“The most important thing isn’t your class assignment or work, it’s yourself,” said Global Citizenship Distinction (GCD) panel members after a presentation on food sustainability and the impact of culture in food systems.
The second day of Civility Week on Feb. 20 at Twin Lights II had one of the best turnouts of the festive week.
“The Food presentation emulates the very core of what we hope to bring forward,” said chair of Civility Week, Dr. Ave Latte. The event’s meaning can be understood by looking at the Civility Week Community Agreement, “We Commit to honest, brave, respectful conversation, where participants are encouraged to speak openly, listen actively, embrace curiosity and gather wisdom.”
Latte created Brookdale’s Civility Week in 2021. However, she explains, “Though initially my mission to produce, it isn’t about me. Rather it is about us, our academic community.”
“The academic culture was gravely concerned for our polarized, intolerant nation. As chair of Governance at that time, I felt compelled to act upon these concerns,” Latte said.
“Our fall 2021 inaugural Civility Week keynote was Steven Petrow, an award-winning Washington Post journalist, who spoke to our community about the theoretical underpinnings of civility, its role in a just society, and how civility can be practiced every day. Subsequent Civility Week topics have dealt with listening as an act of civility, imagining social media conscience, and this year, sustainability,” Latte said.
GCD scholars took this beautiful concept of sustainability and decided to connect it to food consumption. GCD member Morena Traditi explained, “The success of this presentation is in the topic. The audience praised us for exposing a topic that’s not discussed enough, especially in a generation affected by food disorders because of the defective food systems of Western culture.”
GCD Program Coordinator Dr. Raj Wesley also mentioned the main goal of GCD and this presentation. “GCD aims at developing global awareness, global perspectives and global engagement. So, this is one of the best ways to do all that…. I am a faculty member who likes to support the work of my colleagues and see how hard Dr. Ave Latte works. Besides, I like to be engaged and mentor my students, and in the process, I learn a lot, too.”
Every individual involved in Civility Week — staff, audience, advisers, and presenters — learns to embrace diversity: diversity of thought, traditions, behaviors, language and people who know that unity may be the key to a better world for all.
The entire Brookdale community is invited to take part in civility, not only during the biannually held events, but every day.