SC Connecticut News

In the latest episode of the Yale Divinity School (YDS) "Quadcast" series, Vanessa Avery '02 M.A.R. engages in a conversation with host Emily Judd '19 M.A.R. about her extensive experience in interfaith peacebuilding and the role of architecture in fostering community cohesion.

During the interview, Avery reflects on significant moments from her peacebuilding sessions, highlighting one instance where a participant confronted and changed her misconceptions about Muslims. "She was crying," Avery recounted, "and she looked at the Muslims in our group and she said, 'I’m so sorry for having thought this way about you.'" Avery also discussed how architecture can narrate people's stories and emphasized the transformative power of hospitality. "Hospitality is the way we turn a prejudiced world around," she stated, "one heart at a time."

The episode is available for listening on SoundCloud.

Avery has dedicated over 25 years to building interfaith relations, advocating for workplace religious diversity and inclusion, and contributing as a religious studies scholar and educator. She currently serves as Executive Director of Sharing Sacred Spaces, an organization that leverages architectural spaces to foster community engagement in a non-threatening manner. Additionally, she holds a fellowship in Executive and Professional Education at Hartford International University and has previously lectured at YDS.

Emily Judd, the host of YDS Quadcast, is Senior Communications Specialist at the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. This international humanitarian organization receives support from Pope Francis, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and leaders from the United Arab Emirates. Judd's background includes journalism work in the Middle East.

Listeners can access past episodes of YDS Quadcast or download transcripts from recent episodes.