DENTON (UNT), Texas— The University of North Texas will observe Celebrating Great Global Citizens Month in April, for the second consecutive year. 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, the Office of Sustainability and the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

“The purpose of Great Global Citizens month is to promote actions that create lasting change in global communities,” said Nicole Cocco, outreach coordinator of UNT’s Office of Sustainability. “Throughout the month, students will see many events and opportunities on campus that engage people in these conversations, while also highlighting some students who have already proven to be exceptional citizens of the planet."

One of the main events, the Celebrating Great Global Citizens Gala on April 2 (Tuesday), will honor the master’s degree program in international sustainable tourism in the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism.

Eric Norman, who became one of the first graduates of the program in 2012, will attend, along with an official from CATIE, an international higher education, research and development center in Turrialba, Costa Rica, where students in the master’s program study during their second year in the program. 

The gala begins at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of UNT’s Gateway Center, 801 North Texas Blvd.

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

April 8-19 (Monday-Friday) - The International Art Show, which includes art and sculptures from some of UNT’s international students. Union Art Gallery on the third floor of UNT’s University Union, which is located one block west of Welch and West Prairie streets at 1155 Union Circle. The opening reception begins at 3 p.m. April 8 (Monday).

April 9 (Monday) —The International Food Fair, which will feature dishes prepared by UNT’s international students. Food coupons will be sold for 25 cents each. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Baptist Student Ministries on the east side of the University Union.

April 12 (Friday) - University Day and Native Dress and Flag Parade, International students, student athletes and representatives from student organizations will proceed across campus with flags celebrating their home countries. A presentation will be made from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the mall outside the Willis Library.

April 16 (Tuesday) - The Japanese Spring Festival will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Library Mall.

April 18 (Thursday) - The Korean Festival will be held from 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on the Library Mall.

April 22 (Monday) - EarthFest and International Fair and Market. 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. The event will be from 5-8 p.m. on the Library Mall.

April 25 (Thursday) - International Dance Party will be from 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. on the Library Mall.

Kerr, Bruce and Mean Greens Cafeterias will also be serving ethnic foods throughout April, which will include cuisine from Morocco, Cuba, Brazil, Asia and India.  In addition, a series of international films from Germany, Spain and China will be shown throughout the month.

A schedule of events for Celebrating Great Global Citizens Month, and other UNT events in April, is available online.  For more information, contact the Welcome Center at UNT-International at 940-369-8625.