The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) hosted the IV Taller del Observatorio Laudato Si’ from April 20 to 22, bringing together representatives from 14 universities across Latin America to discuss sustainability, education, and social commitment through a humanistic lens.
The workshop aimed to address the challenges of integral ecology inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, which emphasizes interconnectedness and encourages educational action during uncertain times. Participants engaged in presentations, group discussions, and campus activities designed to bridge academic reflection with practical experience.
Dra. Nani Pease, Academic Director of Social Responsibility at PUCP, said: “This workshop is an opportunity to articulate efforts and think about how we can contribute to the common good from the university. Sustainability is not an isolated issue; it permeates our education, research, and relationship with society.” R.P. Fernando Roca S.J., Academic Director of Church Relations at PUCP, added: “Talking about integral ecology is talking about a way of life. It is recognizing that our decisions—even on a university campus—impact our environment and others.”
Dr. Julio del Valle Ballón, Rector of PUCP, welcomed participants on the final day by stating: “The care for our common home and building hope are two fundamental commitments of our time. They cannot be separated and must be part of our educational task.” Dr. Gladys Jiménez from Oducal highlighted regional collaboration: “These meetings allow us to share experiences…and build a network that responds to the challenges of our time.” Students also shared their perspectives; Flor Tomaya said: “These spaces help us reflect on our role regarding environmental care and inequalities…from the university we can propose impactful solutions.”
According to the official website, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú promotes cultural and social wellbeing by emphasizing contributions in education and research within its community framework (RUC 20155945860). The institution highlights academic achievements through its news portal—originally launched as a printed magazine in 2005—which now offers multimedia content addressing societal issues via expertise from professors and researchers according to its official website. Communication efforts are directed by Dirección de Comunicación Institucional as reported by PUCP, serving communities across Peru through academic contributions.
As participants concluded three days of dialogue focused on translating conceptual frameworks into concrete actions within higher education institutions, organizers stressed that sustaining momentum will require turning ideas into projects—and reflections into lasting policies—to meet contemporary socio-environmental challenges.
