Social Justice Activist Answers
Call to Community Care

Like many of Fordham’s graduating seniors, Kevin Ahern’s résumé is impressive: he is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the twice-elected president of the International Movement of the National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC), and a social justice lobbyist at the United Nations. But read between the lines, or better yet, talk to this young man from Valhalla, N.Y., and it’s obvious that he isn’t driven by awards or credentials.

“I’ve really enjoyed serving as a voice and a resource for Catholic college students through NCSC, and I want to do that now with the greater community,” said Ahern, a double major in religious studies and anthropology. “In the future, I’d love to be a director of a peace and justice center, to be able to make an impact on social problems in the world. That’s really what it’s about.”

And he is on his way to meeting his goal.

Ahern is the first American since World War II to be nominated for the presidency of the International Movement of Catholic Students of Pax Romana, the oldest Catholic organization that works with the United Nations to address human rights issues worldwide. If elected in August, Ahern will spend four years in Paris representing millions of Catholic students in 90 countries.

If this opportunity does not pan out, Ahern will accept an equally exciting challenge as a student at the Yale Divinity School.

“Either way, I hope to fill a leadership position that will impact social justice,” he said. “Like the Jesuits, I really believe that the Catholic Church is much more than priests and bishops, that all who are baptized are called to be part of this community that must take care of one another.”

During his time at Fordham, Ahern has certainly lived up to the Jesuit ideal of serving those in need. In addition to handling his course load, he has campaigned for human rights with the NCSC, which is the U.S. arm of Pax Romana. He has also spent countless hours lobbying at the United Nations for youth poverty eradication and human rights.

Ahern’s work often involves meeting with Catholic bishops, drafting treaties for international summits and educating people on social issues. Recently, he worked on a joint UN seminar project with the Archdiocese of New York to educate people about the issue of trafficking women for prostitution in various regions of the world.

Ahern’s desire to focus on social ethics can be traced to his upbringing, his faith and the struggles he’s faced in life. “My parents were my first role models in terms of what it means to have a relationship with God, which is based on not what you say you do, but how you live your life,” he said.

That Ahern has accomplished so much by age 22 is even more remarkable given his rocky early years. In fifth grade, he contracted Lyme disease and spent three years in a semi-conscious state on 24-hour intravenous support. He had to be home-schooled for five years as a result of the disease.

Though his condition has improved greatly, he still suffers from arthritis and migraines. However, he doesn’t complain about his medical challenges.

“Early on I went through a period where I was in pain and angry with God, but being bedridden gave me plenty of time to reflect,” Ahern said. He credits his family, parish and his youth group for helping him get through his illness. “They gave me the strength to survive. And the youth ministry deepened my love of my faith,” he said.

As his health improved, Ahern immersed himself in social justice lobbying. When the time came to get serious about college, his choice was clear.

“Fordham is the Jesuit university of New York. I related to its motto of service, men and women for others and going beyond yourself for the community,” he said. “That was exactly what I was looking for in a university.”

— Rose Kent

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Social Justice Activist Answers Call to Community Care

Social Justice Activist Answers
Call to Community Care