Campus and Community Events

Buddhist monks creating a sand Mandala at during the Dalai Lama's visit to UB.

The Global Interest Group actively promotes the engagement of the UBSSW in the Buffalo-Niagara community in exploring global topics and discovering ways to work collaboratively on social issues.

Annual Symposium

The annual symposium sponsored by the UB School of Social Work seeks to raise awareness of global issues within the school and larger community. The symposium includes a film screening accompanied by an expert presenter followed by a group discussion.

Guest Speakers Melanie Sage and Jaynie Parrish with Dean Nancy Smyth and Hilary Weaver DSW at the 2017 Annual Symposium: Indigenous Women: Human Rights Protection and Activism

Read about this event

UB Spectrum's article about the 2015 Symposium on Syrian Refugees

UB Reporter's article about the 2015 Symposium on Syrian Refugees

Community Conversations

Community Conversations is a series of discussions that touch on social themes relevant in today's society. The goal of Community Conversations is to bring community members, service providers, local leaders, and the UBSSW together to talk about these themes though the various perspectives that are brought to the table and to find ways to work together going forward.

Community Conversations have touched on a variety of topics in the past including income inequality and race. Conversation topics are typically held at a time and location convenient for community members residing in the city of Buffalo.

Professors and students engage in community conversations series.

Professors, students, and community members engage in community conversation: Shaping the Dialogue on Migration, Immigration, and Global Mobility

International Education Week

International Education Week (IEW) is sponsored by UB International Student and Scholars Services. IEW aims to share the richness of other cultures, expose members of the UB and Buffalo communities to the diverse perspectives of those cultures and, hopefully, increase community members’ cross-cultural awareness, curiosity and knowledge. IEW is celebrated at UB through performances, lectures, presentations, films, displays and exhibitions

The UBSSW representatives present their globally relevant research and activities. Previous presentations include topics such as "Children's Rights in India: A View from the Field," "Expanding Our Horizons: Responding to Foreign-born Students in Social Work,” and “Promoting Social Justice through Collaborative Online International Learning.”

International Film Event

This annual film event includes the presentation of one or more documentary films on a global issue along with a presentation by an expert on the topic who is able to provide the audience with an understanding of why the issue is locally relevant.

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is an annual event held locally in recognization of the UN sponsored World Refugee Day. This celebration was initiated by the UBSSW and is designed to welcome and empower newcomers, build community, increase public awareness of newcomer contributions and cultures and highlight newcomer successes. This event is supported by and affiliated with many organizations and communities throughout Buffalo.