Summit aims to create dialogues, coalitions | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Jules Norwood, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    The N.C. Civility Summit, aimed at promoting understanding and positive change on East Carolina University's campus and beyond, will feature keynote speaker Opal Tometi, executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.

    The event will be held 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in the Mendenhall Student Center. Following the keynote address there will be breakout sessions with facilitators from ECU and other institutions on topics such as race relations, gender, religion, social media and human trafficking.

    The idea was initiated and organized by students, said Virginia Hardy, vice chancellor for student affairs. "It grew out of the desire to engage students and the community in dialogue, beyond ECU and Greenville, that would build lasting coalitions to enact change in our society," she said.

    Several campus offices and student organizations worked together to sponsor the summit. Tometi was chosen as the keynote speaker because her message of engagement and peaceful communication directly aligns with the goals of the event, said Hardy.

    "Students and the ECU Civility Committee felt her experience with civil discourse would be a great segue into our summit sessions," said Mark Matulewicz, ECU Student Government Association president.

    "From its inception in early 2015, the N.C. Civility Summit caught the interest of many because it involved discussing uncomfortable topics in an accepting and mature environment," added Don Donaldson, president of the Black Student Union. "This event is a great representation of our organization because it shows that we care about the empowerment of African-American people without putting the issues of other ethnicities or general human rights issues on the back burner."

    Hardy said that universities have a responsibility to ensure that students have the skills and knowledge they need to become informed, civically engaged citizens.

    "This generation of students is accustomed to talking via social media but not necessarily engaging in face-to-face communication. This event will provide students an opportunity to engage in dialogue about all sides of a topic in a respectful manner even when there is disagreement," Hardy said. "It is important that students know how to communicate effectively and civilly, especially around tough topics."

    Attendance is free and open to the public. Registration is available through the day of the event at: www.ecu.edu/cs-studentaffair.

    The event is co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, LGBT Resource Office and Student Involvement and Leadership.