WorldCanvass - IWP: Writing the Stories of the World - November 2, 2012

Co-founder and tireless supporter of the International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa, Hualing Nieh Engle receives the 2012 International Impact Award as part of the November 2, 2012 WorldCanvass program "IWP: Writing the Stories of the World." The International Impact Award is given to exceptional individuals who have made sustained and deep contributions internationally or in the U.S. to promote global understanding. Following the award presentation by UI Provost Barry Butler, Engle will join WorldCanvass host Joan Kjaer and a number of colleagues, admirers and international writers for a program celebrating the unique experiment that began almost a half-century ago and continues today, bringing accomplished international writers from around the globe to the American Midwest where they live together, learn from each other, pursue their writing, and experience Iowa and Iowans during a ten-week residency. As only the third recipient of this award, Engle is being honored for her vision in creating and nurturing the International Writing Program; for her commitment to freedom of expression and international/intercultural dialogue regardless of political barriers; for her personal investment in internationalizing the UI campus as well as the larger American literary landscape; and for proudly carrying the name and reputation of the University of Iowa to the most cosmopolitan of cities and most humble of communities in her own voice and in the voices of IWP writers.