According to Temple’s Faculty Senate for International Programs Committee, globalization is one of the university’s core values.

That’s why the FSIPC created the Global Temple Conference in 2006. The annual day-long event celebrated its 10th year Nov. 18 and was developed to showcase the programs, activities and events on campus that promote the university’s international involvement.

“There was no single way to showcase all of that activity,” said Denise Connerty, assistant vice president for the Office of International Affairs, director of the Education Abroad office and committee member for the FSIPC. “So the [FSIPC] decided to do a one-day conference to showcase all of the activity students and faculty were doing.”

Connerty said about 500 to 600 students, faculty and staff participate in the conference annually, some who recently completed research, studied abroad or have done other types of work internationally.

“Our presenters were international students,” said Mary Conran, professor of marketing and supply chain management at the Fox School of Business and this year’s conference chair.

The conference featured a discussion on “Europe’s Migration Challenge,” from speakers R. Daniel Kelemen, professor of political science, Jean Monnet, Chair in European Union Politics at Rutgers University and Michael Scullin, honorary consul of France in Philadelphia and an adjunct faculty member who teaches international law and cyberlaw.

One of the main points of Kelemen’s presentation was the fact that migration has always been prevalent in Europe.

“This issue isn’t new to Europe,” Kelemen said. “Asylum seekers have always taken place in Europe.”

One purpose of the conference is to show students the importance of international experience.  Students, faculty and staff who have done international work or study presented a paper or poster of their experience at different panels. The conference also includes film presentations from students.

“We get session proposals from students, faculty and staff,” said Srimati Mukherjee, professor of instruction in English. “After we receive the proposals and review them, we determine what papers go with what panels.”

New to this year’s event was the Global Information Fair, which gave exposure to the international opportunities from Temple departments and programs.

Erika Clemons, director of Global Programs at the Office of International Affairs, said she loves to see all the different educational projects and opportunities for students to travel.

Connerty believes this event is very important for students and hopes the conference will allow students to take advantage of international opportunities.

“I think the students who present at the conference inspire their peers to want to study abroad,” Connerty said.

Ashley Caldwell can be reached at ashley.caldwell@temple.edu.