The conference was held in Krakow (Poland), in the Alua Magna of the Jagiellonian University, in July 25, 2016, at the beginning of the week dedicated to the XXXI World Youth Day and as a follow-up of the Meeting on the Integrity of Creation organized on the occasion of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, in 2013.
Promoters and organizers are: The John Paul II Foundation for Youth / Pontifical Council for the Laity; The Pontifical Catholic University of John Paul II, Krakow; The Organizing Committee of World Youth Day in Krakow in 2016.
A new element compared to the first conference is especially the Encyclical 'Laudato Si' ', in which Pope Francis develops the concept of Integral Ecology, where human being is at the center, particularly the poor, the weak, the disadvantaged. The meeting also discussed the right to food and land in many ways, including sustainability and democracy, power problems and the situation of water reserves. Sustainable development, rather than a limit not to be exceeded, is to be understood as a way of life.
In the organization were involved: The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; The Ministry of Environment of Italy; The Ministry of Environment of Poland; The Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
In this context it is important to educate younger generations. Therefore the Conference, together and including experts, involved youth from all over the world, involved in the work of the Scientific Committee and encouraged to bring concrete evidence.
After the meeting, the legacy of the conference was a "Manifesto of the young people of WYD for an Integral Ecology", which you can read and download it here:
Manifesto dei giovani della GMG 2016 per un Ecologia Integrale (NON DEFINITIVO) [ITA]
____________________________________________________________
THE PROGRAMME
Session I - Morning:
09:30 – 09:50 - Welcome:
· H.E. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archdiocese of Krakow, President of the Organizing Committeeof WYD
· Prof. Wojciech Nowak, Rector of the Jagellonian University
· Prof. WojciechZyzak, Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University John Paul II of Krakow
· H.S.H.Prince Albert II of Monaco (Video Message)
· Mr. Marcello Bedeschi, President of John Paul II Foundation for Youth, Vatican
9:50 -10:30 – Introductory reflections by youth from various continents on the Encyclical Laudato Si’
1) Climate change
2) The problem of water
3) The loss of biodiversity
4) The degradation of the quality of life
5) Global inequity
10:30- 10:50 – ‘Reflection: The Encyclical: Laudato Si’: Care for our home
Prof. PierluigiMalavasi, Director of High School for the Environment,
UNICATT
11:20- 11:50 – Reflection: “The Journey of Laudato Si’”,
H.E. Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for
Justice and Peace
11:50- 12:45 – Open Discussion (maximum three minutes each)
Session II- Afternoon:
The Institutions and Organizations in Response
14:30- 16:00- 1st Debate: “Environment Development Economics,” coordinated by
Prof. Sandro Cocconcelli, Microbiology of food - Unicatt.
Speeches: Prof. Thomas Han Hong-Soon, economist of the Seul University
Mrs. MILAGROS COUCHOUD, member of the scientific and technological committee of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. President of the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME)
Project “Policoro”
Free speeches
Conclusion: ON. GIAN LUCA GALLETTI, Ministry for the
Enviornment of Italy
16:10- 17:15- 2nd Debate: “Education and Conversion to Integral Ecology”.
Testimonials: Dr. Caterina Calabria – Unicatt
Riccardo Simmons – Foundation “Creatio”
Free speeches
Conclusion: Prof. JAN SZYSZKO, Ministry for the Enviornment of
Poland
17:40-18:00- Final relation: “Towards new lifestyles,” coordinated by Prof. Michael
Agliardo, Loyola University of Chicago
Free speeches
18:30 -Presentation of the final document: Fr. João Chagas, Head ofthe Youth Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity
19:00 –Address of H.E. Card. Stanislaw Ryłko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Vatican