Villanova Presents Workshops to Explore Laudato Si and UN Sustainable Development Goals
In keeping with its Augustinian tradition鈥攚hich emphasizes service to, and care for, one鈥檚 community鈥敯拿哦植� integrates sustainability and respect for the earth into its curricula, scholarly research, academic and community events, and institutional policy and practice. Since the 2015 release of Pope Francis鈥� 鈥淟audato Si鈥� encyclical, the University has been even more intentional about promoting 鈥渁 new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.鈥� In February and March, Villanova will host workshops on 鈥淭he Common Good, Our Common Home鈥� to explore the personal and global significance of the encyclical and the 2015鈥�2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The first workshop, on February 24, will focus on climate change, and on March 24 the theme will be water and sanitation. Both workshops will explore Catholic social teachings relevant to the topic, and will engage participants in hands-on, small group discussion. The objectives are for each participant to come away with a personal action plan and to contribute to a proactive program at the University level. These workshops are part of a longer goal to engrain an ethos of 鈥渟ustainable living鈥� into Villanova鈥檚 curriculum and experiential learning.
A University-wide effort, 鈥淭he Common Good, Our Common Home鈥� will feature:
Gary A. Gabriele, PhD, Drosdick Endowed Dean of Engineering
Barbara Wall, Vice President for Mission and Ministry
William Lorenz, director, Sustainable Engineering
Father Arthur Purcaro, Assistant Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Ilia Delio, PhD, OSF, professor and Connelly Chair in Christian Theology
Francis A. Galgano, PhD, associate professor and chair, Department of Geography and the Environment
Paul C. Rosier, PhD, Mary M. Birle Chair in American History
Ruth McDermott-Levy, PhD, MPH, RN, associate professor and director, Center for Global and Public Health
Jonathan Doh, PhD, Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business and faculty director, Center for Global Leadership
Nathaniel B. Weston, PhD, associate professor, Geography and the Environment
Liesel Schwarz, campus sustainability manager and Sustainable Engineering graduate student
Both workshops will run from 2:30-5:00 p.m. in the St. David鈥檚 Room of the Connelly Center, and are open to students, faculty, staff and the public.