Center for Engaged Learning Abroad--Belize, info session

The Department of Sociology & Anthropology and the Conable Chair in International Studies welcome Dr. Filiberto Penados, the Director for Engaged Learning and Indigenous Studies Professor at CELA-Belize and the founding director of Tumul K’in, a Maya organization in southern Belize that promotes sustainable development through indigenous knowledge.On Monday, Oct. 17, from 12-2pm (in EAS-3159), Dr. Penados will host an informational session (open house, drop-in style) about CELA-Belize (Center for Engaged Learning Abroad), which offers study abroad classes throughout the year, with a focus on sustainable development, environmental science, tropical ecology, and anthropology. In addition to coursework, students gain cultural immersion and can participate in community development projects. Belize is an English-speaking country, so monolingual English speakers can travel there quite easily, but Spanish is the first language of most people in western Belize, so students can practice that, as well. (Or study one of the four Mayan languages or Garifuna!) More info: www.celabelize.com.In addition, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 9:30-10:30am, Dr. Penados will give a talk on “Indigenous Resurgence and Revitalization in Belize” in GLE-2139. The southern Maya of Belize recently won a major land claims case, an important redress of British colonial lands policies, and were recognized with the 2015 Equator Prize. Dr. Penados will speak about southern Maya activism and its implications for our understanding of political pluralism and sustainable development.For sign-language interpreting, please make your request at myaccess.rit.edu. Both events are free and open to the public.