In episode 24 of Liberal Arts Voices, International Politics and Sociology major Ruth Canagarajah joins the program to discuss her service leadership initiative Paalam.

Ruth begins the podcast by discussing her philosophy behind the Paalam project. She explains how the Paalam project works in collaboration with an NGO called SJC 87, a scholarship program for children in Sri Lanka, to provide Sri Lankan youth with an opportunity to write and perform their own plays. Ruth talks about how the Paalam project uses art, and specifically playwriting and theatre, as a medium through which Sri Lankan youth can communicate and reflect on their experiences. Classes in Sri Lanka participate in a playwriting competition where the winning groups have their plays performed at Penn State.

Towards the end of the podcast, Dean Long congratulates Ruth for winning one of the 2011 Rock Ethics Institute Stand Up Award. The annual Stand Up Award is given to students who have demonstrated a proficiency in ethical leadership. 

Liberal Arts Voices: Episode 24

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You can visit the Paalam project website to find out more or to get involved. Also, make sure to check out the Paalam video on the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies You Tube Page.

We encourage all of our listeners to write to us with comments, questions, or suggestions at laus@la.psu.edu. We may even respond to these comments on the next episode of Liberal Arts Voices.