SPANISH VERSION
September 24th, 2020
Lasallian Dialogue on Racism: A Global Pandemic
ONLINE EVENT
DETAILS
Thursday, September 24th, 2020
Mexico City (Central Daylight Time) 8AM to 9:30AM
New York, USA (Eastern Daylight Time (North America) 9AM to 10:30AM
Rome (Central European Summer Time) 3PM to 4:30PM
Manila (Philippine Standard Time) 9PM to 10:30PM
Palestine (Eastern European Summer Time) 4PM to 5:30PM
This event will be broadcasted with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish
REGISTER HERE
Deadline: SEP, 23th
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The International Association of La Salle Universities welcomes you to the Lasallian Dialogue on Racism: A Global Pandemic. This 90 minute event will bring together four distinguished panelists on the issue of racism and its characteristics in different parts of the world.
By organizing this event, IALU joins and is inspired in the ongoing efforts of our membership to discuss the issue in a direct way that leads to actual change. The work currently under way in North America can be found here: https://lasallian.info/responding-to-racism/
We are also grateful to have the partnership and support of the World Union of Lasallian Former Students (UMAEL), Secretariat of Solidarity and Development and the Young Lasallians. We believe a united and systematic front to be the only way to bring forth palpable change.
We encourage you to join our discussion and most importantly, our common fight to combat racism.
"We cannot claim to defend the sacredness of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion."
Pope Francis
General Audience
March 9, 2020
In the recently published Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission we declare that:
"We believe that another world is possible, and that education is a fundamental force in building it."
Pope Francis
General Audience
March 9, 2020
In the recently published Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission we declare that:
"We believe that another world is possible, and that education is a fundamental force in building it."
Dear Lasallians,
The Lasallian Dialogue on Racism: A Global Pandemic international livestream event on September 24th is a most significant opportunity to assist us in creating this better world in which racism and exclusion no longer exist. On behalf of the International Association of La Salle Universities, I wish to express my gratitude to the Mission Committee of our international association who, in conjunction with our IALU Executive Leadership Team, have made this opportunity available to us.
As we prepare for the upcoming event on September 24th, two expressions come to my mind.
Strength in Diversity is the first expression that comes to mind. That was the guiding light of the last General Assembly of the International Association of La Salle Universities that was held in Mexico City in 2018. Such expression encompasses the differences we find at our 64 universities around the world, big and small, science or liberal arts oriented, wherever they might be located. “Strength in Diversity” embodies the values that are embedded within our network rich culture and historical experiences of transformation and contribution to society.
It is my personal belief that we need to be clear and to eliminate any and all implicitness within the aforementioned expression so that there is no doubt. “Strength in Diversity” cannot only be limited to our view on our institutions but it needs to expressly embrace the diversity we find within those who work at our institutions, our students and the broader communities we serve. We know we have to do more so that our diversity at all levels is truly the origin of our strength. We hope that the dialogue that begins with four different perspectives on racism will translate into concrete actions immediately and in the near future.
Indivisa Manent is the second expression that comes to my mind. The motto is found on the coat of arms of our Founder’s family. It translates loosely to permanently indivisible, or that which is united, remains. Indeed, we are, both as a society and as Lasallians, for our strength derives from this very fact. More than an expression on a coat of arms, it reminds us that we are a community that works “together and by association”, where inclusion is its most outstanding value. It is for this reason that we work so that each person feels included and welcomed in our community and we will do all that is necessary to continue to strengthen this defining trait of our larger Lasallian family so that is indeed, a reality of our everyday life.
We encourage active participation on the upcoming September 24th event. May this be the starting point of fulfilling the promise that comes with the combination of these two expressions.
Strength in Diversity.
Indivisa Manent.
Br. Andrés Govela Gutierrez
President
UMAEL
The World Union of Lasallian Former Students joins other Lasallian Networks in support against all forms of racism. We believe in the sanctity and dignity of human life. No one should endure discrimination based on the color of their skin because it does not determine who we are. Every person is equal and should be allowed to pursue their own happiness based upon their actions and merits: on who they are and not what they look like, Because the human spirit has no color.
YOUNG LASALLIANS
There is a real need to continuously educate communities about racism. What we see in the news today are incidents of violence & death related to the issue, but imagine the small and unnoticed acts of racism happening daily? Global Perspectives on Racism, an online forum/panel organized by the International Association of La Salle Universities (IALU), will provide us with the opportunity to further our understanding on this global challenge. We believe this will be a great conversation for Lasallian educators & formators as we continue to pass on the learnings, from history and of today, to the young entrusted to our care.
Secretariat of Solidarity and Development ONLUS
The Secretariat of Solidarity and Development ONLUS of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is pleased to support IALU’s Global Perspectives on Race. The Secretariat has a solid history of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in Lasallian operations around the world. Across five continents, we advocate strongly for the rights of children and youth at risk of socio-educational exclusion through local initiatives and targeted responses.
Dr. Kristi J. Kelly, is the chief diversity officer and director of Multicultural Student Services at Lewis University, in Romeoville, Illinois, near Chicago. She participated in the 2019 Lasallian Higher Education Colloquy on Racial Justice. Her research focuses on the experiences of black women in the collegiate setting through the lens of critical race theory and black feminist thought. Dr. Kelly holds an MA and Ed. D. from Lewis University.
Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, PhD, is the Brother Visitor-Provincial of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD). He brings with him over 34 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, having served as the Secretary of the Department of Education for the Philippine government, the President of De La Salle University in the Philippines, and the President of the network of La Salle Schools in the Philippines. Brother Armin holds a doctorate in Educational Management from the University of Saint La Salle in Bacolod, as well as a Master’s in Religious Education and Values Education degree from De La Salle University in Manila. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Letters degree also from De La Salle university.
Dr. Jamil Khader is Professor of English and Dean of Research at Bethlehem University. With vast international experience, Dr. Khader has received various awards, including two Fulbright Fellowships.
His numerous articles on postcolonial studies, transnational feminisms, fantastic literature, and cosmopolitanism have appeared in various international journals and other collections and his political commentary has been featured on major Middle East outlets.
His numerous articles on postcolonial studies, transnational feminisms, fantastic literature, and cosmopolitanism have appeared in various international journals and other collections and his political commentary has been featured on major Middle East outlets.
Brother Francisco Pérez, FSC, is the Director of Liceo La Salle, Chiquimula – Guatemala and also served as the Director of the Brothers Community as well. He holds a degree in Theology from Universidad Rafael Landívar -Guatemala, a Master's in Anthropology from Universidad de Salamanca -España, and is also a doctoral candidate at Salamanca in Anthropology. He is a member of the Association of Forensic Anthropology - Guatemala; a participant in the Central American Congresses of Anthropology; and is currently an invited research partner on indigenous populations in a consortium with colleagues from Harvard University and Boston College in the United States.
MODERATOR
Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, D.Min., serves as Vice President of Mission, Diversity and Inclusion at La Salle University. He co-led the Lasallian Higher Education Colloquies on Racial Justice in January 2017, 2018 and 2019. Brother Ernest was the convener of the Lasallian Convocation on the Rights of Children at the United Nations (2010). He has presented at numerous conferences, workshops and retreats on Lasallian historical and educational themes, Catholic social teaching, church history, human rights, and religious brotherhood, among others.
Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, D.Min., serves as Vice President of Mission, Diversity and Inclusion at La Salle University. He co-led the Lasallian Higher Education Colloquies on Racial Justice in January 2017, 2018 and 2019. Brother Ernest was the convener of the Lasallian Convocation on the Rights of Children at the United Nations (2010). He has presented at numerous conferences, workshops and retreats on Lasallian historical and educational themes, Catholic social teaching, church history, human rights, and religious brotherhood, among others.