We usually hear from Concordia International University Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Kang. We’ve seen and heard from Concordia College of Benguet Honorary President, Mr. Jung Ho Ryu. We have also heard from other Concordia International University officials.
It’s about time we heard from Concordia Global President, Mr. Charles Mercieca, Ph.D.
Concordia has branches in several countries in the world and we’re still expanding, so it is understandable that the Global President of Concordia cannot be at all those places at the same time. But he has not forgotten anyone. In fact, recently, he made a couple of videos in order to do two important things: to introduce the main purpose of Concordia Foundation and all its subsidiaries, and to congratulate our graduates.
It is a given that people go to college or university to study and develop the skills and qualifications they need to get a job and career in their chosen fields. But universities and colleges have various goals. Therefore, what is the goal of Concordia International University?
Mr. Charles Mercieca puts it this way: “Concordia University does not put emphasis on that element but on creating a better world, which is peaceful. In order to do that, you have to learn to do it. You can’t just say do it, and do it. We teach our students, as a result, that their purpose is to promote international understanding and world peace throughout their lifetime, to safeguard the environment from air and water pollution, to safeguard human rights, and to promote disarmament and development of the human resources for positive and constructive purposes.”
Mr. Charles Mercieca reminds us that, aside from our individual goals, we also have a collective goal. He put a lot of emphasis on peace. He said, “If all the students of the world would be trained to achieve these objectives, then once they leave the school, they are prepared to promote a genuine international peace because like the UNESCO preamble says, “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” And the purpose of Concordia International University is precisely to implement this preamble of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations, commonly known as UNESCO. Once we achieve that, we will have a permanent peace. We never have a permanent peace because we never seriously work on it. Now, the time has arrived where we have absolutely, with no other choice, to work on it very seriously.”
He also added, “Concordia International University has taken a gigantic step in this direction to promote this initiative so that eventually our children and their children will finally leave at peace, respecting each other.”
With regard to his message to the graduates, here’s what he said, “First of all, today, I want to congratulate all the graduating students because this is going to be the beginning of a new life for them.”
Our president does not deviate from the purpose he specified. He went on to emphasize the university’s purpose and said, “I want to bring to the mind of each one of them that the graduation was not meant just to give them a job. The graduation was meant because they are certified now to have developed a kind of responsibility from Concordia International University that they could be trusted with the promotion of international understanding and world peace, that they can bring people together in harmony and prosperity.”
Therefore, let’s keep all these things in mind. Whether you are a student, a graduate, or an employee of Concordia International University or any of its sister universities, remember that, while you have a duty to yourself and your family, you have a duty to your society as well.
