Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston College High School was packed for the launch of a new institute on Monday, teaching students about civil discourse.
The speaker-filled seminar kicked off the Edmond D. Villani ’64 Institute for Civil Discourse, intending to teach students how to communicate despite differences.
Distinguished Faculty Chair Charles Shaw led the event and spoke about the long-term goals for students.
“We want our students to have a really meaningful experience at colleges and universities,” said Shaw. “Not just silo themselves and speak to people who believe what they believe, but to be really open in classes and activities so they’re engaged and challenged to think about what they believe and why they believe it.”
The Institute was made possible by a gift from Villani himself. Shaw said it helps that the duo shares a similar goal.
“[Villani’s] goal is for our students to go out into the world, colleges, universities, workplaces, to be leaders and bridge divides to help address the divisions in the country,” said Shaw. “Doing this, [we’re] not trying to convince anybody of anything, but to really dig into issues in a meaningful and civil way.”
Shaw said the work being done isn’t limited to BC High students.
“We’ve been collaborating with Notre Dame Academy in Hingham, and did some work with them, and we plan to continue that in the future.”
Author and long-time New York Times Columnist David Brooks was the first speaker at the seminar. He said that at a time when it appears America is failing at Democracy, students need to learn the importance of discourse.
“If you’re a citizen of a democracy, and you have to argue with people you disagree with and find awful, you have to have a strong heart and soul,” said Brooks. “You have to be a secure person.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.