World Affairs Council fundraiser at 21c to promote global education

The Greater Cincinnati World Affairs Council will host its first annual fundraiser for global education with its ONE mind — ONE World — ONE Night event at 21c Museum Hotel Saturday, February 8.
 
Promoting global awareness throughout the Greater Cincinnati community is part of the nonprofit’s mission, so raising awareness about the educational programs it offers is a top priority.
 
The fundraiser itself, which is a cocktail reception, dinner and team-based competition branded as an international challenge where “Jeopardy! meets Where in the World is Carmen San Diego,” is based on a model of one of its high school education programs, called Academic WorldQuest.
 
“It’s a game of global wit,” says executive director Michelle Harpenau. “We’re trying to see which team has the highest global IQ, so everyone attending is a player in the game.”
 
Some of the organization’s other educational offerings include initiatives like Global Classrooms, in which international students from local universities prepare a presentation on their home country, then share it with local elementary schools.
 
Harpenau says the international students love it because it helps them get over their homesickness.
 
“They find that a lot of the time, they do a lot of things on campus but never get to actually go into the community to share their culture and their home,” Harpenau says. “And the grade school students are so excited to meet someone from abroad firsthand and have that international experience.” 

Do Good:

• Support the GCWAC by purchasing a ticket to ONE Mind — ONE World — ONE Night.

• Support the GCWAC by becoming a member.

• Like the GCWAC on Facebook, keep up with events, and choose one to attend. 

By Brittany York
Brittany York is a professor of English composition at the University of Cincinnati and a project manager for Charitable Words. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.