As the world looks to Brazil for COP30, join the University of Notre Dame in São Paulo, Brazil for a Pre-COP Conference to help shape the conversation before the world gathers in Belém. The University is convening thought leaders, scholars, and changemakers at this critical moment to deepen its commitment to global dialogue for sustainability and reflect on its mission to be a force for good—locally and globally. Learn more about Notre Dame's engagement with COP. Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo, look to strengthen their partnerships in Brazil by hosting this conference together with the Notre Dame Club of Brazil, Notre Dame Research, the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethic Leadership (NDDCEL), Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI), and the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Attendees can expect to: ⇒ Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships with colleagues from around Brazil ⇒ Network with industry experts who have an interest in sustainability ⇒ Represent University of Notre Dame as a panelist at USP’s Bora Preserva event Participation is open to anyone interested; register is required. Limited financial support is available, which can be applied for via the registration form.Register for the Bridging Worlds Pre-COP ConferenceThemes & Topics This 2-day convening aims to build and strengthen research collaborations, engaging the Brazilian research community in partnership with faculty from the University of Notre Dame. Research sessions will be themed and focus on advancing research partnerships aligned with the University of Notre Dame’s strategic priorities, which includes Just Transitions to Sustainability. We are particularly interested in the following themes:Climate Risk Assessment, Adaptation, and Decision SupportRegenerative and Adaptive LivelihoodsSocio-Political Organizations and Institutions, Human Behavior, and Well-BeingAdditional sessions will prioritize collaborative work between university faculty at Notre Dame and the University of São Paulo, while alumni and other friends of the University from the region will engage around the conference themes and stakeholder partners. Tentative ScheduleTuesday, November 4, 2025Arrival in São Paulo, Brazil Welcome ReceptionWednesday, November 5, 2025Conference check-in Formal welcome and opening remarks New Friends, Networking Activity Morning Sessions Conference lunch Afternoon Sessions Evening SoireeThursday, November 6, 2025Industry visit Conference lunch Participate in USP’s Bora Perserva Hesburgh LectureFriday, November 7, 2025DepartConference participants are welcome to remain in Brazil at their own cost. If ND faculty participants wish to attend COP30 Amazonia, complete the application to join the ND delegation.Conference SponsorsOriginally published at saopaulo.nd.edu.

As the world looks to Brazil for COP30, join the University of Notre Dame in São Paulo, Brazil for a Pre-COP Conference to help shape the conversation before the world gathers in Belém. The University is convening thought leaders, scholars, and changemakers at this critical moment to deepen its commitment to global dialogue for sustainability and reflect on its mission to be a force for good—locally and globally. Learn more about Notre Dame's engagement with COP. Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo, look to strengthen their partnerships in Brazil by hosting this conference together with the Notre Dame Club of Brazil, Notre Dame Research, the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethic Leadership (NDDCEL), Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI), and the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Attendees can expect to: ⇒ Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships with colleagues from around Brazil ⇒ Network with industry experts who have an interest in sustainability ⇒ Represent University of Notre Dame as a panelist at USP’s Bora Preserva event Participation is open to anyone interested; register is required. Limited financial support is available, which can be applied for via the registration form.Register for the Bridging Worlds Pre-COP ConferenceThemes & Topics This 2-day convening aims to build and strengthen research collaborations, engaging the Brazilian research community in partnership with faculty from the University of Notre Dame. Research sessions will be themed and focus on advancing research partnerships aligned with the University of Notre Dame’s strategic priorities, which includes Just Transitions to Sustainability. We are particularly interested in the following themes:Climate Risk Assessment, Adaptation, and Decision SupportRegenerative and Adaptive LivelihoodsSocio-Political Organizations and Institutions, Human Behavior, and Well-BeingAdditional sessions will prioritize collaborative work between university faculty at Notre Dame and the University of São Paulo, while alumni and other friends of the University from the region will engage around the conference themes and stakeholder partners. Tentative ScheduleTuesday, November 4, 2025Arrival in São Paulo, Brazil Welcome ReceptionWednesday, November 5, 2025Conference check-in Formal welcome and opening remarks New Friends, Networking Activity Morning Sessions Conference lunch Afternoon Sessions Evening SoireeThursday, November 6, 2025Industry visit Conference lunch Participate in USP’s Bora Perserva Hesburgh LectureFriday, November 7, 2025DepartConference participants are welcome to remain in Brazil at their own cost. If ND faculty participants wish to attend COP30 Amazonia, complete the application to join the ND delegation.Conference SponsorsOriginally published at saopaulo.nd.edu.

As the world looks to Brazil for COP30, join the University of Notre Dame in São Paulo, Brazil for a Pre-COP Conference to help shape the conversation before the world gathers in Belém. The University is convening thought leaders, scholars, and changemakers at this critical moment to deepen its commitment to global dialogue for sustainability and reflect on its mission to be a force for good—locally and globally. Learn more about Notre Dame's engagement with COP. Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo, look to strengthen their partnerships in Brazil by hosting this conference together with the Notre Dame Club of Brazil, Notre Dame Research, the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethic Leadership (NDDCEL), Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI), and the Notre Dame Alumni Association. Attendees can expect to: ⇒ Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships with colleagues from around Brazil ⇒ Network with industry experts who have an interest in sustainability ⇒ Represent University of Notre Dame as a panelist at USP’s Bora Preserva event Participation is open to anyone interested; register is required. Limited financial support is available, which can be applied for via the registration form.Register for the Bridging Worlds Pre-COP ConferenceThemes & Topics This 2-day convening aims to build and strengthen research collaborations, engaging the Brazilian research community in partnership with faculty from the University of Notre Dame. Research sessions will be themed and focus on advancing research partnerships aligned with the University of Notre Dame’s strategic priorities, which includes Just Transitions to Sustainability. We are particularly interested in the following themes:Climate Risk Assessment, Adaptation, and Decision SupportRegenerative and Adaptive LivelihoodsSocio-Political Organizations and Institutions, Human Behavior, and Well-BeingAdditional sessions will prioritize collaborative work between university faculty at Notre Dame and the University of São Paulo, while alumni and other friends of the University from the region will engage around the conference themes and stakeholder partners. Tentative ScheduleTuesday, November 4, 2025Arrival in São Paulo, Brazil Welcome ReceptionWednesday, November 5, 2025Conference check-in Formal welcome and opening remarks New Friends, Networking Activity Morning Sessions Conference lunch Afternoon Sessions Evening SoireeThursday, November 6, 2025Industry visit Conference lunch Participate in USP’s Bora Perserva Hesburgh LectureFriday, November 7, 2025DepartConference participants are welcome to remain in Brazil at their own cost. If ND faculty participants wish to attend COP30 Amazonia, complete the application to join the ND delegation.Conference SponsorsOriginally published at saopaulo.nd.edu.

The course will be instructed by Father Dan Groody & Arun Agrawal During this one-credit, one-week course at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, students will experience embodied learning that challenges them to understand and live according to Pope Francis’s vision of an integral ecology. Accompanied throughout this journey by the life and writings of St. Francis, Pope Francis’ Laudato si’, and the wonders of creation found in Mother Earth, students will be able to: examine current sustainability challenges using a lens of integral ecology that critically evaluates the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors; connect their sense of ecological agency (via dialogue and action) to an authentic conversion of mind and heart, informed by spiritual experience; and deepen their awareness of the goodness/gift of the created world, the human complicity in the degradation of our environment, and the call to participate, in hope, in the restoration of Creation. Students will participate in both classroom and hands-on learning at the Borgo Laudato si’, an educational center established by Pope Francis that demonstrates how the principles of Laudato si’ can become a reality. The Borgo is on the extraordinarily beautiful grounds of the Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father’s summer residence and a UNESCO World Heritage site located within vast acres of gardens, vineyards, groves of olive trees, and ancient archaeological ruins. Applications due November 15 - Learn more and apply today