SUSI Students 2019 – Introducing our Meridian Partner
2019 marked the Dialogue Institute’s 10th year hosting SUSI Students on the topic of Religious Freedom. This summer the DI partnered with Meridian International, a non- profit diplomatic and global leadership institution, in Washington, D.C. Meridian specializes in exchange programs for high school students and adult scholars. Its leadership programs aim to create better global leaders.
The Dialogue Institute was one of five other institutes partnering under Meridian’s implementation. This group includes: Bard College’s SUSI on Civic Engagement, University of Massachusetts’ SUSI on Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, University of Washington, Seattle’s SUSI on Youth, Education, and Closing the Skills Gap, and University of Nevada, Reno’s The John McCain Institute on the Rule of Law and Public Service.
This year the Dialogue Institute hosted twenty students from India, Indonesia, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon for a four-week academic residency program at Temple University. Meridian International led a Study Tour in Utah, and Closing Forum in Washington, D.C. During the academic residency, students enjoyed the Stereotype and Prejudice Workshop by Mary Austin as well as interactive musical events by City Love and Intercultural Journeys which helped the students understand there is more than one way to initiate meaningful dialogue. Students were also able to experience a 4th of July celebration in the nation’s birthplace and witness civil religion first hand. Participants attended a parade in Philadelphia followed by a cookout hosted at the home of our SUSI Intern, Jake Jacobs.
The Dialogue Institute was fortunate that Sergio Mazza and Lora Mazza were able to travel from their home in Sedona, AZ, to spend a month with SUSI students. They assisted with program implementation and facilitated student dialogue. Participants in the Philadelphia program studied and visited a variety of majority and minority religious communities: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Islam and more. The group delved into the constitution and its relation to democratic practices in the present U.S. government. At the end of the Philadelphia residency the students had the opportunity to present their action plans to fellow participants, staff, host families, and other community members. Three participants from the Dialogue Institute, Lugein, Michele, and Sanya, went on to display their action plans at the final poster gallery Meridian hosted in Washington, D.C. Meridian International offers several grant opportunities to our student alumni and to date four of our twenty students have applied for follow-on grants.
This year’s SUSI Student program was another success thanks to the Dialogue Institute staff, Board Members, community partners, and Meridian International. As always, this summer’s program was an enriching experience for both students and staff. We are grateful for our partnership with Meridian and are excited to work with their organization for another two years.
