CID’s third video competition is now over, and the judges have reviewed all the videos. As a reminder, the instructions were to show that listening is how intercultural dialogue starts, in 90-120 seconds, on video.
An award of excellence goes to Vanessa Milqueya Ventura Alvarez, who is from the Dominican Republic, studying Business Management at Hostos Community College, part of the City University of New York in the USA, for her Associate’s degree.
Title: Why we should listen?
Description: From the first time I heard about this competition from my professor, I was really excited. I wanted to share my story with others. I know how it feels to not be listened to and I’m sure many people around the world have felt the same way. Listening requires all our senses. When we listen, we show respect to others, no matter what race or color. I challenge viewers to prove how great it feels to listen and be listened to.
There were first, second and third place winners, and one award of excellence. Each of these is being highlighted in a separate post, as they warrant our attention. My thanks to the judges of the competition, professionals who made time to review student videos. Thanks also to all the competitors, who took the time to really think about how listening is where intercultural dialogue starts, despite the pandemic.
Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Director
Center for Intercultural Dialogue








Her areas of interest include intercultural communication, interpersonal communication, and conflict management. Specifically, she explores how communication—specifically, how we communicate about difference—serves as both an instrument and a barrier to inclusion and belonging. Along with having taught several intercultural communication courses at various institutions, Salma has also held several non-academic, professional positions with local and international organizations in the field of conflict mediation and cross-cultural dialogue.
3rd prize goes to Veronica Gutierrez, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and has been living in the United States since age 10, and who is studying Global Public Health at Concordia University Texas, in the USA, for her Bachelor’s degree.