Caldwell, NJ – Caldwell University’s 5th annual Social Justice Symposium, RE:Claim Truth, attracted over 350 attendees and prominent speakers to participate in a day of reflection, dialogue and action. Featuring enlightening breakout sessions and access to community partners, the symposium offers an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together.

This year’s theme, RE:Claim Truth, “was inspired by the sisters of Saint Dominic who encouraged us to explore what Veritas means in the modern world. For those of you who don’t know, Veritas is Latin for truth,” said Institute Co-Director, Stephanie Sitnick, Ph.D.. “In an era of alternative facts and the proliferation of artificial intelligence, the meaning of truth often feels muddled.” Veritas is the foundation of the four Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and mission.

Break out sessions focused on the ethical integration of artificial intelligence in higher education, strategies for teaching and discussing social justice in an increasingly polarized climate, and ways to identify and avoid spreading misinformation.

The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell were in attendance, offering sponsorship and inspiration for the symposium.

NJ’s Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Dale Caldwell, who gave welcoming remarks at the opening session, drew on his years as a pastor and spoke about the big picture of social justice and the importance of speaking up for those who can’t make their voices heard. “One of the things that you learn from the Civil Rights Movement is that to whom much is given, much is expected,” Dr. Caldwell said. “And that so often we think… ‘I’m a poor student, or I don’t have money, or I don’t have this, or I don’t have that,’ but we’re all privileged… The opportunity to go to a wonderful University like this is a gift that many people don’t have.”

Featured Speaker, Yolanda Melville, Director of the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, discussed the challenges facing her team when creating and defending legislation. She then encouraged the young people in the audience to continue the fight.

“Much of what we do as government leaders would never go far enough. To our students representing Caldwell University and educational institutions around our state, your calling to be change agents at a time such as this is just what we need. You are not the next generation. You are the now generation.”

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver reflected on the importance of seeking truth, saying “We are not post-truth because in our lives and in our media and in our politics, the truth matters more now than ever. Lies protect the powerful. Truth protects everyone else.”

The congresswoman concluded her remarks by thanking everyone in attendance for their commitment to social justice. “I want to thank you for being here today. It takes a lot just to show up, especially in this moment that we are in right now, to be in a space where we’re talking about social justice. We’re talking about truth, we’re speaking truth to power in these walls. In this environment, many people do not have half the courage to show up in the moment right now. They don’t, and so give yourselves a round of applause.”

Tasia Burgess, co-director of the Social Justice Institute, took a moment to thank the event’s sponsors and thought partners. The symposium was made possible thanks to The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, The Eileen Jones Multicultural Center, Stacey Murphy, an anonymous alumna, PSE&G and individual donations, as well as support from Caldwell University faculty and staff.

Keynote speaker, Heidi Schlumpf, Senior Correspondent for Commonweal Magazine and co-host of the Francis Effect podcast, drew on her decades of experience in journalism to discuss the importance of seeking truth and best practices for identifying and combatting misinformation. She discussed a journalist’s role in truth seeking, saying “the adage there says, If one person says it’s raining and another person says it’s not, your job isn’t to report both sides. Your job is to look out the window and see what’s actually happening.”

Reflecting on the day, Helen Antoniou McGowan, JD, co-director of the Social Justice Institute, said, “We are so proud of how the symposium has grown in size and breadth every year, and are grateful to work at an institution committed to providing a safe space for programming addressing the critical justice and equity issues of our day.”

Attendees left the event feeling inspired to continue the work of social justice beyond the event, remembering the advice given by Dr. Jeffrey Senese, Caldwell University President.  “Don’t go away today and just consume it yourself. Spread it in your work, spread it in your lives. We want to make an impact on social justice in the community, not just here today, not just at the University today, but beyond that.”