The Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district signed a contract Wednesday that designates two high schools as Confucius Classrooms. The University of Texas at Dallas selected L.D. Bell and Trinity high schools to participate in the Chinese program. UTD is the local partner of Hanban, which is part of the Chinese government's Ministry of Education. Hanban promotes the learning of Chinese culture and language through Confucius Institute programs.

L.D. Bell and Trinity will each receive $30,000 and more than 1,000 books as part of the program.

The district has been at the forefront of offering global programs. It received a $900,000 Foreign Language Assistance Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant allows the district to provide a new language lab at Central Junior High and offer Hindi and Mandarin language classes. In addition, the district will expand two language programs at the high schools and offer Arabic during the 2011-12 school year.

Since 2006, the district has been a member of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Through the partnership, district students have met several ambassadors, hosted teachers visiting from India and Tunisia and offered teacher training sessions.

"We prepare students for life in a global economy," Superintendent Gene Buinger said. "Out students are competing right now with students in China and India who want to attend the best colleges and universities."

Visit www.hebisd.edu or www.utdallas.edu to learn more.

Terrorism afflicts his home country. Women's rights suffer there as well.

These two issues will be the topics of a talk Monday by Afghanistan's Ambassador to the U.S. Said Jawad.

A lawyer who has worked for several firms in the U.S., Jawad returned to his home country after 9/11 to serve as presidential press secretary, chief of staff and director of the Office of International Relations. He was appointed to his current post in 2003. He also serves as Afghanistan's nonresident ambassador to Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico.

The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women present his lecture at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Rosewood Crescent Hotel, 400 Crescent Court in Dallas. The institute, a nonprofit founded by Terry Neese, works closely with Jawad in its Peace Through Business program, which helps women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Rwanda. Afghan representatives from the 2010 program also will attend the event.

Tickets are $20 for members and their guests; $35 for others. Call 214-965-8412 or visit www.dfwworld.org.

On Saturday, the day Filipinos marked their country's independence, about 600 Filipinos gathered locally to celebrate. The event started with a Festival of Praise followed by a Gala Night at the Westin Hotel Park Central in Dallas. Hosts were Edgar Santiago and Bruce Jones. Nap Ramirez, Edith McCoy and Merna Parcon served as gala chairs. Guests enjoyed performances by the Maharlika Dancers, Silayan Dance Group and Balikatan Performing Arts. There was also the crowning of Ms. Independence.

To learn more, visit www.prdc-dfw.org.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has partnered with the Crow Collection of Asian Art to offer a free ticket to Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble concert for each 2010-11 series subscription purchased by Friday. The renowned violinist will perform March 30. To subscribe, call 214-692-0203 and mention the promo code: Crow Collection. Upcoming events

The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber will host a reception honoring the South Asian community from 5 to 7 p.m. at Our Place Indian Cuisine, 8150 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving. 214-217-8484. www.irvingchamber.com.

Filipino singer Sarah Geronimo will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. in Dallas. $37-$200. 1-800-745-3000. www.liveatthemajestic.com.

Saigon Mall will hold a Garland Asian American Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mall is at 3212 N. Jupiter Road in Garland. 469-955-8888.

Sunday

The Kalachandji's Hare Krishna Temple will hold a Kirtan and Feast at 5:30 p.m. Free. The temple is at 5430 Gurley Ave. in Dallas. 214-827-6333. www.radhakalachandji.com.

The Senior Source and the DFW Asian-American Citizens Council present the Second Asian Conference on Aging from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Senior Source, 3910 Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Reservations requested. 214-823-5700. psummitt@theseniorsource.org.

The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth presents Meridian: Global Young Professionals Event featuring former Ambassador Robert Jordan at 7 p.m. at Times Ten Cellars, 6324 Prospect Ave. in Dallas. The topic will be "Hot Times in the Middle East." 214-965-8412. www.dfwworld.org.

The Association of Oriental Arts presents an exhibit of Chinese brush paintings on rice paper through June 24 at the Jaycee Park Center for the Arts, 2000 W. Airport Freeway in Irving. Free. 972-721-2488.

Repertory Company Theatre presents Miss Saigon through June 27 at 650 N. Coit Road in Richardson. $14 for youths, $20 for seniors, $25 for adults. 972-690-5029. www.rcttheatre.com.