John Bruton, European Union Ambassador to the United States, will speak at a Provo High Town Meeting sponsored by the Center for the Study of Europe in partnership with the Intercultural Outreach and the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University.
Bruton will address the students at 11:30 a.m. in the Provo High Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 24. He will also offer a David M. Kennedy Center lecture at BYU in the Assembly Hall of the Hinckley Alumni and Visitor’s Center on Thursday at 3 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
"This week high school students will have the chance to interact with His Excellency John Bruton, ambassador for one of the most important economic and political parts of the world,” said Cory Leonard, David M. Kennedy Center assistant director.
Provo High School is the only International Baccalaureate World School in Utah County. Students study many languages, including French, German, Spanish and Latin from the EU in addition to Chinese, Arabic and American Sign Language. Bruton’s visit to Utah will be the highlight of many students’ academic experience.
"U.S./European relations have been up and down, but one thing is certain — Europe is a key strategic partner for the U.S. now and in the foreseeable future. And despite the politics, Americans and many Utahns love Europe's music, food, geography, history, languages and culture. Ambassador Bruton, in this regard, represents 'all things European' in a historic visit to Provo High," Leonard added.
The Center for the Study of Europe is a BYU-sponsored program that sponsors workshops, speakers, research and community outreach. Intercultural Outreach works with K-12 schools, teachers, and administrators to improve cross-cultural understanding through curricular materials, professional development, classroom presentations and strategic partnerships.
For more information, contact Cory Leonard at Cory_Leonard@byu.edu or (801) 422-2980.
Writer: Lee Simons