Global Leaders Unite at the 2024 Eradicate Hate Global Summit
Members of CARVt attended the 2024 Eradicate Hate Global Summit from October 21-23 in Pittsburgh, PA. This event is the most comprehensive anti-hate conference in the world.
The Eradicate Hate Global Summit opened with a powerful multifaith invocation led by Venerable Dr. Barry Kerzin, Rabbi Hindy Finman, and Rev. Liddy Barlow. Their messages underscored the summit's guiding principles of unity, compassion, and understanding in the fight against hate-driven violence. Co-chairs Mark Nordenberg and Laura Ellsworth, formally introduced the new president of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, Brette Steele. The fourth year of the summit highlighted the work being done to prevent targeted violence across various sectors while also illuminating philanthropic opportunities.
The first day’s agenda was marked by the State of Hate panel, where leading experts Sasha Havlicek (Institute for Strategic Dialogue), George Selim (Anti-Defamation League), and Mark Wallace (Counter Extremism Project) highlighted emerging global trends in hate-fueled violence. Their sobering analysis revealed evolving tactics and underscored the urgent need for proactive measures to address these threats.
Personal narratives took center stage during the Summit Responds session. Survivors and advocates like Ranisa Davidson, Amy Mallinger, and Nick Haberman shared stories of loss, healing, and resilience, offering a moving reminder of the human impact of hate. Later, Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, White House Homeland Security Advisor, delivered a keynote address focusing on federal efforts to counter hate-fueled extremism and ensure public safety.
The day closed with a compelling discussion on Reducing the Risk of Political Violence, featuring insights from Kristina Wilfore, Mary McCord, and Shamil Idriss. Their conversation illuminated strategies to address political violence globally, emphasizing actionable solutions for near-term and long-term challenges.
Day 2 began with an invigorating keynote by Major Garrett, Chief Washington Correspondent at CBS News, who explored how hate can sometimes masquerade as love for one’s country, family, or beliefs. His remarks set the tone for the day's focus on addressing hate through education, youth engagement, and community-driven interventions.
One of the standout sessions was Students Defusing Hate on Campus, which celebrated student-led initiatives fostering coexistence and reducing hate across U.S. campuses. Young leaders shared impactful stories of creating real change through grassroots efforts, offering hope for a more inclusive future.
The afternoon featured a deeply personal address by Gabby Giffords, former congresswoman and co-founder of GIFFORDS, a leading organization in the gun safety movement. Giffords encouraged attendees to remain steadfast in the fight against violence, embodying resilience and determination as she urged collective action.
The final day of the summit opened with the presentation of the inaugural Bridge Builder Award to the late Dr. Jared L. Cohon. Accepting the award on his behalf, Josh Donner reflected on Cohon's legacy of fostering dialogue and building connections. Dr. Cohon was one of the founding members of the Collaboratory Against Hate along with Mark Nordenberg, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh.
Throughout the day, sessions explored themes of bridging divides and engaging communities. The summit's closing discussions provided actionable strategies for creating caring conversations in conflict, emphasizing empathy as a critical tool for overcoming deeply rooted differences.
The Eradicate Hate Global Summit concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, uniting global leaders, survivors, and advocates in their shared mission to create a hate-free society. Next year’s summit will be held September 15-17, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Please visit https://eradicatehatesummit.org/2024-summit/recorded-sessions/ to watch the recorded sessions.