Academics gather in the Vatican for International Meeting of Sense
Scholas Occurrentes and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean are organizing the International Meeting of Meaning, bringing together leading researchers and young people to the Vatican, May 21-23, to discuss some of the most important issues of our era.
By Lisa Zengarini
A host of world-renowned university rectors, renowned academics, cultural figures and influential young people are gathering at the Vatican this week for a three-day international conference.
The event is organized by the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), within the framework of the University of Sens (Universidad del Sentido).
This Vatican-based university, sponsored by Pope Francis and managed by the international educational movement Scholas Occurrentes, was created with the aim of addressing some critical issues exacerbated by the contemporary global crisis of meaning, such as the impact of technology , the environment and mental health.
The International Meeting of Meaning follows the collaboration between Scholas and CAF, which includes notable educational initiatives, including the launch of the first Laudato Sí school in May 2022.
This initiative brought together 50 young representatives from various Latin American and Caribbean countries to discuss pressing environmental and social issues.
Furthermore, in May 2023, Scholas and CAF organized the first World Congress of “Eco-educational Cities”, which brought together around fifty mayors from Latin America and Europe, to promote and disseminate sustainable development through the educational methodology developed by the educational movement and the experiences carried out by young people in their communities in light of the idea of ”integral ecology” of Pope Francis proposed in his Encyclical Laudato si.'“
The results of the progress of these previous initiatives will be discussed during the three-day meeting.
The final session of the conference will take place on Thursday afternoon, May 23, in the Old Synod Hall, where participants will present their conclusions and recommendations to Pope Francis.
