- Continue a cycle of Symposia of the Uniservitate global network launched in 2020 as a multicultural, “polyhedral” and plural space based on the contributions of the pedagogical approach of solidarity service-learning to holistic education in Higher Education.
- Explore SSL institutionalization models and processes in Catholic Higher Education to strengthen its identity and mission and build peace and hope in a fragile world.
- Analyze the spirituality of service and examine the connections between the spiritual dimension and the SSL institutionalization processes in Higher Education as a whole.
- Reinforce the dialogue among the SSL approach, the Global Compact on Education and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on the good practices in Catholic Higher Education Institutions.
- Facilitate the exchange of views on university community engagement and solidarity service-learning among specialists, university authorities, researchers, faculty members and students of Higher Education Institutions with their community partners from diverse cultural contexts worldwide.
VI Global Symposium Uniservitate
Service-Learning in a Fragile World: Universities Nourishing Peace and Hope
6th and 7th November 2025
Hybrid Format
In a world grappling with deep tensions and difficulties, it is urgent to continue viewing education as an act of courage and hope that builds peace, and solidarity service-learning (SSL) is a pedagogy that makes that possible.
Uniservitate is a global programme for SSL promotion in Catholic Higher Education Institutions. As part of its activities, the VI Global Symposium will be held on 6th and 7th November 2025 under the title Service-Learning in a Fragile World: Universities Nourishing Peace and Hope.
The title addresses the challenges universities face in a world of conflict, confrontation, and social polarization. In this context, education in general, and SSL in particular, can actively engage in the construction of the polis. Pope Leo XIV greeted us at his first appearance, following Jesus: ‘Peace be with you’ (Vatican, May 2025). Based on encounter, reflection, and engaged research, this academic and fraternal event is intended to be an experience of building peace and hope.
Focusing on the three objectives of Uniservitate global network (research, networking and institutionalization), the VI Symposium will promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue through solidarity service-learning. There will be three types of activities: panel discussions; concurrent sessions on research; and concurrent sessions on practical experiences inspired by the Global Compact on Education, aiming to contribute to joining hands, head and heart, as Pope Francis has taught us.
As part of the Symposium, and keeping in mind the objectives of the global network, there will also be a meeting of students (October); a meeting of regional hubs (5th November, optional); and a meeting of rectors (6th November).
The event is jointly organized by Uniservitate (Porticus + CLAYSS) and the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. It will be held in a hybrid modality at a global level: onsite for members of the regional hub of Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East (CEE&ME) and Asia and Oceania (A&O), and online for those who wish to participate from other regions of the world.
General Information
Objetives
- Continue a cycle of Symposia of the Uniservitate global network launched in 2020 as a multicultural, “polyhedral” and plural space based on the contributions of the pedagogical approach of solidarity service-learning to holistic education in Higher Education.
- Explore SSL institutionalization models and processes in Catholic Higher Education to strengthen its identity and mission and build peace and hope in a fragile world.
- Analyze the spirituality of service and examine the connections between the spiritual dimension and the SSL institutionalization processes in Higher Education as a whole.
- Reinforce the dialogue among the SSL approach, the Global Compact on Education and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on the good practices in Catholic Higher Education Institutions.
- Facilitate the exchange of views on university community engagement and solidarity service-learning among specialists, university authorities, researchers, faculty members and students of Higher Education Institutions with their community partners from diverse cultural contexts worldwide
Audience
- Institutions that are members of the Uniservitate Global Network.
- Catholic Higher Education Institutions in general.
- Public and private universities and other higher education institutions in general.
- Networks related to SSL or Higher Education.
- Civil society organizations or public bodies.
Preliminar Programme
The schedule is in Germany local time (UTC+2), please check the time zone of your country/city here: https://www.timeanddate.com/world-clock/
6th November 2025
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8:30 AM 09:00 AM |
Registration & coffee. |
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09:00 AM-10:45 AM Live Streaming |
Opening Session |
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Gabriele Gien – Rector of the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Klaus Stüwe – Vice-Rector of the Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Richard Brosse – Portfolio Manager of Vital Catholic Thought at Porticus. |
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Maria Rosa Tapia – Coordinator of the Uniservitate Global Network – CLAYSS. |
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Fr. Ezio Lorenzo Bono – CSF. Global Compact on Education. Dicastery for Culture and Education. |
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Card. José Tolentino de Mendonça – Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. |
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Michael Alberter – Permanent Representative of Eichstätt Episcopate. |
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Nicolas Standaert – President of EASLHE, Belgium. |
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Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Gerholz – University Network for Social Responsibility, Germany. |
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Moderator: Olha Mykhailyshyn – Uniservitate CEE&ME Regional Hub Coordinator |
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10:00 AM -10:20 AM |
Key-note speaker Taras Dobko – Rector, Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine. SL institutionalization during the war. |
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10:20-10:45 |
Coffee-break |
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10:45 -12:00 Live Streaming |
Panel discussion “Building Resilience through Service-Learning: A Global University Dialogue” |
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Br Alejandro González Cerna – Dean of the Faculty of Education and Chair of the Curriculum and Pedagogy Department at Bethlehem University, Palestine. |
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Padre Delmar Cardoso SJ–Vice-Rector Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Brazil. |
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Rev. Prof. Martin Bahati. Loyola University of Congo |
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Dr. Miao-Ju Chwo – Director, Service-Learning Center, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan. |
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Moderator: Christiane Hoth de Olano. Postdoc at Bern University, Switzerland. |
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12.30 PM – 01:00 PM Live Streaming |
Key-note speaker General perspective on SL in the fragmented and fragile world |
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01:00 PM – 02:00PM |
Lunch break |
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2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Simultaneous sessions on research – Registered participants by Zoom |
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1) Spirituality (How Meaning-Making, Ethics, and Compassion Shape Service in Times of Crisis) |
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Moderator: Dr. Prof Rowena Roppelt. Vice Chair for Study and Teaching; Acting Professor of Liturgics and Dogmatics. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Mercy Pushpalatha-Uniservitate Academic Sounding Board, India. |
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Santiago Zapata Lecturer and researcher, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador. |
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Jimi Caldea – Service-Learning Specialist at the Center for Social Concern and Action. Coordinator of the Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Regional Hub. De La Salle University, Philippines. |
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Dr. Irena Polewczyk, Dr. Dawid Ledwoń, Dr. Katarzyna Trynda, Dr. Mariola Kozubek, PhD. University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. |
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Susan Haarman – Loyola University, USA. |
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2) Institutionalisation (Structures, Policies, and Practices that anchor Service-Learning in Higher Education) |
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Moderator: Dr. Ann-Kathrin Bremer – Research associate. Professorship of Didactics of Geography and Education for Sustainable Development. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Andrew Furco – Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizational Development. Uniservitate Academic Sounding Board. University of Minnesota, USA. |
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Dr. Marina Tsoi. Course coordinator for the cooperation courses with JWL at the School of Transformation and Sustainability. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. Mélodie Honen-Delmar – Global Director of Professional Programs and Research Manager at JWL. Barnett, Freire, and Service-Learning: Higher Education in a Fragile World |
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Dr. Teresa Loong – Vice-Rector for Student Affairs. University of Saint Joseph, Macao. |
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Andrés Peregalli – Vice-coordinator of the Uniservitate Global Network – CLAYSS. Universidad Católica Argentina. |
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Isabel Capeloa Gil – Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP). Rector. |
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3) Students Impact and Networks (Empowering Students and Building Bridges through Local and Global Engagement) |
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Moderator: Candelaria Ferrara – Uniservitate regional hub coordinator – CLAYSS. |
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Montserrat Alom – CIRAD-International Center for Research and Decision Support of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU). |
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Bilal Awad Salameh – Associate Professor of Faculty of Arts / Department of Social Sciences; Moussa Rabadi, Director of Institute for Community Partnership; Elias Al Hazin, Instructor and the coordinator of the Community Service Program. Bethlehem University, Palestine. |
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Kathia Reynders – Project Facilitator Service-Learning. KU Leuven. Belgium. |
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Mr. Ridwan Anam – Students Fellowship representative. University of San Carlos, Philippines. |
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Sarah Noor – Student, School of education. Tangaza University, Kenya. |
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4 ) Rectors Meeting. Close meeting by invitation. |
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Special guest: Pbro. Lic. Francisco Ramírez Yáñez. President of the IFCU for the period 2025–2028. Moderator: Maria Rosa Tapia (Coordinator of the Uniservitate Global Network – CLAYSS) & Andrés Peregalli (Vice-coordinator of the Uniservitate Global Network – CLAYSS) |
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04:00 PM-04:30 PM |
Networking with coffee |
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06:00 PM (Optional) |
Holy Mass in Schutzengelkirche with Chor Collegium Orientale |
7th November 2025
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8:30 AM |
Coffee |
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09:00 AM -11:00 AM |
Simultaneous sessions Global Compact on Education Solidarity Service-Learning Experiences |
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1) Dignity and Human Rights |
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Facilitator: Maria Müller-Pulsfuß– Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Reactor: Rodrigo de Andrade (GCE) |
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Yaroslav Ovcharuk, the Coordinator of Legal Clinic at Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine. |
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Prof. Dr. Martin Schneider, Katharina Zöpfl & Barbara Fischer Human Rights SL project, Cooperation with AK Shalom. |
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Rev. Fr. Stephano Kamwaza – Catholic University of Malawi |
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Michele Pistone. Villanova University, USA. |
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2) Fraternity and Cooperation |
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Facilitator: Romina Eloisa Abuan. Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Regional Hub. Programme Assistant Coordinator, Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), De La Salle University, Philippines. |
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Dr. Prof. Andre Habisch. Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Layth Awwad, Ruba Ayyad – Bethlehem University, Palestine. |
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Nick Morris, Audrey Dornisch and Andrea Guzowski -Walsh University, USA. |
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Dr. Joanna Marie Oliva – Pesquidous – St Mary´s University, United Kingdom. |
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Aurelie Desmet – KU Leuven, Belgiumm |
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3) Technology and Integral Ecology |
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Facilitador: Andres Peregalli– Uniservitate Vice coordinator. Reactor: Dr. Maria Cinque – Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta (LUMSA), Italy. |
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Fr. (Dr.) Jose Palely – Vice Chancellor and Rector.Assam Don Bosco University, India. |
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Dr. Prof. Alina Rusu – Professor and Coordinator. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania. |
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Dr. Julio del Valle. Rector Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. |
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Leire Bereziartua and Aiur Retegi – Universidad Deusto, España. |
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Dr. Eng. Jan Kamiński and Prof. Ewa Trzaskowska – John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland |
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4) Education and Promotion of Peace and Citizenship |
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Facilitator: Candelaria Ferrara. Uniservitate regional hub coordinator – CLAYSS. Reactor: Fr. Ezio Lorenzo Bono, CSF. Global Compact on Education. Dicastery for Culture and Education. |
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Sophia Opatska and Khrystyna Rutar– Ukrainian Catholic University. Ukraine |
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Dr. Maximiliane Schumm, Laura Kovac and Dr. Petra Hiebl – Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Rev. Dr. Mark Owusu – Catholic University of Ghana. |
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Eduardo F. Gutiérrez González – Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá, Facultad de Teología. |
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Mr. Froilan Alipao Simbahayan – University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. |
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5) Culture and Religions |
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Facilitador: Kathia Reynders – Project Facilitator Service-Learning – KU Leuven, Belgium. Reactor: Allan A. Basas, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. Global Compact on Education; Culture and Religions. |
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Dr. Prof. Simone Birkel – Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany |
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Dr. Yulia Vintoniv – Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine. |
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Franck Dubois and Antoine Six – Catholic University of Lille, France. |
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Br. Dr. Bernard Luwerekera– Kisubi Brothers University College Uganda. |
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11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
Coffee-break |
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11:30 AM – 01:00 PM Live Streaming |
Plenary session on “Service-Learning for a Fragmented World: Humanistic and Spiritual Approaches to Healing and Transformation”. Moderator: Fritzie Ian DeVera, Vice President for Lasallian Mission – De La Salle University, Philippines, |
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P. Peter Balleis, SJ – Executive President at Jesuit Worldwide Learning. |
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Fr. Ezio Lorenzo Bono – CSF. Global Compact on Education. Dicastery for Culture and Education. |
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Carol Ma Hok Ka – Uniservitate Academic Sounding Board. Singapore University of Social Sciences, Asian Service-learning Network. |
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Markian-Illia Mykytchyn-Vicerector of the Collegium Orientale Markian Mykytchyn |
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01:00 PM – 02:00 PM |
Lunch |
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02:30 PM – 04:00 PM Live Streaming |
Plenary session: Students nourishing Peace and Hope |
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Keynote speaker & Moderator Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová – Associate professor at the Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. |
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Students panel discussion: |
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Mariana Humenna – Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany. |
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Bakashaba Mark – University of Kisubi, Uganda. |
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Verona Eilika Pircher – Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Germany. |
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04:00 PM – 04:30 PM |
Coffee-break |
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04:30 PM – 05:15 PM Live Streaming |
Closing session – |
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Moderator: Olha Mykhailyshyn – Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Coordinator of the Uniservitate Central Eastern Europe & Middle East Regional Hub |
Speakers
Gabriele Gien
Rector of the KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany
Klaus Stüwe
Richard Brosse
Porticus, Países Bajos
María Rosa Tapia
Coordinator of Uniservitate-CLAYSS
Argentina
Ezio Bono
CSF. Global Compact on Education. Dicastery for Culture and Education
José Tolentino de Mendonça
Dicastery for Culture and Education. Prefect.
Michael Alberter
Nicolas Standaert
Karl-Heinz Gerholz
Taras Dobko
Br. Alejandro González Cerna
Bethlehem University, Palestina
Delmar Cardoso
Martin Bahati
Loyola University of Congo
Miao-Ju Chwo
Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
María Nieves Tapia
Director of CLAYSS
Argentina
Mercy Pushpalatha
United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia
Santiago Zapata
Pontifical Catholic University from Ecuador
Jimi Caldea
Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Hub Coordinator
Irena Polewczyk
Dawid Ledwoń
Katarzyna Trynda
Mariola Kozubek
Susan Haarman
Andrew Furco
Minnesota University, USA
Marina Tsoi
Mélodie Honen-Delmar
Teresa Loong
University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macau
Andrés Peregalli
Uniservitate-CLAYSS/UCA, Argentina
Isabel Capeloa Gil
Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP)
Montserrat Alom Bartrolí
Federación Internacional de Universidades Católicas (FIUC)
Bilal Awad Salameh
Elias Al Hazin
Moussa Rabadi
Kathia Reynders
KU Leuven Engage
Ridwan Anam
University of San Carlos
Sarah Mohamed Noor
Tangaza University College (TUC) Nairobi, Kenya
Francisco Ramírez Yáñez
Yaroslav Ovcharuk
Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine
Martin Schneider
Katharina Zöpfl
Barbara Fischer
Stephano Kamwaza
Catholic priest from Malawi
Michele Pistone
Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration
Andre Habisch
Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany
Layth Awwad
Ruba Ayyad
Nick Morris
Walsh University’s Brother Francis Blouin Scholars Program, USA
Audrey Dornisch
Walsh University, USA
Andrea Guzowski
Walsh University, USA
Joanna Marie Oliva – Pesquidous
Manager of the Catholic Mission at St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Aurelie Desmet
KU Leuven
José Palely
Assam Don Bosco University, India
María Fernanda Calvo
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Alina Rusu
University of Zürich, Switzerland
Julio del Valle
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Leire Bereziartua
Deusto Design Research Group team
Aiur Retegi
Deusto Design Research Group team
Jan Kamiński
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
Ewa Trzaskowska
Catholic University of Lublin, Poland
Sophia Opatska
Khrystyna Rutar
Petra Hiebl
Maximiliane Schumm
Laura Kovac
Mark Owusu
Catholic University of Ghana, Sunyani, Ghana
Eduardo F. Gutiérrez González
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Froilan Alipao Simbahayan
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Simone Birkel
Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Yulia Vintoniv
Ukrainian Catholic University
Franck Dubois
Catholic University in Lille
Antoine Six
Catholic University in Lille
Pius V Thomas
Bernard Luwerekera
University of Kisubi in Uganda, Eastern Africa
Peter Balleis
Executive President at Jesuit Worldwide Learning
Carol Ma Hok Ka
Singapore University of Social Sciences, Asian Service-learning Network.
Markian-Illia Mykytchyn
Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová
Universidad Matej Bel de Banská Bystrica, Eslovaquia
Mariana Humenna
Student at KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Bakashaba Mark
University of Kisubi, Uganda
Verona Eilika Pircher
Olha Mykhailyshyn
Moderators
Christiane Hoth de Olano
Rowena Roppelt
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Ann-Kathrin Bremer
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Candelaria Ferrara
Maria Müller-Pulsfuß
Romina Eloisa Abuan
Fritzie Ian De Vera
Vice President for Lasallian Mission of De La Salle University
Reactors
Rodrigo de Andrade
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Paraná. Brasil PUCPR
María Cinque
Universidad LUMSA, Italia.
Allan A. Basas
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Comittees
Honor Committee
Brosse, Richard | Porticus
Tapia, María Nieves | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje Servicio Solidario – CLAYSS
Gabriele Gien | Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Klaus Stüwe | Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Academic Committee
- Alom, Montserrat | Paris, France | FIUC
- Bouwman, Beatrix | South Africa | NWU
- Cinque, María | LUMSA
- Culum, Bojana | Rijeka, Croatia | UNIRI
- Ferrara, Candelaria | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate
- Furco, Andrew | Minneapolis, USA
- Gargantini, Daniela | Córdoba, Argentina | UCC
- Giorgetti, Daniel | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate | UBA
- Gómez Caride, Ezequiel | UdeSA – Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate
- Humphrey McCrabb, Barbara | USA | USCCB
- López Villareal, Leticia | Monterrey, Mexico | UDEM
- Ma, Carol | Singapore | SUSS
- Martinez Odria, Arantzazu | Spain | Universidad de San Jorge
- Martínez, Miquel | Barcelona, Spain | Universidad de Barcelona
- Mueller, María | Hub for Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East in Uniservitate Programme. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
- Mykhailyshyn, Olha | Hub for Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East Coordinator in Uniservitate Programme. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
- Peregalli, Andrés | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate | UCA
- Pushpalatha, Mercy | Madurai, India
- Tapia, María Rosa | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario – Programa Uniservitate
Organising Committee
- Dominici, Milagros | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate
- Ferrara, Candelaria | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate
- Giorgetti, Daniel | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate | UBA
- Mykhailyshyn, Olha | Hub for Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East Coordinator in Uniservitate Programme. Eichstätt-Ingolstadt University
- Mueller-Pulsfuss, María | Hub for Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East in Uniservitate Programme. Eichstätt-Ingolstadt University
- Peregalli, Andrés | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate | UCA
- Rodríguez, Pedro | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario-Programa Uniservitate
- Tapia, María Rosa | Centro Latinoamericano de Aprendizaje y Servicio Solidario- Programa Uniservitate
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