December 21, 2009
Reflecting its commitment to preparing students to become
solution-oriented, 21st century global leaders, St. John’s
University this fall became the first university to host the Lower
Hudson Valley Catholic College and University Consortium’s “UN
Global Student Leadership Conference.”
Photo Gallery
The conference, usually held at the United Nations each semester,
took place at the Manhattan campus on Nov. 20. The event featured
global development experts who explored solutions to hunger,
poverty and other social justice issues with undergraduates from
nine local Catholic colleges.
“These days, students are very proactive about global issues — and
this is especially true of students at St. John’s,” said Nashia C.
Whittenburg, Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs at the
University. “We offer students opportunities to sharpen their
global development leadership skills because we are convinced that
the most effective way the world can move forward is through
student activism.”
Drawing a full house, the event was attended by student
leaders from local Catholic institutions, including 60 delegates
from St. John’s three New York City campuses. Entitled “Living the
Millennium
Development Goals: Engagement, Employment, Education =
Empowerrment,” the conference focused on the eight goals the United
Nations has adopted to eradicate extreme poverty worldwide by
2015.
Four University administrators as well as Linda Sama, Ph.D.,
Associate Dean of Global Initiatives, also represented St. John’s.
Dr. Sama was one of the featured speakers, presenting an overview
of the Global Micro-Loan Program (GLOBE), St. John’s new
student-run micro-credit initiative.
“Our purpose is to enable member Catholic institutions of
higher learning to share resources and knowledge about critical
international issues and the role of the U.N.,” said Barbara Ellen
Black, the Consortium’s Executive Director. “The events we sponsor
with our members also provide networking opportunities for our
student base.”
Consortium members in addition to St. John’s are the College of
Mount Saint Vincent, the College of New Rochelle, Dominican
College, Iona College, Manhattan College, Molloy College, Mount
Saint Mary College and Saint Thomas Aquinas College.
Seeking Justice through
Development
Former Ambassador from Venezuela Oscar R. de Rojas’s opening
remarks on the harmful concentration of wealth resonated with his
audience. Also thought-provoking, students said, were comments by
Ambassador Shigeki Sumi, Permanent Mission of Japan to the U.N.,
who discussed Americans’ “often narrow” view of global
development.
Morgan Zajowski ‘13C was among the St. John’s students intrigued by
the Ambassador’s remarks. “We all need to broaden our vision and
knowledge concerning global development,” said Morgan, an English
major at the Staten Island campus and member of St. John’s unique
Ozanam Scholars Program, which combines academics, research and
service.
“If I hadn’t come here today,” Morgan added, “I might not have
learned about Japan’s impressive sustainability initiatives. It
helps to know what other countries are doing, and what students at
other colleges are doing to promote equitable global
development.”
Sylvia Sam-Mensah, a sophomore accounting major, observed, “I have
seen this kind of economic inequity and its results first-hand in
Ghana, where I come from. One of the reasons I came today was to
find out what people in other parts of the world are doing to
eliminate economic injustice worldwide and to see how I could get
involved.”
For Sylvia Sam-Mensah ‘12TCB, the discussion highlighted issues
apparent in her home country. “I personally witnessed economic
inequity — and the harsh results — back in Ghana,” she observed.
“One reason I came here today was to learn how people in other
parts of the world are trying to end economic injustice, and the
ways I can get involved.”
Putting a Face on Poverty
Joining the speakers, Dr. Sama discussed an innovative St. John’s
effort to end poverty through “micro-credit loans” — very small
loans for aspiring entrepreneurs who have little or no access to
traditional credit. The Global
Micro-Loan Program (GLOBE) is St. John’s student-run
initiative.
GLOBE, as Dr. Sama explained, targets small businesses in the
“poorest of the poor” parts of the developing world. “People in
those places are simply unable to secure traditional bank loans,”
she said. “GLOBE is just one way that St. John’s is committed to
helping the world’s disadvantaged secure the tools they need to
ultimately help themselves.”
Dr. Sama linked GLOBE’s achievements to the U.N.’s goals. She told
listeners that since its inception in January 2009, GLOBE has
raised $55,000, approved 12 loan applications from seven countries
and granted four. Dr. Sama added that she is especially proud that
96 percent of loan recipients so far are female.
Students like Hadia Ali Sheerazi ‘10C found the program
inspiring. “Microfinance is the key to the future,” said senior
Hadia, a government and politics major who plans to participate in
GLOBE this spring. “I’m very excited that St. John’s is giving me a
chance to help realize the U.N.’s goal of empowering women around
the world.”