Organized by the University Network for the Care of Our Common Home (RUC), with the support of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (PCAL) through the Building Bridges initiative, the meeting continues the path begun with the first event, “Organizing Hope,” held in 2023 at the Holy See.

The event takes up the invitation of Pope Francis—also reiterated by Pope Leo XIV in his first message—to work together in building bridges of peace and development for our peoples.

Within the framework of the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’ and on the road to COP30 in Belém, this second encounter will bring together, over five days, rectors and university authorities, as well as representatives of governments and multilateral organizations, in a synodal proposal that promotes listening, collective discernment, and concrete action in response to the climate crisis.

PUC-Rio, a member of the RUC, will serve as the host institution, with the support of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Association of Jesuit Universities in Latin America (AUSJAL), the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), Caritas Latin America and the Caribbean, and with the active participation of the Government of Brazil and COP30 authorities.

The meeting is also supported by Porticus, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), and the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI).

The program will be structured around the four dreams proposed by Pope Francis in Querida Amazonia—community, cultural, social, and ecological—and will conclude with a public commemorative event at Christ the Redeemer, celebrating the decade of Laudato si’.

EVENT DETAILS

Second Synodal Meeting of Ibero-American University Rectors
📍 Venue: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)
Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil
📅 Dates: May 20–24, 2025
🎓 Format: In person
🛠 Organizers: RUC, PCAL, PUC-Rio

🔗 Web: [PUC-Rio - Congresso das Universidades Ibero-americanas]