Cultural Emergence Through Academic Scholarship, Vincentian Leadership and Global Citizenship

SJU Ozanam Scholars: Accra, Ghana

Seraiah Romero with Catherine Prendergast, DC

(Video credits to the Ozanam Scholars Program, produced by Seraiah Romero and music by Yemi Alade ft. Sauti Sol).

Advocacy at the United Nations requires a global perspective. Understanding what others in the world experience enriches one’s ability to influence policies which improve lives. This fall, we welcome Seraiah Romero as one of two interns with our Daughters of Charity United Nations NGO Office. Seraiah recently journeyed to Ghana with the Ozanam Scholars Program at St. John’s University. Her cultural, academic, and service experience will provide excellent background for Seraiah’s upcoming UN work.

The Ozanam Scholars Program of St. John’s University, New York provides a platform for students to critically examine the systems that perpetuate poverty and take action to advance social justice globally.

In May 2018, nine Ozanam Scholar seniors participated in a two-week research and service trip to Accra, Ghana. As part of the program’s focus on academic scholarship, Vincentian leadership and global citizenship, Scholars had the opportunity to utilize their career interests and academic major to address social justice issues and contribute to the work of various organizations. Organizations included: St. John of God Clinic, Kressner Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer Children‘s Home, Developing Unity Nurturing Knowledge (DUNK), TV Africa, and the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF).

In addition, Scholars participated in a host of cultural activities, including West African dancing, drumming, cooking, batik and football. They also visited Kumasi and Cape Coast Castle, formerly the largest slave-trading center in West Africa. Click here to watch a video of their experience, or click the link below.