Mr. Ramzi Asali, Lecturer in the Department of English at Bethlehem University, has recently participated in the United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program, organized by Seton Hall University and held at the UN Association of the USA and the UN Headquarters in New York City.
This week-long program brought together university faculty, graduate students, and professionals from across the globe for site visits to UN agencies and in-depth discussions with senior UN officials. It offered a critical exploration of the UN’s work, highlighting the challenges it faces as well as the importance of its advocacy, global communication, and normative leadership roles.
A core focus of the program was on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to sustainability education in higher education. Key sessions explored global advocacy and communication strategies, SDG branding, fundraising, recruitment, intercultural communication, and the importance of designing culturally sensitive programs. These themes strongly align with Bethlehem University’s growing emphasis on service-learning and its integration with the SDGs.
Reflecting on his experience, Mr. Asali shared “As an educator in communication and public relations, I found the program both intellectually and professionally rewarding. It provided excellent opportunities to connect with senior UN officials and fellow educators, particularly from Seton Hall University, an institution that shares Bethlehem University’s Catholic identity and mission of social justice, global citizenship, and community engagement.”
Mr. Asali emphasized that the connections forged during the program will support future academic collaborations and contribute to the development of globally informed, locally impactful service-learning initiatives at Bethlehem University.
