Scholas Occurrentes will organize the first World Congress of "Eco-Educational Cities" with 50 mayors,
the closing remarks will be delivered by Pope Francis

From May 23th to 25th, the first World Congress of “Eco-Educational Cities” will be held, with the presence of 50 mayors from Latin America and Europe. The event will be organized by the Scholas Occurrentes Movement and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) as part of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the global launch of Scholas Occurrentes.

Vatican City, May 19th 2023. The congress seeks to promote and disseminate sustainable development throughout the educational methodology developed by Scholas and the experiences that young people from different communities have been making, in reference to the term "integral ecology" developed in the Encyclical Laudato si’. During May 23th, 24th and 25th, mayors will receive training in the subject so that they can apply the knowledge in their territories, in continuity to the experience of Laudato si’ young, promoted by Scholas last year.

The closing day will be held on Thursday 25th at 15hs in the Aula Magna of the Augustinianum Patristic Institute, where mayors, along with prominent specialists, will deliver the conclusions to the Holy Father as part of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the worldwide launch of Scholas Occurrentes.

During the celebration, Pope Francis will have live interaction with the youth communities of Scholas Occurrentes in Argentina, United States, Mexico and the Colombian Amazon. In addition, the Holy Father will surprise a group of elderly and young people in a nursing home in Spain that is part of the intergenerational educational program, "Estar Juntos" (“Being Together”).

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, through the Holy See Press Office online Accreditation System available at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.