Intercultural Summit for L.A. Youth -- Conflict resolution, dialogue forum began in a course on intercultural leadership and organizational change.

More than 200 young people from schools around Los Angeles gathered on April 3, 2009 at Loyola Marymount University to engage in open dialogue about issues such as race and ethnicity, and to learn progressive tools and methods to deal with intercultural conflict.

Henry Ward, Director of Intercultural Affairs, saw a need and opportunity for the summit when he created it ten years ago. “Yearly, we witnessed violent racial conflicts on middle and high school campuses in Los Angeles,” he said. “Students in my class wanted to take the principles they had learned and share them with high school students.”

Senior Joe Dempsey is one of Ward’s students. During his freshman year, Dempsey attended the Intercultural Retreat, which is part of Liberal Arts 292, the Intercultural Practicum course that Ward teaches.

 “I became more aware and passionate about helping this cause because I was able to put a face to any issue by working with the high school students,” Dempsey said about taking part in the summit.

Ward is proud of what the summit has become, thanks to the participating students.

“LMU students use various tools and strategies to promote justice and equality on campus, in our community, and all over the world. Their efforts are a prime example of being men and women for others.”

For more information about the summit or the Intercultural Practicum course, contact Henry Ward, Director of Intercultural Affairs, at hward@lmu.edu or 310.338.5808.