Laudato Si' University-wide Baseline Study

Even prior to the Laudato Si’ journey the University is partaking in, various sustainability initiatives related to teaching, research, and outreach have been conceptualized and implemented in different units of the Ateneo de Manila. The recent years, in fact, witnessed how Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainable lifestyle permeated and more remarkably deliberately integrated in the curricula, student-led activities, and office operations among others. 

Even though approaches, target audience, and realized impact of these initiatives vary, a recurring theme in project evaluations is the importance of stakeholder engagement, which relies heavily on whether they have a nuanced understanding of sustainability precepts. Following the principles of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP), meaningful engagement with sustainability initiatives (Experience) leads to discernment (Reflection) and personal embodiment of sustainability lifestyle (Action). However, IPP further suggests that the success of this framework hinges on crafting the Experience based on the Context.

Given the diversity in background being housed in the Ateneo de Manila, the context of the different units vary. While there are various experiments and plays on effective information, education, and communication (IEC) strategies in various units, to date, there is no attempt to thoroughly and quantitatively profile our sustainability context – the University’s understanding and acceptance of sustainability as a means of proceeding.

Spearheaded by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Program of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability, the Laudato Si’ Baseline Study is a University-wide study seeking to investigate the stakeholders’ understanding and perception of the SDGs and integral ecology.