ATHENS, Ohio After adopting the theme "Children Unite the World," it is no surprise that most of Ohio University's 2001 International Week activities have children as the motivating force. Sponsored by International Student and Faculty Services, the celebration runs May 14 through 19 and has more than 30 organizations participating.

"The goal of this year's International Week is to make the community aware of how important children are in our lives," said Associate Director of International Student and Faculty Services David Tilahun. "We also want to make people aware of the many cultures of the world and encourage everyone to explore them."

The week begins with an international quiz show featuring area high school students in Studio A on the fifth floor of the RTV building. Sponsored by the Department of Geography, the show will be taped at 3 p.m. May 14 and shown on Channel 25 in Athens, at 6 p.m. May 15 and again at 7 p.m. May 16. The taping is free and open to the public.

A May 15 panel discussion will examine the work of UNICEF, Rotary Exchange and the Peace Corps as it relates to children. The event will take place at 7 p.m., May 15 in the Friends of the Library Room on the third floor of Alden Library.

Local children will create a wall painting May 15 through 18 at the Kennedy Museum of Art. The finished wall painting will be displayed at the museum on May 18. The project coincides with an exhibit of Turkish artist Burhan Dogancay's "Wall Paintings from the Museum Collection" May 15 through Aug. 26 at the Kennedy Museum. A slide presentation by the artist, titled "Walls of the World by Children," is planned at 4 p.m. May 18.

International Week also will feature a workshop at which international students will share their culture and language at 5:10 p.m. May 16 in Gordy Hall 309 and 311.

The week concludes with the 20th Annual International Street Fair on Court Street from noon to 6 p.m. May 19. The fair provides a relaxed atmosphere for the campus and local communities to enjoy the music, food and art of many cultures. Aside from a variety of ethnic food items available, the fair features a flag parade, dancing, live music and comments from Ohio University President Robert Glidden and Athens Mayor Ric Abel.