| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC July 11, 2002 International Deaf Artists and Community Leaders Participate in Deafway II ConferenceThe U.S Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, funded nine deaf artists and community leaders from Albania, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey to participate in the Deafway II conference July 8-13, 2002 in Washington, DC. Organized by Gallaudet University, the conference brings together 9,000 participants from around the world to Washington, DC to share and celebrate the experiences of the global deaf community. The participants will focus on the language, culture, history, and art of deaf and hard of hearing people. "The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs encourages the involvement of American and international participants from traditionally underrepresented groups in all our programs. By providing the support needed to bring these talented individuals to the Washington conference we are demonstrating our commitment to include the deaf as part of the broad spectrum of global citizens who need to share their cultures and educate one another as we build mutual understanding," said Patricia S. Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Conference activities include a host of scholarly discussions, exhibitions, technological demonstrations and cultural events for participants. These events include a cultural arts festival, as well as extensive outreach to the general public. U.S. Department of State funded visitors return home with the knowledge, skills and enhanced understanding they acquired at the conference to share with all sectors of their national communities. For more information about the conference, please visit www.deafway.org. Media contact: Nicole Deaner, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 202/203-7613; ndeaner@pd.state.gov |
