DENTON (UNT), Texas -- For the third consecutive year, the University of North Texas will observe Celebrating Global Citizens Month in April. The university will offer events every week to educate students, faculty, staff and community members about diversity, internationalism and sustainability.

The event is sponsored by UNT-International, UNT Sustainability and the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

One of the month's main events, the Great Global Citizens Gala on April 7 (Monday), will honor outstanding students from UNT-International, UNT Sustainability and Equity and Diversity.

"The purpose of the gala is to raise funds for students interested in pursuing activities that make the world a better place," said Meredith Bard, marketing coordinator for UNT Sustainability. "We also honor students who exude what it means to be a Great Global Citizen."

The gala begins at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of UNT's Gateway Center, 801 North Texas Blvd. Tickets may be reserved by calling 940-369-7297 or sending a message to multicultural@unt.edu.

The annual Native Dress and Flag Parade featuring UNT's international students, and events for University Day, which was first held in 1961 to celebrate UNT becoming a university, will be held on the same day, April 11 (Friday). The parade will start at 11 a.m. outside Sycamore Hall, 307 S. Avenue B, process through campus to the mall area outside UNT's Willis Library, where events for University Day will take place from 11: a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Other events for Celebrating Great Global Citizens Month, which are free unless otherwise indicated, include:

April 1 (Tuesday) - International Food Fair, which will feature dishes prepared by UNT's international students. Food prices vary. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Baptist Student Center, 1132 Union Circle. Access to the building during construction of UNT's new student union is through the back door across from the Union Circle Garage.

April 3 (Thursday) - Saudi Festival will be held from 1-4 p.m. in the mall area outside the Willis Library.

April 9 (Wednesday) - Omani Night will be held from 5-7 p.m. in Room 255 of the Eagle Student Services Center, 1147 Union Circle.

April 12 (Saturday) - Global Interact Picnic will begin at 11 a.m. at North Lakes Park, 2001 W. Windsor Dr., Denton

April 15 (Tuesday) - The Japanese Spring Festival will be held from 2-7 p.m. on the Willis Library mall.

April 17 (Thursday) - International Dance Party will be from 7 –9:30 p.m. on the Willis Library mall.

April 19 (Saturday) - BASANT Kite Festival will be held from 2-6 p.m. at North Lakes Park, Pavilion 3.

April 22 (Tuesday) - EarthFest and International Fair and Market from 4-7 p.m. on the Willis Library mall. Local businesses, nonprofit organizations and public agencies will have booths with information on how to live green on and off campus, and UNT's international students and some vendors will display and sell clothing, decorative items, jewelry and music from different nations.

April 24 (Thursday) - The Korean Festival will be held from 2-7 p.m. on the Willis Library mall.

A complete list of events is online. For more information, contact the Welcome Center at UNT-International at 940-369-8625.