For Release: Immediately
Department of External Affairs
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Communications and Development

DIPLOMATS REPRESENTING SIX NATIONS DISCUSS CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SCENE AS CENTRAL SENIOR SERVICES LAUNCHES “THE WORLD AT YOUR DOOR” PROGRAM SERIES

Representatives of Israel, Romania, Chile, Finland, Canada, and Jamaica to Explain the Foreign Policy Priorities of their Countries

PHILADELPHIA, March 4, 2011—In the current global economy, even friendly nations are competitors for jobs, resources, and influence. On Wednesday, March 9 at 11:00 a.m., Central Senior Services at the Parkway Central Library will launch a compelling new series of public programs entitled “The World at Your Door,” featuring area diplomats who represent the nations of Canada, Jamaica, Finland, Chile, Romania, and Israel. Each diplomat will provide his or her perspective on the current international scene—and explain the foreign policy priorities of their nations.

Every program in this six-part series will be presented on a Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in Room 108 and will be open to people of all ages. The series lineup includes:

• Mr. Paul Gillis, Canadian Consul – March 9, 2011
• Dr. Alston Meade, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Pennsylvania – March 23, 2011
• Ms. Kristina Mattila, Honorary Consul of Finland – April 13, 2011
• Mr. Benjamin Leavenworth, Honorary Consul of Chile – May 4, 2011
• Mr. Raslan Abu Rukun, Deputy Consul of Israel – May 18, 2011
• Mr. George Sfedu, Honorary Consul General of Romania – May 25, 2011

“As current events in Egypt demonstrate, the world can change swiftly and unexpectedly. It is vital for us to educate ourselves about the increasingly complex world in which we live,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia. “By learning about the cultures and perspectives of countries around the world, we are better prepared to comprehend complex world events. The Free Library is proud to host public programs that foster an intergenerational dialogue and promote a more sophisticated understanding of the global community. This compelling series is one more step in a continuing process.”

Since its opening in August of 2009, Central Senior Services has been an intellectual oasis for people 55 and over. In addition to special programming like “The World at Your Door,” Central Senior Services offers expert computer assistance; large print books; special collections targeted to the needs and interests of older adults; classic films; a diverse offering of magazines and newspapers; and the most comfortable furniture at Parkway Central Library. For more information, please call 215-686-5331.

Central Senior Services is generously funded by a grant from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
 

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The Free Library of Philadelphia system consists of 49 branches, three regional libraries, the Parkway Central Library, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. With more than 6 million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.

03/04/2011


Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850