentations and artist exhibits.

Denise Connerty, director of international programs, said the conference was held to showcase the breadth of international work that Temple has accomplished.

“We wanted to give people a chance to gain information specific to areas to their own interest,” Connerty said. “Then, we wanted
to bring these different perspectives together.”

According to Connerty, the conference was designed to emphasize three themes: research scholarship, artistic creativity and community service.

Rebecca Lawrence, a senior visual anthropology major, presented a poster at Global Temple describing her experience studying abroad in India, where she researched gender variance issues. Lawrence said she recommends going abroad if the person has an interest in the culture they want to visit.

“It’s a good experience,” Lawrence said.

President Ann Weaver Hart opened the event by describing her family’s experiences with international travel. Hart described her daughter’s trip to Germany during the time the Berlin Wall was deconstructed as life-changing for her entire family. So she offered advice.

“Get a passport and use it,” Hart said.
Lindsey Bingaman, a junior journalism major, attended the conference with one of her classes.

“It’s good that they’re raising awareness to international opportunities,”
said Bingaman, who studied abroad in Greece.

This was the first Global Temple Conference held, but Connerty said that, given the amount of interest it received, it may not be the last.

“We hope it becomes an annual event,” Connerty said. “We want students to see how much broader the world is.”

Vicky Thomas can be reached at victoria.thomas@temple.edu.

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