Employees Celebrate 12th Annual World Day on the Mall
“The World in a Day” is the theme for the 12th annual World Day on the Mall celebration which will take place on Thursday, September 17. Opening ceremonies will begin at 11:45 a.m. with a keynote address given by Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy.
This year’s World Day on the Mall will take place on Centennial Mall, located east of the State Office Building in downtown Lincoln at 15 & M streets.
This year’s entertainment includes a band best known for their Afro-West Indies/Latin music, Results May Vary (RMV), and Yianni Kalogeras and George-Michael Kalogeras, two young boys who will perform the “Zembekiko” a classic Greek dance.
Several food vendors including Eggroll Etc., Indian Jan’s Taco Stand, Lydya Omondi, Pastabilities, Taj Mahal, Hollenbeck Farms, High Society Cheesecake, Manilla Bay, and The Parthenon will give attendees a wide variety of different ethnic foods to try and enjoy.
This year there will also be three presentations for attendees. Judi M. gaiashkibos, Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs will present “Sovereignty – A Generation for Change.” This presentation is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in conference room D in the lower level of the Nebraska State Office Building.
Dominique Garay, an award winning Slam Poet, will be joined by musician Oscar Rios in a performance scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in conference room D in the lower level of the Nebraska State Office Building. This performance will bring these two media together to create a unique performance.
The US Census will also be hosting a presentation on the challenges of working with underrepresented populations as it relates to culture, language, and communication overall to achieve a common goal. The program is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will be located in conference room F in the lower level of the Nebraska State Office Building.
World Day on the Mall began in 1997 as “Pride in Public Service Day,” a day to recognize the service of state employees. It has evolved to include a celebration of cultural diversity and provides a learning experience for all attendees.
World Day on the Mall is one way in which we celebrate diversity. We continue to showcase the many talents and perspectives of state employees and the citizens they serve every day. It is important that we embrace our diversity because even though each of us is unique in our own way, we also have many commonalities; not the least of which is finding creative and effective solutions to interact and serve our customers. Different perspectives foster that creativity, and the dialog generated by new ideas help us to create effective options. As state employees, we value our differences and bond together with the things about us that are the same.
I encourage you to participate in the many entertainment and educational opportunities that this year’s program will provide.
For a complete schedule of activities please visit the World Day on the Mall’s website at: http://www.nebraska.gov/worldday or contact Charles Roberson at 402-471-3678.
Sincerely,
Carlos Castillo Jr., Director
Administrative Services