A Roman Catholic priest and political activist in his native Philippines will be the featured guest at Mississippi State for the university's Nov. 15-19 International Education Week observance.
The Rev. Carmelo O. Diola, a professor at the Seminario Mayor De San Carolos in Cebu City, will lead a 10 a.m. public program on the 19th in the John Grisham Room of Mitchell Memorial Library.
Diola is the founder of "Friends of Pedro Foundation," which provides support for Filipinos living abroad. In 2001, he founded Kamatauoran Inc., an organization that works against the influence of narcotics in Philippine politics. Two years later, he founded Citizens for Judicial Independence while fighting the impeachment effort against a Filipino chief justice. Today, it has become a network of organizations known as "Barug! Pilipino" ("Take a Stand, Filipino") advocating good governance.
Diola's visit is a joint effort of MSU and the Starkville Kiwanis Club, which are collaborating to sponsor the area's first International Understanding Lecture. While in the Golden Triangle, he also will participate in a number of other campus and community events.
Additional support for the visit is provided on campus by the MSU Circle K Club, University Honors Program, and departments of political science and philosophy and religion. Community supporters include the Stennis Center for Public Service, World Neighbor's Association and St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
"The exchange of students and scholars is this country's grass roots effort to build mutual understanding and respect between cultures," said Phil Bonfanti, director of MSU's International Services Office.
International Education Week sponsors accepted nominations during the 2004 spring semester, with the student making the successful nomination receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Kiwanis Club, Bonfanti explained.
Diola's nomination was submitted by Zenaida V. Magbanua, a microbiology doctoral student from the Philippines.
"With generous support from the Starkville Kiwanis and MSU Circle K Club, Father Diola will spend a week speaking to a number of student organizations and classes," Bonfanti said.
David May of Starkville, a member of the Kiwanis International Understanding Committee, said Diola's visit supports the Kiwanis motto "We Build."
"The International Understanding Lecture will build the bridge of understanding between nationalities," he said. "Our goal is to build understanding between cultures, and Father Diola's visit is a way the Starkville Kiwanis Club is helping do that."
May said Diola's visit also is designed to encourage student participation in community service through organizations such as Circle K.
For more information about the International Understanding Lecture, telephone (662) 325-8929.
