Berkley Center

As the fall 2023 semester progresses, the Global Citizenship Curriculum Project of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) is having a growing impact around the world. Building upon the foundation laid in spring 2023, this semester the project has so far engaged over 700 students across almost 50 courses at 31 Jesuit universities in 17 countries, ranging from the United States to Zimbabwe to Japan, weaving a rich tapestry of global perspectives.

This project aims to embed the Global Citizenship Course Module, which includes readings and recorded lectures, into diverse courses at Jesuit universities around the world. This semester, the module has been incorporated into courses as wide-ranging as Global Citizenship and Social Justice, European Union Studies, and Professional Issues in Physical Therapy. The project is inspired by the vision of Jesuit Superior General Rev. Arturo Sosa for "education for world citizenship." The cornerstone of this project is the Global Citizenship Student Dialogues, where students taking a course incorporating the module at different universities around the world during a given semester come together to explore two central questions: “How do you experience global issues in your local community?" and “How can students at Jesuit universities work together to have a positive impact as global citizens?”

"Participating in the Global Citizenship Dialogue imparted invaluable insights,” said Sanjay Prajapat from St. Joseph's University, Bangalore, India. “One of the most impactful takeaways was a heightened awareness of the ways in which individuals can contribute to mitigating climate change.”

“The exchange of ideas with individuals from different parts of the world…highlighted the universality of certain challenges and the importance of collaborative solutions."

Vera Schneeweiß of the Munich School of Philosophy highlighted how she "really liked discussing different issues with students from all over the world, whom [she] would never have met elsewhere."

Deon Braggs from St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, India, echoed these sentiments. "Engaging in open discussions with diverse perspectives not only broadens your worldview but also cultivates empathy, encouraging a sense of shared responsibility for global issues."

The dialogues served as a melting pot of ideas and perspectives, allowing students from various academic disciplines to share their insights and experiences. Whether it is discussing the intricacies of human rights in Africa, exploring the impacts of climate change in the Philippines, or delving into the meaning of Jesuit values of intercultural dialogue and service to the common good, students navigate a range of topics with a common goal of understanding and promoting global citizenship.

As the project moves forward, its success has laid the groundwork for further expansion. The Global Citizenship Fellows program is set to convene a select group in Rome for an intensive study tour and in-person dialogues in June 2024. Selected fellows will meet several times on Zoom during the first half of 2024 to develop concrete ideas about advancing global citizenship across the global Jesuit network. In Rome, they will have an opportunity to continue their conversations, present their ideas, and take part in site visits at the Vatican and throughout the city. On their return, fellows will share their reflections about the experience on the project website.

The Global Citizenship Curriculum Project, led by the IAJU Task Force on Global Citizenship and administered through the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, stands as a testament to the power of education in bridging cultural divides and fostering a more interconnected, empathetic, and responsible global community. It is made possible through the generosity of the GHR Foundation, which supports the Berkley Center’s Culture of Encounter Project.