Dear GCI Community, We are truly living in historic and unprecedented times. First the coronavirus took over the world, with an insurmountable number of jobs and lives swept away. Few imagined a daily routine requiring self-quarantining and social distancing would extend from weeks to months and possibly longer. Our lives have changed and we are all adjusting to a new norm while grappling with the accompanying social, emotional and economic challenges. And now we are seeing protests around the globe as the world reacts to police brutality and the senseless killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The anger is understandable – our world is increasingly divisive and we are all hurting and in pain – but violence, vandalism and looting are not the answer. We commend those who convey their frustration by engaging in meaningful dialogue and peaceful protest and are encouraged that so many from so many different backgrounds and walks of life are doing so. Despite these difficult and uncertain times, the solidarity and support we see within the GCI family remain strong as we find innovative ways to connect with one another and have meaningful conversations, including through our recently-inaugurated virtual Harkness®* table discussions. A conversation around racism and social unrest will be taking place among our Ambassadors. At GCI, we envision and strive to create a global community where individuals embrace their unique colorful stories and cultures as they design and implement solutions to global issues that transcend social, economic and political boundaries. We are working hard to engage, educate and empower our youth so that we can create a better reality where people are not judged by their race, nationality, religion or sexual orientation and have the mindset, tools and resources to be effective and ethical leaders. GCI's work is critical and has never been more important. We are continuing to push our mission forward, spread our impact to more youth and work together to make the future a bright and welcoming place for all. We are grateful to you as an important member of our GCI community. Together, we can make a difference. Sincerely,
Yumi Kuwana President and Founder Global Citizens Initiative *Harkness® is a registered trademark of Phillips Exeter Academy
Comments