ALIGNMENT
In the spirit of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ 7-Year Journey invites universities to:
Further enrich their environmental programs and activities by uniting them in a shared commitment to integral ecology.
Bolster existing and new transformative nonviolent actions that advance Pope Francis’ 7 Laudato Si’ Goals.
Create opportunities for ecological conversion that opens minds and hearts to the sacred task of caring for our common home.
Join a global partnership of universities striving together to do the magis in healing the Earth and human society.
"everything is interconnected . . . genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice, and faithfulness to others."
Laudato Si' 70.
"More than in ideas or concepts . . .a [ecological] spirituality can motivate us to a more passionate concern for the protection of our world."
Laudato Si', 216.
How does this work align with other sustainability frameworks?
As institutions of higher education, many are already working towards sustainability-related goals and initiatives that align with this journey. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) are two common frameworks used in higher education. Below we have highlighted how these may align with the specific goals of this journey to illustrate the opportunities we have as campuses to advance this work.
ALIGNMENT OF UN SDGS AND LAUDATO SI' GOALS
GOAL 1: Respond to the Cry of the Earth
GOAL 2: Respond to the Cry of the Poor
GOAL 3: Foster Ecological Economics
GOAL 4: Adopt Sustainable Lifestyles
GOAL 5: Offer Ecological Education
GOAL 6: Develop Ecological Spirituality
GOAL 7: Support Local Communities
ALIGNMENT OF STARS AND LAUDATO SI' GOALS
ALIGNMENT OF UNIVERSAL APOSTOLIC PREFERENCES
In 2019, the Society of Jesus formally adopted four ‘universal apostolic preferences’ to guide its mission discernment and apostolic planning for the next 10 years. The UAPs are:
Showing the Way to God
Walking with the Excluded
Journeying with Youth
Caring for Our Common Home
Jesuits universities around the world have responded to the UAPs with a variety of projects and actions. These universities will be resourceful companions to all non-Jesuit universities on Pope Francis’ Journey.
The chart below indicates how the 4 UAPs align with the 7 Laudato Si’ goals. A university that supports the UAPs bolsters their environmental projects and actions by bringing them together within a shared, intentional commitment to an integral ecology.
There are several other excellent sustainability guides used by universities around the world. As with the SDGs, Pope Francis’ Journey applauds these guides and further invites universities to bolster their environmental projects and actions by bringing them together with the 7 Laudato Si’ Goals in a shared, intentional commitment to an integral ecology.
