Creation Care/Cuidado de la Creación Conference & Creation Care Film Festival

Join us for an inspiring and global event, the Creation Care/Cuidado de la Creación Conference, which will take place both in-person and online from September 25-27, 2024. This multi-day event is a celebration of sustainability, environmental justice, and artistic expression across different countries and institutions.

Event Highlights:

• Conference Sessions:
  • Dates: Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26
  • Location: University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, Texas, Broadway Campus) – Student Engagement Center (SEC) Room 2050-2052. Available online.
  • Topics: Sustainability, Laudato Si, global climate action, community gardening, and more.
• Environmental Film Festival:
  • Dates: Thursday, September 26, and Friday, September 27
  • Location: Mabee Library Auditorium
  • Film screenings include The Letter: A Message from Our Earth, Plastic Wars, Mr. Trash Wheel, Cooked: Survival by ZIP Code, and more. (Limited seating, RSVP required)
• “Art of Creation” Exhibit:
  • Featuring artworks by young people (ages 4-18) highlighting the beauty of nature and our role in its care. The exhibit will be showcased online, fostering creativity and compassion across the globe.

Global Presenters:

• Rome: Br. Adolf Mugume, C.S.C., Director of Communications for the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Rome, will talk about the Popes’ enyclical Laudato Si and also present a short film documentary featuring Sarah Kirkumwino the Laudato Youth Initiative Clubs’ President, focusing on youth climate action and Sustainability work on media by the Laudato Youth Initiative response to the Catholic Social Teachings on the environment, SDG 16 and 13 Call to Action Message. A video that was filmed in response to the Popes film documentary the Letter explaining what is happening to our common home and as justification of the climate change problem prevailing in Uganda. The findings from this film documentation informed his Capstone Reasearch “Use of digital Media to communicate Laudato Si” that gave birth to the Laudato Youth Initiative to mitigate the challenge and build a community of young people who are wnvironmental responsive castodians of on our common home.
• Mr. Augustine Bahumuka (Uganda), a research editor with Laudato Youth Initiative will share about LYI’s role in promoting the Catholic Social Teachings of the Church and Miss Immaculate Kisembo the Laudato Youth Initiative Publications Editor joining us from Tanzania will share about Laudato Youth and SDG 16 and 13 Call to action thus the two will also  moderate the presentations by  the Laudato Youth Initiative Club at Mountains of the Moon University (Ugandan Team: Tukamusaba Doreen, ⁠Ayebale Fred, ⁠Arinaitwe Innocent, Murungi Arnnest, Peace Scovia and Masereka Rodgers) will about Season of Creation activities in institutions.
• Peru: Dony Avilos from the Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation Committee will discuss efforts in Chimbote to engage older adults in sustainability.
• Mexico: Presentations on food sustainability projects, including the innovative use of eggshells for nutritional supplements, led by Ecoshell entrepreneurs.

Special Sessions:

• Gardening in Guatemala: Learn about initiatives combating malnutrition through community gardening led by Edwin Mendoza and Darlene Jasso of the Little Angels of Mary.
• Sustainability in Chimbote, Peru: Dony Avilos will explore the intersection of faith and creation care within marginalized communities.
• Solar Energy Projects: Discover how UIW is leading with sustainability grants for solar energy and community gardening.

Register for the Event:
To receive access links and updates, please register here.

Event Partners: Special thanks to the University of the Incarnate Word Lewis Center of the Americas, the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability, and other global partners for making this event possible.

For more information, please contact

Uganda, Rome,  Kenya, and Tanzania

Mr. Bahemuka Augustine – Laudato Youth Initiative Research Editor or Miss Sarah Kirikumwino – Laudato Youth Initiative Clubs’ President at Laudatoyouthinitiative@gmail.com or info@laudato-youthinitiative.org

United States of America

Sr. Martha Ann Kirk at marthaann.kirk@uiwtx.edu or 210-883-5934.