Page 9
The Newsletter of the Institute for Global Understanding at Monmouth University
Newsletter Date
The mission of the
Institute for Global
Understanding (IGU)
is to promote awareness of issues and challenges of our dynamic, interdependent world. Through academic pro‐
grams, field experiences, service learning, and en‐
gagement in local and global communities, IGU fulfills Monmouth University’s broad mission of promoting global understanding, diver‐
sity, and leadership. Inside this Issue: 12th Annual GUC 1
GUC Lecture 2
Project BAM 3
Interfaith Panel 5
Poetry Reading 6
MOA & Book 7
Photos 8
MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY’S
12TH ANNUAL GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING
CONVENTION
Monmouth University held
its 12th Annual Global
Understanding Convention
(GUC) on April 8-12, 2013,
with the major theme of
“Transforming Global
Dialogue to Achieve a
Sustainable Future.”
Chaired by Professor Susan
Bucks, co-chaired by
Professor Susan Gupta,
and planned by a dedicated
committee (see “Heartfelt
Thanks” on page 9), the
GUC presented over 65
events. The full program
is at
http://www.monmouth.edu/
uploadedFiles/Resources/
Institute_for_Global_Understanding/
Conventions/GUC_2013/
GUCProgram2013.pdf
The highlights include:
Heartfelt Thanks ... 9 SPRING 2013 EDITION *An opening ceremony
lecture on “Rio +20 and the
Future We Want” by Mr.
Nikhil Seth, the Director of
the UN Division for Sustainable Development.
*Presentations on Bangladesh by Dr. Faial Ahmmed
and Neaz Ahmed, both of the
Department of Social Work
at Shahjalal University of
Science and Technology,
who were Visiting
International Scholars at
Monmouth University
during April 2013. One
presentation, chaired by
Dr. Golam M. Mathbor of
the School of Social Work,
addressed “Forty Years of
Bangladesh: Society,
Politics, and Development.”
*A panel discussion on
“Sandy’s ‘Silver Linings:’
Searching for Positive
Outcomes in the Aftermath
of a Disaster,” with public
policy, environmental, and
real estate perspectives.
*A classroom colloquium on
“Addressing the Middle East
Water Crisis One Drop at a
Time,” with a presentation
by Brendan McGinnis,
President of Water
Resources Action Project
in Washington, DC.
*A special event featuring
Dava Sobel, author of
Galileo’s Daughter,
Longitude, and The Planets.
The event was organized by
the Honors School.
*The film “Moolaade, ”
hosted by Dr. Thomas S.
Pearson, Monmouth
University Provost/
Vice President of Academic
Affairs.
*A documentary film and a
follow-up conversation with
peace builders/film makers
Len and Libby Traubman on,
“Dialogue in Nigeria:
Muslims & Christians
Creating Their Future.”
An impressive feature of this
year’s GUC was the serious
participation of students or
“Global Ambassadors.” They
volunteered their time to
ensure the smooth running
of events, including taking
attendance, assisting the
presenters, and distributing
and collecting the evaluation
forms. See “Heartfelt
Thanks” on page 9.
Page 2
Page 9 UN ACADEMIC IMPACT LECTURE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF
THE 12TH ANNUAL GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING CONVENTION
in food and fuel prices have
driven social unrest in many
countries. The woes in
many developed economies
are a major hindrance on
the global economy. There
is a weakening, but uncertain, outlook for the global
economy.
“There needs to be a safe and just operating space for humanity in order to have inclusive and sustainable economic development.” generating jobs, promoting
education, and so forth.
Much has to be done to
pursue these outcomes.
This necessitates strengthening the UN fit for the
future. Steps could consist
of a new universal sustainable development agenda
post-2015, which enables
The United States has been the movement from Millenhit hard. The recession ex- nium Development Goals to
Sustainable Development
perienced recently was the
Goals; high-level political
worst since the Great Dedialogue and commitment
pression.
Some
8.8
million
Mr. Nikhil Seth on sustainable developjobs were lost as well as
$19.2 trillion (2011 dollars) ment; technical cooperation
“From Rio to Rio+20:
in household wealth. Rising and capacity building on
Sustainable Developunemployment around the green economy and sustainment Through Multiple world has been higher for
able development; and
Global Crises”—
progress on international
the youth. It is an ongoing
Lecture by Mr. Nikhil
priorities, including climate
concern, especially in
Seth, Director, UN
change, sustainable energy
developed countries.
Division for Sustainable
for all, and integrated
Development
resource management,
There needs to be a safe and
among others.
just operating space for
By Dr. Saliba Sarsar
humanity in order to have
In going forward, each of us
inclusive and sustainable
is responsible for putting
The Opening Ceremony lec- economic development.
ture presented 25 years of
This must combine an
creativity and ingenuity to
sustainable development in environmental ‘ceiling’ set
use in trying to solve the
the information age.
by Planetary Boundaries,
world’s problems. Why not
and a social ‘foundation’
secure an education and
A main point is that the eco- comprising minimum social build a career in sustainable
nomic growth that has pro- threshold, specifically in the
areas of water, food, health, development? Each of us
pelled our massive social
should know what we buy,
gender equality, social
transformations did not
equity,
energy,
jobs,
voice,
where it comes from, how it
come at a low price. Enviresilience,
education,
and
was made, how much it polronmental and climate criincome.
ses have been the unfortulutes or damages the envinate result. Three of nine
ronment, and how much we
Planetary Boundaries have The Rio+20 outcomes
consume of it. Why not inbeen crossed, mainly biodi- include sustainable developcrease our awareness? Why
versity loss, climate change, ment goals; a UN high level
not foster awareness in our
and nitrogen. The other six political forum on
family, friends, and col(i.e., ocean acidification,
sustainable development;
ozone depletion, phosphogreen economy, sustainable leagues? Each of us is adrous cycle, freshwater use,
consumption and producvised to consider how our
land use, and chemical pol- tion, and standards beyond research and career can help
lution) are at risk. For exGross Domestic Product;
contribute to solutions to
ample, over 50 per cent of
sustainable development
the world’s problems. Why
the world’s arable land is
strategy and technology
not make a serious attempt
now degraded or severely
mechanism; partnerships;
in that direction?
degraded. Rapid increases and a thematic focus on
Page 3
Page 9 ROJECT BAM:
Connecting Fun with Learning—Making Education Accessible
By Professor Abha Patel
Project BAM (Big Brothers
and Big Sisters, Asbury
Park High School, and
Monmouth University) is a
dynamic initiative undertaken by the Institute of
Global Understanding
(IGU) to involve the
community and promote
learning, understanding,
and leadership.
considering the close proximity of the two campuses,
this is very practical. The
students visit during lunch
time every other Monday.
Several other programs
have come in and out of
APHS but none of those had
a strong follow through like
Project BAM. What makes
this project work so well is
The counselors from Asbury the dedicated relationship
IGU has established with
Park High School (APHS)
APHS. The outreach with
were all praises for the
Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Project. Bryan Hackett,
of Monmouth and Middlecounselor at APHS, and a
sex County (BBBS) and the
Monmouth alumni, said
EOF Department at MU
that the Project has been
enables APHS to track stuvery successful since Dr.
dents through them.
Rekha Datta and Marilyn
Ward originally approached
According to Mary Beth
Melanie Sambataro of
Yurkanin, the Manager for
APHS in 2009 regarding
school and site-based prothe Global Studies program.
grams for BBBS, this is the
fourth year of Project BAM,
What is unique about this
project is that instead of the and every year, it gets better. Currently, there are 23
MU mentors going to the
matches, the largest the
school, the high school
Project has ever been. The
students visit the MU
mentors and mentees are
campus to experience the
interviewed and matched
University environment;
one-to-one based on their
personalities and interests,
and establish a close bond
over the year. There is normally 100% attendance of
mentors and mentees.
The main purpose of Project
BAM is to interest and prepare students for college by
promoting social skills and
helping explore new opportunities in a friendly environment. An excellent example is Miguel Nunez, a
former APHS mentee, who
is going to Monmouth University through EOF. Nunez did not want to leave
the area and feels more
comfortable and very engaged here.
Like the past three years, in
2012-13, almost every other
Monday, 23 students from
APHS participated in diverse and well-chosen
events that showcase the
college experience at
Monmouth University.
Each session had something
educational and inspiring to
Project BAM Mentors, Mentees, and Staff
“The main purpose of Project BAM is to interest and prepare students for college by promoting social skills and helping explore new opportunities in a friendly environment. “ Page 4
Page 9 Project BAM … continued from page 3
“Tyrone, a
natural debate
star in the
making, loves
coming to
Monmouth and
values all the
different
experiences—
especially talking
to his mentor.”
offer—for instance, at the
debate workshop, Dr. Patten
set the pace by giving a
history of MU’s association
with APHS’s successful
debate team. Assisted by
student mentors and three
members of the Monmouth
Debate Team, Dr. Patten led
a high energy discussion on
two relevant topics; after
which the APHS students
conducted an impressive
mock debate. Dr. Patten
had helped to start a debate
team at APHS in 2010 with
a $7,000 grant from TD
Bank through IGU and the
Monmouth Debate Team.
The visitors learned about
different cultures’ celebrations; e.g., they made
innovative menorahs, had
high tea with the Study
Abroad Group, decorated
their arms and hands with
unique henna tattoos
(courtesy of the Muslim
students club), and made
special decorations with the
psychology and sociology
clubs. The excitement in the
air was palpable.
Not only do the IGU and
APHS components find this
Project inspiring, the
mentors and mentees find it
very engaging as well.
Another exciting event was Amanda DiVita, an MU
the Capoiera project, which mentor, said that this has
become her “favorite thing”
the students are always
thrilled to attend. Capoiera since she joined project
is an Afro-Brazilian Martial BAM in Spring 2010. She
loves that all the events are
Arts Project with roots in
unique and the activities are
the successful rebellion of
planned out beforehand so
the African-origin natives
against colonial oppression. they can chat and eat lunch.
All three of Amanda’s menThe two leaders, Casey
Sanders and his friend from tees were involved in plays
at school and have an interSol Nascente talked about
est in drama. Her mentee
the history of the martial
this year is interested in
arts form. The students
major—
played on the drums, learnt psychology, her
so it’s great!
to sing in Portuguese, and
went through basic steps,
All of the mentees were
moves and kicks. This form
equally excited and enthusiof self-defense is also called
astic about the Project.
“Capoeira Salvade” because
Destiny, a sophomore at
it gives youth an alternative
APHS finds it exciting and
to drugs, gangs etc. The
loves all of the events this
mentors and mentees just
year. Jarode, another
loved it!
sophomore, likes all of the
events and finds it fun to be
The last event of 2012,
another group favorite, was learning things and meeting
‘Holidays around the world.’ people. He wants to play
Dr. Joseph Patten at
Project BAM
baseball and plans to major
in Engineering. Tyrone, a
natural debate star in the
making, loves coming to
Monmouth and values all
the different experiences—
especially talking to his
mentor. They often talk
about University and
discovering things as you
go through college. He
definitely wants to minor in
theater but is unsure about
his major.
Project BAM will definitely
continue to enthuse and
inspire APHS students for
many years to come!
Editor’s Note:
Partial funding for
Project BAM is provided
by Santander Bank, and
it is deeply appreciated.
Page 5
Page 9 INTERFAITH PERSPECTIVES ON EARTH-CARE
By Mr. Joe Ritacco
Joe Ritacco, Lynn Dash, Rev. Dana Eglinton, and Naresh Jain presenting at GUC
Are faith communities a
positive force for motivating
their adherents and beyond
to sustain a livable planet?
At GUC 2013, about 50
attendees heard from
representatives of three very
different faith traditions:
Unitarian Universalist,
Presbyterian, and Jain.
The session was sponsored
by the Monmouth Center
for World religions and
Ethical Thought
(www.interfaithmcwret.org). Joe Ritacco,
of MCWRET and the
Monmouth (U) Dialogue
Group, introduced the
session by providing an
overview of the three faith
traditions.
Each of these traditions is
small but has been influential well beyond its numbers.
Unitarian Universalists
*“Historically, UUs have
often been active in American civil rights, gay rights,
and feminist movements”.
Lynn Dash, also of
MCWRET, and past
President of the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation
of Monmouth County
Presbyterian Church
(UUCMC) is a climate
(USA); largest US Presactivist. She is a founding
byterian denomination.
member of the Monmouth
County Cool Cities Partner*Operates as a representative democracy; Influenced ship and is now active with
the Citizens Climate Lobby,
shaping of US democracy.
which aims to create the
*10 US presidents listed as political will for a livable
Presbyterian; Lincoln, Jack- planet. UU activism, highson, Polk, Buchanan, Hayes, lighted earlier, is now being
Cleveland, Harrison, Wilapplied to environmental
son, Eisenhower, Reagan.
justice. From her presentation’ “We (UU) recognize
Jainism
human beings are part of
*“The principle of nonthe web of existence. We
violence or ahimsa is the
acknowledge that the same
most distinctive and well
paradigm of dominion that
known aspect of Jain relihas led to environmental
gious practice.”
degradation also reinforces
*Gandhi (Hindu) was influ- economic and racial inequities. Only by seeking
enced by the teachings of
solutions that address both
Jainism and Jesus
environment and justice can
*Martin Luther King
we solve either.”
(Christian) influenced by
… continued on page 6
Gandhi and Jesus
*Susan B. Anthony, women
suffragette leader, described
as a Unitarian (pre-merger)
and Quaker.
Page 6
Page 9 Interfaith Perspectives … continued from page 5
“Are faith communities a positive force for motivating Reverend Dana Eglinton,
Presbyterian Pastor of a NJ
congregation is a participant
in the congregation's Earth
Care Ministry. He also
serves on the steering
committee of Presbyterian's
for Earth Care. Dana shared
the following reading that
informs many Christians
about the fundamental
importance of care for the
environment. “What we are
talking about is an elaborate
understanding of charity...
that charity by its nature
cannot be selective …
[Charity] cannot stop until it
includes all Creation, for all
creatures are parts of a
whole upon which each is
dependent, and it is a
contradiction to love your
all aspects of our universe
and its core principal of
ahimsa of doing minimal
harm leads practicing Jains
to minimize their impact of
all resources. Practicing
Jains are vegetarians since
the resources needed to
produce vegetables are
much less than required for
meats. Even within the
Naresh Jain is trustee
realm of plants a hierarchy
emeritus of the Council for
exists. Those that grow in
Parliament of World
sunshine are considered
Religions and Advisor to the
superior to eat. For
MCWRET and has
example, fruits that grow
represented the Jain
and ripen on trees “fall
community as a consultant,
down as a gift of nature
presenter, moderator, and
involving minimum injury”
organizer of interfaith
to the environment to grow
events in many
or to harvest.
countries. Jainism by its
very nature is respectful of
neighbor and despise the
great inheritance on which
his life depends. Charity
even for one person does
not make sense except in
terms of an effort to love all
creation in response to the
creator’s love for it.” (The
Gift of Good Land by
Wendell Berry)
their adherents and beyond to sustain a livable planet?” POETRY READING AND the Armenian genocide,
exile, immigration, and
DISCUSSION WITH
GREGORY DJANIKIAN human consciousness.
The poems and the
By Professor Mihaela follow-up discussion,
Moscaliuc
attended by 30+ graduate
April has been designated as students from the English
Genocide Awareness Month Department and other
members of the university
as well as National Poetry
community, provided
Month, a most apposite, if
provoking, juxtaposition, as memorable insights into
histories of violence that
reflected in the tonal
horrify, but that also offer
registers of the Global
Understanding Convention invaluable lessons for the
future.
associated event that took
place on Monday, April
29th, on the campus of
Monmouth University.
Poet Gregory Djanikian read
from his book, So I Will Till
the Ground, a collection that
addresses, in stark yet exquisitely chiseled poems,
The event was organized by
Professor Mihaela
Moscaliuc and the students of
English 598/Immigration
Literature, and cosponsored by the Office of
Global Initiatives, the
Institute of Global
Understanding, and the
Department of English.
Poet Gregory Djanikian
Page 7
Page 9 REACHING OUT TO BALKANS THROUGH UN UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE:
MOA SIGNED BETWEEN MU AND ECPD
By Dr. Bojana Berić
At the Fall IGU General Assembly meeting, a Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) was signed between
Monmouth University (MU)
and the European Center for
Peace and Development
(ECPD) of the University for
Peace established by the
United Nations. Provost/
Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas S.
Pearson and Dr. Don Wallace, the Deputy President
of the ECPD Academic
Council signed the document on behalf of MU and
the ECPD, respectively.
The idea for collaboration
was born during the ECPD
IGU FACULTY
FELLOWS EDITING
VOLUME ON
GLOBAL CULTURE
The two IGU Faculty
Fellows, Professor Marina
Vujnovic, Interim Associate
Director of IGU and
Assistant Professor of
Communication, and
Professor Vincenzo Mele of
the University of Pisa, are
editing the forthcoming
volume “Global Culture:
Theories and Paradigms
Revisited.” Some 16
experts from the United
States, Italy, Bangladesh,
China, and Germany are
contributing chapters.
The volume will be published in the series “Critical
Global Studies” by Brill
Dr. Don Wallace and Provost
Pearson Signing the MOA
First Summer School on
Reproductive Health in
Miločer in 2010, and
suggested by Professor
Negoslav Ostojić, the
Executive Director of
ECPD. The intention of
this MOA is to establish
formal exchange programs
and to promote the
development of joint studies, research and training
activities that would be of
mutual interest to faculty
and students in both
institutions.
to create
an interdisciplinary
"reader" in
the field of
Academic Publishers
(http://www.brill.com/
publications/critical-global
-studies), directed by
Ricardo A. Dello Buono of
Manhattan College.
The edited book will draw
from the symposium that
was held at Monmouth
University on September
20-22, 2012. The goal is to
create an interdisciplinary
"reader" in the field of
"Global Culture," which is
becoming a kind of subdiscipline in Cultural and
Social Studies.
“The goal is
"Global
Culture ..."
Professor Vujnovic
Professor Mele
Page 8
Page 9
Asbury Park High School mentees and
Monmouth University mentors in Project
BAM and staff and guests at the
Recognition Ceremony on April 29, 2013
Asbury Park High School debate team took
1st place in the novice division in Baltimore
in March 2013. Dr. Joseph Patten (pictured above
with two of the students), Chair of the Department
of Political Science and Sociology, and
the MU Debate Hawks, mentored the APHS
Page 9
HEARTFELT THANKS … GUC PLANNING COMMITTEE!
Susan Bucks, Susan Gupta, Marina Vujnovic, Dina Shahbaz, Mike Richison,
Sana Rashid, Abha Patel, Bojana Beric, Susan Shumard, Nancy Mezey,
Institute for Global
Understanding
Bey Hall, Room 127
Ph: 732-923-4666
Fax: 732-923-4668
Gabrielle Gunter, Alessandra Park Chai, Elizabeth Cooner, Joe Ritacco,
Saliba Sarsar
Check us out on the
Web!
www.monmouth.edu/IGU
www.facebook.com/MU.IGU?
fref=ts
HEARTFELT THANKS … GLOBAL AMBASSADORS!
Newsletter Editor:
Dr. Saliba Sarsar
Sana Rashid, Elizabeth M. Ulan,
Jenna I. Hersh, Stephanie J.
Puwalski, Jennifer H. Lee,
Amanda C. Gruber, Forrest K.
Babola, Susan A. Elwood, Caitlin B.
D'Elia, Malka Saba, Joseph J.
Schuld, Erin L. Ally, Rocio F. Serey,
Taylor H. Bernosky, Alyssa S.
Maurice, Gabrielle Gunter,
Alessandra P. Chai, Alexandra J.
D'Errico, Kinza J. Awan, Breonah
Toon, Colette L. Mitola, Kristen M.
Flynn, Nicole R. Shapiro, Tess O.
La Fera, Momna Ayub, Reem M.
Alsalman, Kerianne Fuoco, Eva C.
Rosamilia, Jordyn H. Magenheim,
Christina J. Alexander, Momna J.
Awan, Melia R. Owens, Matthew R.
Jeffery, Dina M. Shahbaz, Erin M.
Cunningham, Robert M.
Jarembinsky, Gina M. Rubiano,
Kiara K. Toscano, Jacklyn J.
Kouefati, Mitchell I. Parker,
Jennifer A. McHugh, Danielle I. Rakowitz, Ayla M. Yildiz, Roksana Z.
Hajduk, Erik M. Braunstein,
Ashley C. Alvarado, Nina L. Mielcarz, Taylor R. Sassman,
Cassandra J. Figueroa, Michelle Cusack,
Kristina L. Marinos, Christine M.
Amoscato, Imari P. Patel, Kamil
Pulwin, Iziah A. Thompson, Nicole
M. Calascibetta, Rachel T. Gramuglia, Wardha K. Qureshi, Lakshmi
Yarra, Catherine V. Crespo, Monik
S. Suit, Yajie Zhao