The Ruth Page Center for the Arts and Cuba's National School of Ballet continue their collaborative and historic programming with a joint performance. [...] The result marked the first official exchange between two eminent cultural institutions since the normalization of relations between Cuba and the U.S.A. After obtaining official permission from the Cuban Ministry of Culture, the RPSD initiated the first step in the landmark cultural exchange program that would focus on the sharing of knowledge on dance, especially ballet and contemporary dance.

Former President Barack Obama will return to Chicago on Monday to speak to young people at the University of Chicago, in what will be his first public event since leaving the White House. [....] "This event is part of President Obama's post-presidency goal to encourage and support the next generation of leaders driven by strengthening communities around the country and the world," an advisory said.

From Daley Plaza, Chicagoans will be able to chat and share performances with people in other parts of the world, via a tricked-out shipping container. It's called Portals, a global art installation that's placed identical gold containers, outfitted with live-streaming technology, in cities around the world.

Hundreds of suitcases fill the parking lot outside Elmhurst College  as 500 international students board buses to the airport to go back home.

“It’s sad. I feel horrible. It hasn’t hit me hit that I’ll be home tomorrow,” said 18-year-old Gustavo Lopez from Brazil.

Lopez spent the last year living with a host family in Skokie and attended Niles West High School .

“I hope I remember how to speak Portuguese when I get home. This has been the best year of my life. I feel like a totally different person. I’m so glad I did this,” Lopez said.

How do some of the most successful, leading cities in the world solve their problems? They steal the solutions — from other cities.

Eight weeks ago, a dozen victims or potential victims of sex trafficking each were given a digital camera.  On Monday the work from eight weeks of training in photography and writing will be on display in an exhibition at Columbia College for the world to see.  The project was thought up by Columbia College student Bronte Price, who is also a photographer for Getty Images, as a way to give victims a voice.

Last week, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mexico City Mayor Miguel Mancera entered into a first-of-its-kind city-to-city agreement. This was not a typical Sister Cities cultural exchange pact. The Global Cities Economic Partnership instead plans a series of joint initiatives in trade, innovation, and education to increase employment, expand advanced industries, and strengthen overall global competitiveness.