Catholic Church, indigenous leaders to discuss Laudato Si, protecting indigenous Amazonians, and addressing environmental challenges
WHAT:
As the world continues to face climate change and environmental challenges, the Amazon is combating the consequences presented to the region and its indigenous people. Ahead of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region to take place at the Vatican in October, Georgetown University will host the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM), a Latin American Catholic Church network created to respond to the challenges facing the people of the Amazon and their natural environment, for an international conference entitled, “Integral Ecology: A Synodal Response from the Amazon and Other Essential Biomes/Territories for the Care of Our Common Home.” The three-day conference will include participants from biomes across the world, such as the Amazon, the Congo Basin, the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, and the tropical forests of the Asia Pacific region. The purpose of the conference is to search for answers for the world as a whole to respond to the urgency of our common home and discuss its importance for the Church as outlined in Laudato Si ahead of the October Synod.
REPAM leaders and a Georgetown expert will have a media availability on Wednesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. to provide general updates on conference proceedings, discussions, and takeaway to the press. The remainder of the conference proceedings are closed working meetings and not open to the public or press.
WHO:
- Cardinal Cláudio Hummes, President of REPAM
- Cardinal Pedro Barreto, Vice President of REPAM
- Patricia Gualinga, Indigenous Leader from Amazon
- Victoria Tauli Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of the Indigenous People
- Matthew Carnes, Associate Professor of Government and Director of the Center for Latin American Studies
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 20 at 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Georgetown University
3700 O St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20057
RSVP:
Media who are interested in covering the event should contact Matt Hill in the Georgetown University Office of Strategic Communications at (202) 687-4328 or at gucomm@georgetown.edu.