Creating a Global Community:
Building Foundations for Effective Leadership & Change

“As I go through history, over and over again people find something in them that requires them to stand up for what is right. I wonder what it's going to be for you that requires you to stand up for someone who's different."   - Eboo Patel

“Creating a Global Community: Building Foundations for Effective Leadership and Change,” was the theme for IHMEC’s inaugural Student Leadership Day, supported by National City/now a part of PNC corporate bank.  Over 110 students participated in the day that featured a keynote address by Eboo Patel, founder and Executive Director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based institution building the global interfaith youth movement.  As a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, he is working to realize the President’s priority of interfaith cooperation. Recently chosen by Harvard’s Kennedy School Review as one of five future policy leaders to watch; Eboo was honored as a recipient of the 2009 Roosevelt Institute’s Freedom of Worship Medal; and was chosen as one of the 2009 America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report.

The goal of the Student Leadership Day was to increase awareness and knowledge of the Holocaust and genocide and to challenge students to think about lessons that can be learned from the past.  That they can work to prevent genocide by raising awareness, by voicing opposition to the prejudices and indifference encountered and by engaging in activities that promote global peace and understanding.  Student participants were nominated by their teachers to attend the program and were proven leaders in their schools and communities.  Many of the students were part of school Peer Mediation groups, STAND an anti-genocide student network, Amnesty International; UN Model Charter Clubs, or Student Council. 

Participants engaged in a number of activities, including working with Holocaust survivors and viewing the Karkomi Permanent Exhibition.  During lunch students heard remarks from IHMEC Executive Director, Richard Hirschhaut and Aavo Reinfeldt, Executive Vice President of National City/PNC Corporate Bank.  “What we really need to talk about is transforming ourselves for the future and that is what today is about….  Every time I come to a place like this I do it to awaken my spirit….It starts with me and it starts with you,” said Aavo.

Program generously supported by