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World Echoes!. By Krishna Morawala World Echoes. About World Echoes. Founded in 2001 The largest multicultural student organization on campus (over 400 members ) 50% from U.S.
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World Echoes! By Krishna Morawala World Echoes
About World Echoes • Founded in 2001 • The largest multicultural student organization on campus (over 400 members) • 50% from U.S. • 50% from 40 countries, such as Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey and many more. • Recognized student organization – March 2010 • Winner of • Organization of the Year 2011 • Mean Green Unity Organization Award 2011 • Recognized Status Student Organization at UNT 2010 • Mean Green Unity Organization Award 2008 • Distinguished Service Award 2005 • Multicultural Community Outreach Award 2004 • Distinguished Service Award 2003
Mission statement The mission of World Echoes is to provide students at the University of North Texas the opportunity to interact with a variety of cultures further enriching their college experience. This goal is accomplished through a wide range of projects including, but not limited to: cultural and social activities, guest speakers, country and controversial issues presentations, community service, etc. Furthermore, this organization's aim is to increase awareness of global issues preparing students for success in diverse environments.
World Echoes Objectives • promote cultural understanding and learning • bring together citizens of the world from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and religions • strengthen the multicultural community on campus • help eradicate prejudices • provide a forum for students to express controversial issues related to their countries, religions, etc. • periodically inform the entire student community regarding multicultural/ethnic programs at UNT • centralize and communicate in a timely manner information pertaining to student life (i.e. immigration updates, scholarships, job opportunities, etc.) • gather faculty support with the purpose of expanding access to educational resources
Articles Written about World Echoes Holi Celebration 2012 WE Student publishes short story in 'Chicken Soup' 2011 Holi Happiness 2011 A Celebration of Spring, Color 2010 Group represents cultural diversity 2010 UNT celebrates week of foreign cultures, foods2009 Campus culture group responds to 'Slumdog’ 2009 Volunteers educate Argyle 2007 Visiting professor speaks on Iraq 2007 Group welcomes international students 1007 World Echoes Raises Cultural Awareness 2007 Cooking fair brings flavor, culture 2006 World Echoes to host themed parties 2005 World Echoes presents international fashion show 2005 Group brings all international students together 2004 World Echoes to go sailing 2004 World Echoes to hold "Dance Ball" 2003 Religion addressed at speech 2002 NT receives cultural treat 2002 International organization celebrates first year 2002
World Echoes Programs • Presentations on countries, religions, and cultural and controversial issues • Cultural/ethnic events such as festivals and workshops • Foreign movie nights • Sports activities • Professional development events • Social events including dinners, parties, picnics, camping trips • Community service for the campus and the DFW metroplex
What World Echoes Achieves? • Enhance the goals of the university • Diversity • programs & membership • Recruitment • work closely with UNT International • participate in focus groups and helped create the UNT International Alumni Association • helped welcome international advisors to campus • Retention • members participate in international student orientation sessions • provide programs and constant interaction, to integrate students in campus life • no discrimination as we do not espouse any religious affiliation • large support group (Library Study Time) • Excellence • Student leaders (10 WE officers went on to start their new organizations) • Outstanding International Student Award (9 students) • Departmental Outstanding Student Award (5 students) • Mean Green Unity Student Award (1 student) • On and off-campus scholarships (90 students)
Where we fit in? • Our programs focus on the following areas identified by the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan: • Create or enhance innovative programming that address/remove barriers to student success. • Create or enhance programming that better connects students to the institution and/or better engages students through social and outside of the classroom experiences. • Create or enhance collaborative programs or services that place an emphasis on leadership, community service, mentoring, and career services. • Expand programming and/or services to include focus on internationalization, cross-cultural issues, and/or sustainability.
Future Plans Achieve objectives through various weekly activities Promote cultural learning Friendship among different culture Involve more UNT students in WE