IAJU Global Citizenship Fellows Program
Building a Culture of Encounter
The IAJU Global Citizenship Fellows Program, hosted by the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) and the Berkley Center, brings together a select group of students from the global Jesuit university network to enhance the understanding and practical application of global citizenship.
The fellows participate in a series of online dialogues leading up to an in-person dialogue and study tour, often coinciding with the IAJU International Assembly. The program's goal is to navigate the challenges and opportunities for promoting global citizenship across various university and country contexts, inspiring the creation of innovative, actionable proposals.
Eligibility requires students to participate in a Global Student Dialogue as part of the Global Citizenship Curriculum Project and complete an application form.
The Global Citizenship Fellows Program first took place in the 2021-2022 academic year, with online dialogues culminating in an in-person meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, in August 2022 on the occasion of the IAJU Assembly. During the second iteration of the program, fellows journeyed to Rome, Italy in June 2024. A third cohort of fellows traveled to Bogotá, Colombia for the IAJU Assembly in June 2025. The 2025-2026 cohort will travel to Rome, Italy during the summer of 2026. Students participating in a registered course within the IAJU Global Citizenship Curriculum Project are eligible to apply. The application for the 2025-2026 cohort is now open.
Learn more about the current and past cohorts of fellows and their program on the page below.
In his 2020 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls on us "to rediscover our vocation as citizens of our respective nations and of the entire world, builders of a new social bond"; to "direct society to the pursuit of the common good"; and "to persevere in consolidating its political and social order." As a global network committed to advancing Pope Francis' vision, the IAJU is well-positioned to promote the idea and practice of global citizenship, through teaching, research, and service to the wider world.
The IAJU Task Force on Global Citizenship has taken the lead on developing a six-module curriculum and implementing a fellowship program, designed for undergraduate students, to advance the teaching of global citizenship across the network of more than 200 Jesuit colleges and universities worldwide. Thomas Banchoff (Georgetown University/Berkley Center) and David Kaulem (Arrupe Jesuit University) are co-chairs of the task force.
Each cohort of Global Citizenship Fellows engages in monthly virtual discussions that emphasize facilitated dialogue and addressing pressing issues related to global citizenship. These sessions help fellows explore topics such as climate change, economic and social justice, and global governance and security, while fostering deeper understanding through diverse perspectives. Throughout the program, fellows develop actionable proposals to advance global citizenship within their universities and home countries. The program culminates in an in-person study tour that often coincides with the IAJU International Assembly to further engage in workshops and local site visits.
Application Process
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Global Citizenship Fellows
This map highlights the 22 countries of the previous Global Citizenship Fellows. Learn more about the fellows by clicking on each highlighted country.
IAJU Global Citizenship Fellows Program Subprojects Slider
