Program: Global Understanding Convention 2025

Global Matters: Paths to Trust and Peace

Nov. 12–13, 2025
Institute for Global Understanding, Monmouth University

In Recognition of the United Nations’ Declaration of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”

Day 1—Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Opening Session, 9–10 a.m. (Great Hall Auditorium)

• Welcome: Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D.
• Message from Institute for Global Understanding Director Minna Yu, Ph.D.
• Opening Remarks: Saliba Sarsar, Ph.D., and Rekha Datta, Ph.D.
• Program Introduction: Convention Co-Chairs Jiwon Kim, Ph.D., Jennifer Shamrock, Ph.D., and Kurt Wagner

*GUC Student Poster Design Contest Exhibition for the Opening Session

Morning Sessions, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

• 10–11 a.m., Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Cultivating Global Citizens in a Time of Unprecedented Challenges. Presented by Wendy Morales, Ed.D., and David Aderhold, Ed.D.
• 10–11 a.m., Stafford Student Center 202 C
  • Global Solidarity and Deaf/Disability Justice: Education as a Path to Peace. Presented by Elizabeth Hill, MSW.
• 10–11:00 a.m., Great Hall Auditorium
  • Fulbright Panel. Presented by Meg Forney, Ph.D., and Faith Bates, MFA.
• 10–11 a.m., Stafford Student Center 202 D
  • Fulbright Info Session for Faculty. Presented by Michael Cronin, Ph.D., LCSW.
• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Voices from Abroad: International Perspectives of Living and Learning in the U.S. Presented by the Global Education Office
• 11:40 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Bey Hall Auditorium
  • Sustainable Development Goals—Student PowerPoint Presentations. Presented by Saliba Sarsar, Ph.D.

Afternoon/Evening Sessions, 1–7 p.m.

• 1:15–2:35 p.m., Bey Hall 223
  • Introduction of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and Monmouth University IMA Student Chapter. Presented by Minna Yu, Ph.D.
• 1:30–3 p.m., Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Between the Eagle and the Dragon: Taiwan’s Role in 21st-Century Geopolitics. Presented by Peter Liu, Ph.D.
• 2–3 p.m., Great Hall Auditorium
  • Movement through the Afro Brazilian Art of Capoeira (Workshop). Presented by Kasey Sanders
• 3-4:30 p.m., Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Study Abroad 101: Opportunities & Outcomes – Learn About New Opportunities and Study Abroad and Insights from Monmouth University Alumni on How Study Abroad Transformed Their Professional Journeys
• 3–4:15 p.m., Great Hall Auditorium
  • Transformative Community-Building Interactive Workshop. Presented by Deanna Shoemaker, Ph.D., Dickie Cox, MFA, and Jennifer Shamrock, Ph.D.
• 5–7 p.m., McAllan Hall 227
  • Teaching Global Issues Using UN Sustainable Development Goals: Teacher Candidate Student Showcase Presentations. Presented by Jiwon Kim, Ph.D., and Sandra Zak, Ph.D.

Day 2 – Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Morning Sessions, 10:05 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

• 10:05–11:25 a.m., Bey Hall 230
  • An Indigenist Theory of the State and Global Environmental Crises. Presented by Peter Jacques, Ph.D.
• 10-10:45 a.m.| Great Hall Auditorium
  • Achieving Human Rights Through the Social and Solidarity Economy: A Social Work Pathway to Global Trust and Peace. Presented by Anne Deepak, Ph.D.
• 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Stafford Student Center 202 D
  • Ecosocial Work as a Pathway for Global Climate Justice: Theory, Practice, and Promise. Presented by Rachel Forbes, MSW.
• 11:40 a.m.–1:25 p.m. | Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Building Trust and Peace through Debate: A Monmouth University-Rainbow India Partnership. Presented by Rekha Datta, Ph.D., and Veronica Belloso.
• 12:00–1:30 p.m. | Stafford Student Center 202 B
  • Incorporating Sustainability into a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Course and Trip to Costa Rica (Panel/Roundtable Discussion)

Afternoon/Evening Sessions, 12:30–5:30 p.m.

• 12:30– 2 p.m., Great Hall Auditorium
  • Student Group Session: Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development in Social Work. Each presentation will be approximately 20 minutes.
    • Fast Fashion, Environmental Justice, and the Crisis in Ghana. Presented by Olivia Ababio.
    • Tackling the E-Waste Crisis. Presented by Xena Vasquez.
    • Gentrification within Latin America: Costa Rica. Presented by Laisha Carrillo-Mota
• 1:15–2:35 p.m., Plangere Center 235
  • Cultural Context Conversation Questions (Created by Knight Thompson Speechwork). Presented by Michael Rosas.
• 2:00–3:30 p.m., Stafford Student Center Afflitto Conference Room
  • Exploring a Rights-Based Social Work Model, Grounded in Global Justice to Inform Short Term Faculty Led Study Abroad. Presented by Jamie Nappi, MSW.
• 2:00–3:00 p.m., Stafford Student Center 202 D
  • Debt, Development, and the Environment: Rethinking Latin America’s Lost Decade. Presented by Débora Machado Nunes, Ph.D.
• 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., Great Hall Auditorium Lobby
  • From Strife to Settlement: An Assessment of Conflict Resolutions in the 20th Century (Poster Presentation). Presented by Becky Fisher.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m., Great Hall Auditorium Lobby
  • LuckyTag: a Network of Trust and Support (Poster Presentation). Presented by Jerry Huang, Kelly Yuan, Daniel Crawford, Issac Sasson, and Justin Veltri.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m., Stafford Student Center 202 D
  • Ecopsychology, Climate-Related Stress and Grief, and the Principles of EcoWellness. Presented by Megan Delaney, Ph.D., LPC.
• 4-5 p.m., Stafford Student Center 202 B
  • Integrating Social Work and Holistic Health Practices for Helping Professionals. Presented by Shantice Wright, MSW, MPA, LSW.

Keynote Speaker and Global Leadership Award, 5–6 p.m. (Great Hall Auditorium)

• Keynote Introduction: Monmouth University Provost Richard Veit, Ph.D.
• Keynote Introduction & Global Leadership Award: Rekha Datta, Ph.D. 
• Keynote Speaker: Ms. Deborah A. “Dee” Baker
• Questions from the Floor
• Reception/Global Food Bazaar

Pearson World Cinema Series, 6–9 p.m. (Pozycki Hall Auditorium)

• A screening of “Between Two Worlds” (Emmanuel Carrère, director) Host: Manuel Chávez, Ph.D. Discussant: Marina Vujnovic, Ph.D., A.P.R.