The week of November 13-17 has been designated as
International Education Week. This event is a joint initiative of the State
Department of the United States and the US Department of Education. The purpose
of the event is to “promote programs that prepare Americans for a global
environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and
exchange experiences.”
This week, Florida Southwestern College in Ft. Myers sponsored
a program featuring noted children’s author Alma Flor Ada. Born I Cuba, Ada
spoke of the importance to” preserve our humanness,” and believed that expressing
yourself in writing was an important part of that goal. She said that diverse
views and opinions must be heard and that “ we need to build bridges, not
walls.”
In a standing room only gathering of students, faculty and
community members, Ada challenged the gathering stating,” Without justice, we
will have no peace.”
Many of those in the room were future teachers and Ms. Ada
told them to never stop reading and to pass that notion along to their future
students.
c.2017 J. Margolis
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