“The Amazon and Beyond. Integral Ecology, Multiple Vulnerabilities and Youthful Commitments” was the title of the seminar organised on October 18 by the newly set up Observatory of the faculty of Social Sciences of the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome in which WUCWO participated the seminar held during the current Special Synod for the Pan-Amazon Region aimed to deepen, inspire and open “transdisciplinary paths illuminating new ways of relating to God, to others and to the space around us” (Evangelii gaudium n.74).

Part of the seminar was dedicated to think over the interconnections between the two last Synods on Youth and the Amazon with specialists as H. E. Mgr. Sanchez Sorondo  Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, Fr. Giacomo Costa SJ Special Secretary for the Youth Synod and Sister Alessandra Smerilli Professor of Political Economy and Councilor of the Vatican City State.

The seminar also looked into strategies and ways forward for reaching an integral ecology taking into account different experiences at different levels, for example the experience of REPAM a regional movement and the experience of the Global Catholic Climate Movement an international movement. Proposals from experts and from other regions and countries like Asia Pacific and Congo were also discussed.

Different perspectives were presented and discussed, and there was an overall agreement on the fact that young people play an essential role in the development of an integral ecology and that climate change includes a huge social impact (migration and new types of slavery). We all need to work to ensure a safer and future for the youngest and most vulnerable members of societies.