CUSPA Laboratory

Perspectives on Human Health in Global Societies
March 31, 2011
It is health that is real wealth not pieces of gold and silver–Mahatma Gandhi

Promotion of health welfare among all human populations is an important goal of nation-states worldwide. However apparent unsettling global economies and dramatic changes in climate, along with advances in technology, have spiked transnational and rural-urban movement of human populations, producing serious threats to health welfare such as the spread of infectious diseases and the increase of non-communicable diseases. Human health is a multi-faceted phenomenon, necessitating a diversity of scholars to address the gamut of problems associated with health and culture, ethics in human research, and lifestyles in global environments. Increasing evidence of chronic diseases and related health risks among middle-aged as well as infection and malnutrition among the very young (Wall, 2007) are among the major areas needing research attention. This year’s forum brings scholars from across the University of Georgia, primarily from the School of Law, College of Education, College of Public Health, and College of Family and Consumer Sciences to address these emerging issues influencing human populations of all ages from across the globe. These scholars, who conduct their research and teaching activities within and beyond the United States, will discuss outcomes of their research investigations and posit considerations for future direction in research, curriculum, and public policy.

Will, S. (2007). Globalization makes new demands on public health research. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 35 (449-453).

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Purposes of the Forum:

• Enhance cross-cultural understanding of human health in context of global societies
• Provide faculty and students opportunities to dialogue on issues associated with their research, teaching or service activities
• Offer campus-wide faculty, students, guests, and visitors a forum to dialogue on globalization and health

Call for Abstracts

Submission Information:

Student poster presentations focus on global studies or service-based activities. Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words (and include the title, and presenter’s name and the Department affiliation).

Click here for Poster Specifics.

• Abstracts Reviewers: TBD
• Deadline for the submission of abstracts: Monday, March 21, 2011
• Notification date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
• Where to send abstracts:

Submit abstracts and any questions to the program chair, Rose Chepyator-Thomson, at jchepyat@uga.edu

• When: Thursday, March 31, 2011
• Registration: Free On-Site Registration for all campus-wide faculty and staff, students, guests, and visitors
• Where: Tate Student Center, Grand Hall-A, B, & C

Click to download faculty Presentations

Program

Program Director
Rose Chepyator-Thomson, Professor, Kinesiology.

Mission

The Global Educational Forum (GEF) contextualizes UGA’s curriculum within global perspectives through faculty and student presentations related to research, teaching, and service learning. The forum brings together a wide cross-section of faculty at the University of Georgia to discuss their research and teaching efforts toward cross-cultural understanding and participation in global contexts, and students share their study abroad and service learning experiences.

Chief Advisors:

Dr. Kavita Pandit, Associate Provost, Office of International Education; Dr. Cheryl Dozier, Associate Provost, Office of Institutional Diversity; Dr. Ron Cervero, Associate Dean for Public Service and Outreach, College of Education.

Members of the Advisory Committee

Rose Chepyator-Thomson, Chair (Kinesiology); Rene Bobe (Anthropology); Michelle Commeyras (Language and Literacy Education); Billy Hawkins (Kinesiology); William Kisaalita (Biological & Agricultural Engineering); Diane Napier (Workforce Education, Leadership, & Social Foundations); John Mativo (Workforce Education, Leadership, & Social Foundations).

History

The UGA Global Educational Program, founded and directed by COE Kinesiology Professor Rose Chepyator-Thomson, focuses on internationalizing the campus through the involvement of provosts, directors, deans, faculty and students. Started in 2007, the program involves the entire campus community, including colleges, departments, and study abroad programs that cover the entire globe (Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Oceana, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean). The program highlights UGA scholars involved in global-based research and study abroad participants engaged in a variety of research studies that impact their education and career plans. The program demonstrates the nature and impact on The University of Georgia’s teaching, research, and service missions.

Participant Testimonials (2000-2010):

“The program was very organized and was very convenient. The session started and ended on time, which made it easier on students who had classes throughout the day.  Once again, this was a great opportunity and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the topic” (2010)

“The Global Educational Forum was an eye opening experience to some of us that attended. I have never been out of the country.  I have never been a good friend with an international student.  So I have very little insight or knowledge about the world outside the United States. I think, unfortunately, that many Americans have the same problem. We, as a nation, are stuck inside our little box.  The Global Educational Forum was meant to challenge those walls and break them down so that we might be able to experience culture outside our own” (2010)

“I realize during these presentations that diversity is part of the educational experience a the university level. The opportunities that college students have to experience diversity is unlike any other time in their lives and more of these students should participate” (2010)

‘The Global Forum was a very intriguing event because it allowed me to look at diversity and the importance of educating others about how our culture plays a huge role in who we are today” (2010)

” This forum was a great opportunity to gather information about expanding your cultural background and the understanding of cross-cultural involvement. The speakers were great and very influential, especially for young people to take advantage of what The University of Georgia has to offer” (2010)

The following quotations summarize the Global Educational Forum’s impact on the university community:
“This is an outstanding three-day dialogue on culture, research and teaching and I hope that this signals a broader cross-campus connection that brings together people to exchange ideas and to learn new information about education and cultures in global environments” (2007).

“This is an excellent three-day program initiated from our Department. Made possible through financial support given to get this program from the Dean, who has been extremely supportive of faculty initiatives” (2007).

“Even if not for purely educational purpose, it is intriguing to learn about cultural issues, especially from some one who has experienced it first-hand” (2007).”

“My experience at this forum was both informative and one of nostalgia. I believe that an important aspect of gaining knowledge stems from the interaction with others from culturally diverse backgrounds. From study abroad opportunities to local events, educators should be exposed to different cultural perspectives as a way of preparing for the classroom. For those having the opportunity to study abroad, it provides a structured forum to share experiences and encourage others. As an international student and being able to identify and appreciate global diversity placed me at an advantage. This Forum presented a rare opportunity for me to gain some knowledge on different cultural perspectives from around the world. Indigenous foods, beliefs and norms to educational formats created a nostalgic realization on the importance and need for such forums in the near future” (2007).”

“Putting together an educational forum that invites scholars from the University campus and all over the world to present information about their lives and their studies is a monumental task. It was educational experience for me. I enjoyed Dr. Lee’s comments about how America has had a tendency to turn back on the rest of the world and it is up to universities and scholars to lead the way to change” (2008).

“As the classroom continues to diversify itself, educators and administrators now have the added task of adjusting to, implementing and evaluating curricula for a broader spectrum of students. A good starting point would be to expose future educators to multicultural events as a means of preparing for diversification within the classroom. This measure can be achieved at institutions of higher learning by making available cultural educational forums that bring different perspectives to the discipline of teaching. One such forum took place at the University of Georgia” (2008).”

“I wanted to congratulate you on the Globalization and Education conference. I was very impressed with the speakers I got to hear. As I mentioned, you might consider doing pod casts or even videos to post on UGA website another year…I think speakers would appreciate having their talks available on the UGA website for anyone in the world to view and learn from” (2009).

“The food was amazing. The talks were interesting. I even got a prize out of it! Can’t wait to check out next year’s Forum” (2009).

“Thank you so much for organizing this conference. I enjoyed the talks that I went to, and I wish my class schedule had permitted me to attend more. I also enjoyed the experience of making a poster presentation. I am looking forward to next year’s conference! Let me know if you need any help”(2009).

Sponsors:

The President’s Venture Fund
African Studies Institute
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute
Dean’s Office, College of Education
Dean’s Office, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Kinesiology
Institute for African American Studies
Institute for Women’s Studies
Office of Institutional Diversity
Office of International Education

Please email questions to Rose Chepyator-Thomson at jchepyat@uga.edu.