International Education Week focuses on international relations

UB’s annual celebration of International Education Week (IEW) will take place Nov. 12-17, with a keynote event focusing on U.S. foreign and military policy.

The keynote lecture will be presented by Andrew Bacevich, a war veteran, retired U.S. Army colonel and incisive critic of U.S. foreign policy and how we frame war, terrorism, security and “the other” at home. Bacevich will speak on “Washington’s Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War” at 4 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Student Union Theater, North Campus.

In his talk, he will critique the guiding assumptions that lead America’s foreign policy and military strategy — what he calls the “Washington rules.”

Bacevich argues that these rules — that America must always have a massive military capable of rapid engagement and that global stability is dependent on America’s military might — are so entrenched that no elected official or policymaker has been able to alter them.

These rules, he says, have led America to insolvency and perpetual war. He will discuss how the “Washington rules” have shaped history and if these rules can ever be changed.

A 1969 graduate of West Point, Bacevich is professor emeritus of international relations and history at Boston University and a former director of BU’s Center for International Relations.

He also has taught at Johns Hopkins University and at West Point. Bacevich also holds an MA and PhD in American diplomatic history from Princeton University.

He served with the Army during the Vietnam War, and has held posts in Germany and the Persian Gulf.

UB’s International Education Week celebration has been an annual tradition since 2001. Its goal is to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the campus community, provide insightful analysis of issues of critical importance worldwide and highlight the university’s international programs and outreach.

The celebration is particularly relevant at UB. With more than 6,000 international students, the university ranks in the top 25 of 2,700 accredited U.S. universities in international enrollment, according to the Institute of International Education. UB has exchange agreements with more than 80 institutions in more than 30 countries.

Other IEW events this year showcase UB’s international student population and the international efforts of UB faculty and students.

The “World Bazaar,” which celebrates the differences and commonalities of all people, cultures and abilities, will offer a wide range of performances, cuisines and demonstrations.

The “World View: Study Abroad Photo Contest and Exhibition,” a display of photos taken by UB students studying in all corners of the world, shows the wide range of study abroad programs offered at UB.

“An Evening of Chinese Music,” organized by the UB Confucius Institute, will feature vocal and instrumental Chinese music performed by faculty and visiting professors from the Confucius Institutes at Binghamton University and Alfred University.

The annual “Without Borders” lecture series will demonstrate UB’s global reach, with sessions on such topics as the Peace Corps, fellowships and scholarships for international study, and doctors’ health experiences abroad.

And it wouldn’t be International Education Week without the cultural performances and interactive displays by UB student clubs and Buffalo community groups. Activities, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Student Union Lobby, will include Korean Poongmul drumming, traditional Indonesian and Middle Eastern dances, as well as a lion dance and martial arts demonstration.

A full schedule of events is available online.

IEW events at UB are sponsored by AT&T; Bank of America; Late Night UB; SEFCU; T-Mobile; and the UB Asian Studies Program; Confucius Institute; Gender Institute; departments of History, Political Science and Sociology; English Language Institute; Intercultural & Diversity Center; Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Office of International Education; and Study Abroad Programs.