St. John's University Center for Global Development

The mission of the Center for Global Development (CGD) is to invest in educational programs and activities to promote the common good and the advancement of the human community where the dignity of the human person is at the foundation of every process of development.

The term “global” not only encompasses social, cultural and economic structures and processes that foster human progress, but also an awareness of interdependence between people and among nations. This interdependence comes with the responsibility of building a civil society based on a culture of solidarity and social justice. Development, to be authentic, as Pope Paul the Sixth emphasized, must foster human well being, but also each person’s spiritual and moral development.

Human nature is relational, and our responsibility is to further educate people about the process of relational sharing. Building a global community, through projects of social intervention, welfare and development will not fail, if it is grounded on dialogical opening.

The CGD serves as a center for research on issues regarding international development. Drawing upon its network of international specialists as well as its own faculty, staff, and researchers, the activities promoted and offered by the Center include the M.A. in Global Development and Social Justice, conferences and symposia, international internships, intensive certificate programs, as well as joint ventures and projects with other organizations.