The International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Global Citizenship Fellows Program study tour in Rome, Italy took place at a critical time in international politics. War had been raging in Iran for several months, hurting the global economy and affecting countries around the world; international institutions responsible for facilitating cooperation were steadily losing influence; countries all over the world faced extreme levels of polarization amidst critical elections; and my country, the United States, was actively tarnishing its international reputation as a virtuous leader. For these reasons, I was relatively pessimistic about the potential for international cooperation in the near future. If dialogue and compromise seemed infeasible domestically, I could hardly imagine the challenge posed by international cooperation. I arrived in Rome prepared for cultural differences and disagreements, but I hoped that solid friendships could grow as the week progressed.
However, my worries were immediately invalidated upon arrival. The friendships I thought might develop over several days instead formed within hours as we discussed shared interests such as the World Cup, movies, music, and politics. The people I thought might have completely different interests and experiences actually shared much in common with me. This was in part due to globalization, but also to our shared humanity.
Shared humanity was a consistent theme throughout the week, displaying itself in a variety of settings. I first reflected on it following the Speaking Across Conflict Workshop developed by Resetting the Table, where group members shared personal experiences that developed their moral outlooks. In this workshop, I heard friends from across the world share extremely similar hardships, lessons, and emotions. It was honestly remarkable how people who had only met a couple of days prior and had lived completely different lives were able to relate so closely with one another on deeply personal topics. Suffering, which is experienced by all, clearly served as an extremely effective connector. If we can relate to each other’s suffering, perhaps it is always possible to find a way to connect.
Likewise, during our site visits to the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica, I witnessed friends from different religious backgrounds and different cultures react with similar awe and appreciation. While we may have all been moved for various reasons, appreciating these masterpieces connected us and became an important shared experience. Additionally, through hearing others' perspectives and reflections, I felt I gained a fuller understanding of the art in front of me, invoking new emotions and impressions. The universal appreciation of the architecture, beauty, and art reinforced our similarities despite cultural differences.
Ultimately, our shared human experiences helped connect us, while our differences broadened our perspectives and offered valuable insights. My favorite memories from this week will likely be the dinner conversations, where I learned about culture, struggles, and perspectives from around the world. Our differences were largely listened to, celebrated, and accepted without sparking conflict.
The ability of a group like ours to bond so quickly and so well despite our many differences has given me renewed hope for international cooperation. It has made me realize that we are much more similar than we think, that connection is not inhibited by borders, that differences should be appreciated, and that, fundamentally, we share goals, values, and experiences. This program will certainly shape my career in international politics and my optimism for what is possible. If we can find a way to emphasize our shared humanity above our individual greed, I believe we can achieve a more just global system that fosters cooperation.
