DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas will celebrate Global Citizens Month for the fourth consecutive year in April. Throughout the month UNT will offer events to educate students, faculty, staff and community members about diversity, internationalism and sustainability.

"We want the students at UNT to have a bigger world-view and to become global citizens," said Olga Grieco, director of UNT's International Welcome Center.

The Welcome Center is part of the UNT-International office, which is one of the sponsors for the month's events. Other sponsors are the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, UNT Sustainability office, Student Activities, Student Affairs, UNT Dining Services and the College of Music.

The annual Native Dress and Flag Parade, which will feature UNT's international students representing around 75 countries, will be held April 17 (Friday) as part of University Day. University Day was first held to celebrate UNT becoming a university in 1961 but has expanded to celebrate the university's history and the important role that faculty and staff have in shaping the university.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. in front of Sycamore Hall, 307 S. Avenue B, and will proceed throughout campus to the mall in front of Willis Library, 1506 W. Highland St. The UNT African Percussion Ensemble will lead the parade. The events for University Day 2015 will take place on the Library Mall after the parade has ended and they will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

Other events scheduled to celebrate Global Citizens Month, which are free unless otherwise indicated, include:

• April 6-14 – International Animation Film Festival will be part of Global Citizens month for the first time ever this year. Screenings will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. in Room 107 and 107 A of the Language Building, 108 Avenue A. The program for the festival can be found here.
• April 7 (Tuesday) – International Food Fair, which will feature dishes prepared by UNT's international students. Food prices vary. The event will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Denton Wesley Foundation's United Methodist Center, 1501 Maple St.
• April 8 (Wednesday) – Omani Night, where students will be able to enjoy music and food from Oman, will be held from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in Room 255 of the Eagle Student Services Center, 1147 Union Circle.
• April 11 (Saturday) – BASANT Kite Festival, a Pakistani celebration of the start of spring, will be held from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. in Pavilion 3 at North Lakes Park, 2001 W. Windsor Dr. The festival is sponsored by the Pakistani Student Association at UNT.
• April 14 (Tuesday) – Global Grounds Café: Iran will be held from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the Forum on the first floor of Willis Library.
• April 15 (Wednesday) – Global Rhythms, a concert that will feature various ethnic percussion ensembles, will be held at 8 p.m. in Voertman Hall, 415 S. Avenue C. Tickets are free for students; $8 for senior citizens 55 and older, non-UNT students, children, UNT faculty/staff/retirees and groups of 10 or more; and $10 for adults.
• April 19 (Sunday) – Afro-Cuban/Brazilian/Latin Jazz Ensembles will perform at 6:30 p.m. in Voertman Hall.
• April 21 (Tuesday) – Japanese Spring Festival will be held from 2 – 7 p.m. on the Library Mall.
• April 22 (Wednesday) – EarthFest and International Fair and Market will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on the Library Mall. Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and public agencies will have exhibits on how to live sustainably, and UNT's international students and certain vendors will have clothing, decorative items, jewelry and music from different nations on sale.
• April 28 (Tuesday) – Korean Culture Festival will be held from 3 – 7:30 p.m. on the Library Mall.
• April 29 (Wednesday) – Global Grounds Café: Italy will be held from 3 – 4:30 p.m. in the Forum on the first floor of Willis Library.

For more information, visit the UNT-International website or call 940-565-2197.