5 October 2017 – World Experiences Foundation (WEF) is a United States (Oklahoma)-based international nonprofit organization with a vision to promote global citizenship in schools and communities worldwide. WEF achieves its community goals through its six programs that provide unique opportunities for children to preview their misconceptions about other cultures, dispel any stereotypes and treat everyone the same. WEF follows and centers its educational programs on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Foundation's Global Connect program allows educators to use Skype, Google Hangout and other virtual platforms to connect their students with classrooms and professionals worldwide. Its International Day program allows international students from Oklahoma and Texas colleges and universities to participate in meaningful service-learning educating children and citizens about different cultures and countries. The Global Ambassadors Leadership Institute selects fifty high school and college students annually and trains them to become global citizens. WEF's international service-learning trips take high school and college students and professionals to countries worldwide. The multicultural resource center allows Pre K-12 and university educators to access hundreds of standards-based multicultural and global lessons. The Foundation's Annual Global Citizen Awards Gala celebrates individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact on global citizenship and giving.
On 9 September 2017, WEF celebrated its Annual Global Citizen Awards Gala during an evening of multicultural experience in Oklahoma City. In the presence of some 350 global citizens, various community members were acknowledged for their ongoing contribution to make societal inclusion, multiculturalism, pluralism and multilingualism a reality for all. Former Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, United States Ambassador (ret.) Edwin Corr and University of Oklahoma Dean Suzette Grillot chaired the gala. Ramu Damodaran, Chief, United Nations Academic Impact Initiative and Deputy Director for Partnerships and Public Engagement in the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Public Information, delivered the keynote address.
The evening's entertainment showcased a variety of special cultural performances from around the world. Guests had the opportunity of participating in a silent auction with all proceeds benefitting World Experiences Foundation's global education programs in Oklahoma and abroad. The Foundation honored Governor Bill Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation, with its Lifetime Achievement Award in Global Citizenship; the Whitten Newman Family Foundation with its Global Vision Award; and Mary Blankenship Pointer, CFO, Council of International Neonatal Nurses, with its Global Humanitarian Award. Eleven outstanding global leaders/organizations were inducted into WEF's 2017 Class of Global Citizens for their extraordinary contributions to global citizenship in the United States and abroad.
For more information about the Global Citizen Awards Gala and the World Experiences Foundation, please visit www.worldexperincesfoundation.org.