Circle

It’s been a wild summer in New England—days of hellish heat and yellowed smokey skies followed by winds carrying sweatshirt temperatures. The weather is apt metaphor for the state of the world. Exhausted by ceaseless vigilance for what comes next and the constant refrain of “this isn’t normal”, it’s easy to lose one’s bearings. I’ve been especially gratified to find a book that proved shelter from the storm, Eleanor Dunfey-Freiburger’s Counter Culture: Clams, Convents, and a

Reaching the midpoint of my master’s in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame has been a moment of profound reflection. Beyond the academic rigor, it’s the heart of this community that has truly filled my cup. The skills I’m gaining here feel less like 'tools' and more like a commitment—one I am eager to pour back into organizations like GCC that are changing lives. Artist Akosua Bandele, Stanley Thomas, and Marguerite Mariama A special shoutout to Marguerite Mariama, who ha

My relationship with Global Citizens Circle started in 2023 while participating in the Young Leaders Fellowship program with MCW Global, one of GCC’s partner organizations. Instantly drawn to GCC’s mission and the vibrant community it fosters, I was eager to learn more and get involved. That curiosity led me to reach out, and soon after, I found myself leading a Circle focused on the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and mental health. But my journey with G

Over the past year, we’ve celebrated the 50th anniversary of Global Citizens Circle—reflecting with gratitude on a remarkable journey, the people who’ve shaped it, and the lasting impact of its work. As we honor this legacy, we are also looking ahead—committed to ensuring that our mission continues to thrive for generations to come. On May 23, so many came together globally to celebrate the 90th birthday of GCC’s founder, Jerry Dunfey. As part of this heartfelt tribute, a ver

Throughout the past 50 years, Global Citizens Circle has created essential dialogue around serious societal issues throughout the U.S. and across the world, especially at Circle events. I appreciate the sense of connection each Circle has given me, the opportunities to connect with others globally, and, notably, the access to people I most likely would never have experienced otherwise – and for that I’m grateful. One Circle, in particular, the first virtual Circle actually,

The lived experiences of some elders like me know that LOVE is the answer. I know many of you are tired of the darkness that is engulfing our world, from endless international wars to political battles here in the United States. Most of us are fed up with the toxicity spewing from so many. We find ways to escape, but denial and retreat do not solve the problem. We do not have to live like this! We do not have to be consumed by darkness. With the love light residing within us

Like many of you, I’ve nearly gotten whiplash this past month in response to the onslaught of nefarious actions throughout the U.S. and all that's in tandem worldwide. Everyone around me – from family to colleagues to friends – seems to be battling such an array of emotions, from astonishment to fear to anger to despair, and just about everything in between and beyond. It's a balancing act between wanting to stay informed and becoming mired in the news. There’s been a reel f

Regardless of where we are in the world, we’re witnessing division—pulling so many of us farther apart in opposite directions. For those of us who continue to hope, and to believe in the power of respectful dialogue, Global Citizens Circle (GCC) offers pathways so that we may share this hope and belief with others. Then, they too can create ways forward to positive engagement in their communities. One critical tool is GCC’s Dialogue2Action series, based on our Circle events,

As an educator we’re not supposed to have favorites, but one of the courses I enjoying teaching the most at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is our Communication Studio class. It’s a hands-on class designed to give our communication majors real-world experience. It pairs students with local businesses and nonprofits. The clients share a project they’re working on or a communication challenge they’re facing and work with the students to find and implement a solution. L