Directed by Professor Stephen Hollis and well trained for the vigors of theater life, FDU students rise to the challenge of Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona.”
The United Nations Academic Impact promises to address worldwide challenges and engage students in global concerns.
Catch a sneak preview of the award-winning film “Favorite Son” with writer, director and professor Howard Libov.
Professor David Hanson’s images of the World Trade Center have become a moving historical tribute.
John Vitale describes his FDU study abroad experience in Japan, from mountain villages to the bustling Tokyo.Alumni Profile
International Alumnus Finds Global Success
John Mangeli, BS'64 (M)Alumni Profile
Reaching Out to Stricken Haiti
Donna Bruno Stuart, AA'60 (T)
o spoke U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the official launch of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI).
FDU is more than willing to do its part. The University was the first to join the alliance, and President J. Michael Adams spoke on behalf of the inaugural members at the opening ceremony November 18 at U.N. Headquarters.
“We are extremely proud to be the first to have formally pledged our support, and we promise to be active partners in the program,” Adams said. “We have enjoyed a long and close partnership with the United Nations, and we are very pleased to strengthen our association and provide our students with even more opportunities to make a difference in their world.”
An initiative of the U.N. Department of Public Information, the UNAI unites educational institutions and the United Nations in an alliance designed to engage faculty and students in activities that further the goals and principles of the world body. More than 300 university presidents, senior faculty members and student representatives joined the U.N. secretary-general and other senior U.N. officials for the launch, which included a two-day conference and an inaugural concert featuring the Asia-Pacific United Orchestra.
The Academic Impact (www.academicimpact.org) was first unveiled two years ago by Ban during his address at FDU’s 2008 Academic Convocation. The membership now includes more than 500 institutions from nearly 100 countries.
Member institutions commit themselves to a set of 10 principles derived from the U.N. Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. These include human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution. The institutions agree to participate in at least one activity or project every year — research projects, papers, conferences, classroom lessons, extracurricular activities, etc. — that supports and advances those principles or supports U.N.-related efforts.
 The United Nations Academic Impact is informed by a commitment to support and advance 10 basic principles: 1. A commitment to the principles inherent in the United Nations Charter as values that education seeks to promote and help fulfill.2. A commitment to human rights, among them freedom of inquiry, opinion and speech. 3. A commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity. 4. A commitment to the opportunity for every interested individual to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the pursuit of higher education. 5. A commitment to building capacity in higher-education systems across the world. 6. A commitment to encouraging global citizenship through education. 7. A commitment to advancing peace and conflict resolution through education. 8. A commitment to addressing issues of poverty through education. 9. A commitment to promoting sustainability through education. 10. A commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding, and the “unlearning” of intolerance, through education. |
an said at the opening gathering, “We need ideas. Ideas can bring the United Nations to life. … A single idea can generate a breakthrough that saves millions of lives. A new technology can spare whole populations from hardship. Even a theory can unlock action for peace. … By sharing ideas, across borders and disciplines, we can find solutions to the interconnected problems that cause so much suffering.”
By joining the UNAI, Ban told higher-education leaders, “you get more than the immense personal satisfaction of teaching, learning and individual research; you get the even greater pride of seeing your scholarship help people cope with their day-to-day struggles. … Each of you has the power to inspire scores of students. Each of you has the dedication to make a difference.”
Adams said, “The critical role of higher education to address global challenges is widely acknowledged, but we often lack the will — or maybe just lack the means — to bring real-world issues into the classroom. The Academic Impact represents a unique opportunity to reinforce our words with action; to do more than simply speak about global problems; to empower our faculty and students to do something about them.”
He added, “The Academic Impact represents more than just a partnership of higher education and the United Nations, it represents a commitment to the future; a commitment to the next generation.”
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FDU NOW: The Campaign for Fairleigh Dickinson University
FDU Magazine is published twice yearly by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1000 River Road, H-DH3-14, Teaneck, N.J. 07666.
FDU Magazine welcomes your comments. Use the comments box above or e-mail Rebecca Maxon, editor, at maxon@fdu.edu.
J. Michael Adams, President; Richard Reiss, Senior Vice President for University Advancement; Angelo Carfagna, Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Communications; Okang McBride, Director of Alumni Relations; Carol Kuzen Black, Director of Publications/Senior Editor; Rebecca Maxon, Editor and Web Designer;
Contributors: Howard Libov, Tom Nugent, Melissa Payton, John Vitale
Photo/Illustration Credits: Bill Blanchard, Bill Cardoni, Gary Darden, Favorite Son Productions, Don Hamerman, David Hanson, Ted Horowitz Photography, Dan Landau, Mike Malone, Morteza Nikoubazl, Gloria Pastorino, Nick Romanenko, Danny Schwartz, Jayson Scrimizzi, Daniel Twomey, John Vitale
For a print copy of FDU Magazine, featuring these and other stories, contact Rebecca Maxon, editor, at maxon@fdu.edu.
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