This international conference will discuss the various forms of protest in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, with a particular focus on forms of protest in art and media. All forums will take place in the Humanities Center, followed by a screening of The Accidental President (dir. Mike Lerner and Martin Herring, 2024) in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium.
Week of April 20, 2025 in UCIS
Monday, April 21
Join us for the international conference “Protest and Dissent: Cultural and Political Resistance in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine” on April 21, 2025, at the Humanities Center, the University of Pittsburgh, with a Zoom option available. The program features leading scholars from Bard College, Brown University, Fordham University, Indiana University Bloomington, University of California Santa Barbara, University of Pittsburgh, and Yale University. This event brings together scholars and community members to explore how culture shapes resistance across borders.
The conference will conclude with a screening of The Accidental President (Mike Lerner, Martin Herring, 2024), a powerful documentary about the personal and political journey of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the president-elect of Belarus. Join us on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. for the film, followed by a virtual discussion with the filmmakers, with an introduction and Q&A moderated by Andrei Kureichyk (Yale University).
Stop by the Global Hub to meet students from Pitt's English Language Institute as the Pitt community wraps up the academic year in the Global Hub together!
Tuesday, April 22
Attention: Undergraduate students! Are you looking to gain experience that will help prepare you for a globally-connected job market? Stop by Drop-In Hours to learn more about getting the Global Distinction added to your academic transcript, receiving special recognition at graduation, and standing out to prospective employers!
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during Spring semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Spring 2025, EXCEPT on January 22, February 5, March 4, and March 5.
Wednesday, April 23
Join the French Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during Spring semester for conversational meetings and to practice French speaking and listening skills and create a francophone community on campus!
The French Club will meet twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during Spring 2025, EXCEPT on January 22, February 5, March 4, and March 5.
Thursday, April 24
Join the Global Studies Center’s PiNTS (Pittsburgh Network for Threatened Scholars) Haifa Subay for a distinctive collaborative art initiative! We invite you to contribute to the creation of the "Threads of Us" mural — a collective artistic endeavor that explores themes of diversity, cultural expression, and shared humanity. This mural serves as a visual representation of how individual identities are interconnected, highlighting the global interdependence that binds us together while celebrating the richness of our unique backgrounds. Through this project, we aim to foster an inclusive environment that reflects the values of unity and mutual respect within the broader context of global studies.
To participate, select an open space on the canvas and express yourself through art. You can contribute a symbol that represents your identity or cultural heritage; write a word in your native language that embodies hope, love, or belonging; create a shape, color pattern, or abstract design that reflects your personal feelings or experiences; or simply let the colors flow — your unique touch is what makes this mural special. All materials, including paints, brushes, and colored pens, will be provided. We encourage you to embrace your creativity and add to this shared visual expression. Every contribution, no matter how small, is a vital part of this collective artwork.
Please Note: We ask participants to refrain from using national flags or political symbols. This mural is designed to be a safe, inclusive space for individuals of all backgrounds.
This reading group for K-16 educators explores literary texts from a global perspective. Content specialists present the work and its context, and participants brainstorm innovative pedagogical practices for incorporating the text and its themes into the curriculum. The Session 3 book is City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie Anderson.
Friday, April 25
The Center for African Studies (CAS), in collaboration with five other Title VI centers under the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), coordinated a dynamic in-school workshop program for 187 students at Environmental Charter High School. Themed “Global Perspectives: Exploring Traditions, Celebrations, and Cultural Understanding,” the event featured five interactive, concurrent sessions, each offered twice to allow students to engage with multiple cultural experiences.
The Center for African Studies led an immersive session on African languages, culture, music, and dance. Students learned greetings in various African languages, explored cultural traditions, and participated in vibrant African dance activities. The session encouraged cultural pride, active participation, and a deeper appreciation for Africa’s rich heritage.
Swahili Level 2 students: Join Swahili instructor Faraja Ngogo on Fridays at 4-5 pm in the Global Hub to practice Swahili.
Join Addverse, a transcultural, multilingual, and intergenerational poetry organization, for weekly meetings in the Global Hub.
Addverse will meet weekly, on Fridays, during Spring 2025, EXCEPT on January 24 and March 7.