COMPEAR and GoAbroad.com have formed a partnership to collaboratively highlight the experiences of the underrepresented around the globe, as well as how all of us can respectfully and actively disrupt practices and policies that make room for inequality and discrimination in international education.
One result of our partnership is the 2022 Global Respectful Disruption Summit—a joint effort to bring together like-minded individuals for learning and discussion. This will be real talk. This will be uncensored. This will highlight underrepresented voices.
When: Friday, April 22, 2022 (8:00 AM Eastern – 4:00 PM Eastern)
Where: ONLINE
What is the definition of respectful disruption?
re·spect·ful / rəˈspek(t)fəl / adjective
- feeling or showing deference and respect.
dis·rup·tion / disˈrəpSH(ə)n / noun
- disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
- radical change to an existing industry or market due to technological innovation.
Based on the literal definitions of each word, respectful disruption as a concept is defined as showing respect while interrupting a current activity or creating radical change.
This is what COMPEAR Global Education Network was created to do—their mission is to create a more equitable world by respectfully disrupting inequitable systems and practices through innovative educational training, guided community discussion, personal development, and resources.
As we gear up for the first annual Global Respectful Disruption Summit, we asked our amazing planning committee what respectful disruption means to them. Below is what they had to say.
What does respectful disruption mean to you?
“There can be no justice without respectful disruption.”
Christina Thompson
Founder of Compear Global Education Network & Director of Partnership Development and Diversity Initiatives at Barcelona SAE
“In JEDI, I can’t care more about your comfort than I care about your growth. Your growth will produce a new sense/level of comfort.”
Kory M. Saunders
Director of Inclusion Initiatives at AIFS Abroad
“With less focus on respectfulness and the politics around it and more on the disruptive force that comes with speaking truth to power—it’s a recipe for getting into good trouble that can serve as a catalyst for real, actionable social change in academia, study abroad, and the lives of all of those who are fully engaged.”
Berginald Rash
International Performing Artist, TEDx Speaker, Devon & Burgani Artist
“Respectful disruption is the driver of any change, any justice…any peace.”
Sharon Stone
Founder, Sherrie Design
Graphic Designer & Ceramic Artist
“Respectful disruption means making real progress on accessibility to international education. It means starting conversations and asking why an industry based on meaningful global experiences seems to be open only to the privileged.”
Cathryn Fortuna
Editorial Strategist at GoAbroad.com
“Respectful disruption is the act of changing another person’s perspective for the better.”
Daniel François Díaz
MAIS, Director & International Student Advisor The Office of Global & Off-Campus Initiatives Guilford College
“Inspiring radical change in a way that is actionable and real—even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Kayla Patterson
COO at GoAbroad.com
Join us for the 2022 Global Respectful Disruption Summit to learn more and join our movement!
The 2022 Global Respectful Disruption Summit is a joint effort to bring together like-minded individuals for learning and discussion. This will be real talk. This will be uncensored. This will highlight underrepresented voices.
When: Friday, April 22, 2022 (8:00 AM Eastern – 4:00 PM Eastern)
Where: ONLINE