By Sean Grossnickle
A delegation from Fordham IPED was honored to attend the “Pro-Pontifice Dinner” hosted by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice (CAPP) Foundation, an organization dedicated to spreading the values of Catholic Social Teaching, and sponsored by Fordham University. This dinner is held every year to honor the Vatican secretary of state who comes to NYC for the opening of the UN General Assembly. This year the dinner honored His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin who spoke on the challenges of living in a digital age and being constantly engrossed on a “virtual journey to nowhere.” He urged the crowd to consider if they were using technology or it was using them, and to give special attention on how technology can be used as tool to help people flourish.
Cardinal Parolin also noted the impact of IPED he has seen: “Over the years, a significant number of [interns at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations] have come from Fordham University and specifically from the Master Program in International Political Economy and Development, known – in true UN style – by its acronym: IPED. Additionally, some former interns and indeed Mission staff have also been offered fellowships under the same IPED program… Perhaps I might ask you to consider supporting the Holy See through the IPED intern program. It would be a practical way to offer real and much needed assistance to the work of the Mission, whilst also furthering the educational opportunities of deserving students.”
IPED has a long history of working with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, providing 1-2 highly qualified interns per year to support their work. IPED also has a long partnership of working with CAPP in various capacities, including having Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton to come speak with students and professors in the fall of 2021. Additionally, IPED sponsors up to four students per year to receive practical training with Catholic Relief Services for six months overseas. Fordham University is proud to leverage its Catholic identity and mission to provide meaningful opportunities for students to go out and change the world.