‘World Together’ to host key event

Duke’s “A World Together” initiative will hold its main event Feb. 24-27 during the Alumni Association’s annual Duke in Depth weekend.

“A World Together” is the University’s year-long initiative to showcase Duke’s growing commitments to global development. The program this weekend will address modern worldwide challenges in academic collaboration and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps.

Administrators, students and alumni—including former Peace Corps volunteers—will attend a variety of discussions related to thought-provoking global topics, including hunger, religion and education. The event brings together a diverse group of faculty across several departments and schools, including the Nicholas School of the Environment and the political science and biology departments.

Duke in Depth will bring to campus a variety of distinguished speakers, including Bill Drayton, founder and chief executive officer of Ashoka, a global social entrepreneurship foundation. In his Saturday conversation, “The Ethics of Global Development,” Drayton will be joined by President Richard Brodhead and Blair Sheppard, dean of the Fuqua School of Business.

Ashoka is also hosting its annual TEDx Ashoka U Event, “Universities Driving Global Change” Friday at Duke. The event will host a variety of keynote speakers and provides a forum where students can discuss steps to enhance social entrepreneurship in higher education.

Duke in Depth will also feature live conversations via video chat with alumni stationed in developing countries, which will be moderated by Marco Werman Trinity ’83, host of PRI’s The World. Video interviewees include Alex Fankuchen, Trinity ’10 and English teacher in the Peace Corps in Cape Verde, Carolyn Kent, Trinity ’08 and municipal development adviser in the Peace Corps in Guatemala and Heather Oh, Trinity ’03 and East Africa new business manager of TechnoServe.

Attendees can also walk through a traditional-style “bazaar” Saturday in the Gross Chemistry building’s Energy Hub, which will also feature an exhibit of global student initiatives, such as DukeEngage projects.

The original idea for “A World Together” was developed by faculty and staff members who have volunteered for the Peace Corps. With Duke’s recent increase in international programming, the volunteers decided to combine a Peace Corps alumni reunion with a larger effort to highlight the University’s increasing role in the underdeveloped world.