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September 10, 2008

Local colleges shift to Interdependence Day

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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The co-founder of Interdependence Day, which is marked this Friday, said the international event was meant to work in conjunction with Sept. 11 commemoration events. Instead, she said, there’s been a local shift by some schools to celebrate one instead of the other.

There are events marking Thursday’s seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that caused mass casualties in New York, Arlington, Va., and Shanksville, including blood drives and memorial services. But there are fewer locally than there were a few years ago, said Sondra Myers of Scranton, who was part of a small group of scholars who created the international observance.

In that same time, there’s been an increase in the number of institutions marking Sept. 12 as Interdependence Day.

Only two local colleges – Wilkes University and Keystone College -- appear to be honoring both days this week.

Wilkes, the University of Scranton, Marywood University and Keystone are among schools around the globe that will mark the sixth annual observance of Interdependence Day with lectures, discussions and other events.

Others, like Luzerne County Community College, have events planned solely for Sept. 11 while Misericordia University, has nothing planned for either event.

The idea for an international day to celebrate and discuss the bonds between citizens of all parts of the world, first discussed by scholars, civic and political leaders in 2000, was pushed to the forefront after Sept. 11, 2001. Interdependence Day was launched at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia on Sept. 12, 2003, and is now celebrated annually.

Myers, a senior fellow for international, civic and cultural projects at the University of Scranton, said the date was deliberately chosen as a post-Sept. 11 symbol of regeneration. She said it is meant to be a time to reflect on the tragedy of the incidents of terror. The day is meant to call on world citizens to acknowledge and reflect on global interdependence and asks them to join together for a global civic society.

Myers said that while Sept. 11 “was certainly the impetus” for the international recognition of the day, the founders had no intention of seeing events specifically marking Sept. 11 diminish, which she admits has happened at some places where Interdependence Day is marked.

“I think it’s important to honor that day of mourning . . . I don’t think it’s a great idea to forget about 9/11,” she said.

A spokesman for one school marking Interdependence Day and Sept. 11 said the two events are intertwined.

“On Interdependence Day, we commemorate the tragic events and loss of life on 9/11 not only in our thoughts but in our actions as well,” said Fran Calpin, spokesman for Keystone College, which is hosting several events on Friday and a moment of silence on Thursday.

“We emphasize the importance of treating each other with dignity and respecting a complex and ever-changing world. All of our events, activities, and speakers help drive home the point that our lives are interconnected to each other on a local, national, and global level,” he said.

Myers said the “bottom line is we’re all citizens of the world,” and that “what we do in one place has a profound impact on people in other places.”

Andrew M. Seder, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7269.

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