Global Citizens are those who continuously seek to deepen their awareness of their place and responsibility in an increasingly interconnected world, both locally and globally; those who stand in solidarity with others in the pursuit of a sustainable earth and a more humane world as true companions in the mission of reconciliation and justice” Secretariat Global Taskforce, 2019

It is generally acknowledged that the Ignatian Student is curious, attentive, sympathetic, passionate, active and contemplative at the same time, responsible, creative, endowed with critical thinking, able to communicate, aware of the world.  In 4 words: competent, compassionate, conscious and committed. 

A precious instrument to be used, so to foster the pursuit of such characteristics, is the encyclical letter Laudato si’, written by Pope Francis in 2015. It is not merely a question of fighting pollution: it goes far ahead. It is about sensitivity, love (for nature, for other human beings, for animals), respect for the environment with its rhythms and laws.

This is why, four years ago, three teachers from our school – Mrs. Elena Maietich (Philosophy), Ms. Valeria Manca (Italian, Latin, Greek) and Mr. Francesco Proietti (Italian, Latin) – came up with the idea of proposing a different way to bring students closer to the issues of integral ecology, central theme in the Pope’s encyclical: the “Laudato si’ Contest”.

Among the several projects linked to Global Citizenship Education, which is part of our educational path, this is one of those initiatives that have been carried on even during the distance learning in the period of the pandemic. Promoting the message of the Holy Father, the contest invites people to an ecological conversion as main feature of the Christian experience, so to preserve the world we live in, our common home.

After training in class, students attending the first two years of high school, have to produce an unpublished short video or an audio, expressing their opinion on current issues which can have a strong impact on their lives, always referring to the main themes of Laudato si’, re-elaborated in a personal way.

The success of the first three editions has shown a strong sensitivity and great awareness on the part of our young students.

The fourth edition is currently taking shape with the training course for the high school students. Experts, professors and representatives of international organizations are offering their skills to trigger reflections, analyses and questions in the young participants.

As happened in previous editions, the organizing team defines the topic to work on, and this year the focus is on “Animal welfare and environmental sustainability”.

The ongoing edition, involving at the moment Jesuit schools from the Euro-Mediterranean Province and some schools of the Roman territory, will end on May 27th with the “Iuvando Magis” Conference at the Auditorium of the M. Massimo Institute.

The organizers are always available for information and any late registrations. If you are interested, you can send an email to concorsolaudatosi@istitutomassimo.com

This kind of initiative, integrated in the Ignatian education, help shaping a Global Citizen. This grants teenagers the future accomplishment of their goals, which will have a positive impact on theirs and their neighbor’s life, thus bringing a message of hope to humanity.

Link for applications: https://www.istitutomassimo.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Bando-Concorso-Laudato-si-IV-edizione-2022.pdf

Caterina Lizzio (for GCE), Elena Maietich, Valeria Manca, Francesco Proietti