- 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
- 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
- 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
8:30 AM Registration & coffee.
09:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Opening Session – Live Streamed
- Gabriele Gien – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. President
- Klaus Stüwe – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Vice-Rector
- Richard Brosse – Portfolio Manager of Vital Catholic Thought at Porticus
- Maria Rosa Tapia – Uniservitate Program Coordinator
- Card. José Tolentino de Mendonça – Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education
- Fr. Ezio Bono – Member of the Committee for the Global Compact on Education of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
- Eichstätt Episcopate Representative
- Nicolas Standaert – Deputy director of EOSHLE. University of Leuven, Belgium
- Julia Derkau (HNBV, Hochschulnetzwerk Bildung durch Verantwortung e.V. In English it is University Network for Social Responsibility) Universität Mannheim. Head of Educational Innovation at the Center for Teacher Education and Educational Innovation (ZLBI)
- Key-note speaker: Taras Dobko – Ukrainian Catholic University. Rector.
SL institutionalization during the war. - Moderator: Olha Mykhailyshyn – Uniservitate CEE&ME Regional Hub Coordinator
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Coffee-break
11:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Plenary session 1 – Live Streamed
Building Resilience through Service-Learning: A Global University Dialogue
- Br Alejandro González Cerna – Dean of the Faculty of Education and Chair of the Curriculum and Pedagogy Department at Bethlehem University in Palestine.
- Rev. Dieudonne Mbiribindi Bahati – Loyola University of Congo in Kinshasa ( Kimwenza). Profesor
- Dr. Miao-Ju Chwo -Fu Jen Catholic University. Director, Service-Learning Center
- Key-note speaker: María Nieves Tapia – CLAYSS Director
General perspective on SL in the fragmented and fragile world - Moderator: Christiane Hoth de Olano. University of Bern. Early Posdoc
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Lunch break
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Simultaneous sessions on research – Registered participants by Zoom
- Topic 1 Spirituality
Exploring the Spiritual Dimensions of Service-Learning
(How Meaning-Making, Ethics, and Compassion Shape Service in Times of Crisis)
– Mercy Pushpalatha, – Uniservitate Academic Sounding Board
– Jimi Caldea – De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila, Philippines. Service-Learning Specialist at the Center for Social Concern and Action. Coordinator of the Uniservitate Asia and Oceania Regional Hub
– Prof. Katarzyna Trynda Faculty of Science and Technology University of Silesia in Katowice
– Santiago Zapata PUCE – Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador, Docente-Investigador de la Dirección de Identidad y Misión
Moderator: Dr. Prof Rowena Roppelt Vice Chair for Study and Teaching; Acting Professor of Liturgics and Dogmatics. - Topic 2 Institutionalisation
Institutional Pathways for Sustainable Service-Learning
(Structures, Policies, and Practices that anchor Service-Learning in Higher Education)
– Andrew Furco – University of Minnesota. Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizational Development.
– Isabel Capeloa Gil – Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP). Rector. Former President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
– Dr. Marina Tsoi – Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, course coordinator for the cooperation courses with JWL at the School of Transformation and Sustainability;
– Mélodie Honen-Delmar – Global Director of Professional Programs and Research Manager at Jesuit Worldwide Learning
Barnett, Freire, and Service-Learning: Higher Education in a Fragile World
– Dr. Teresa Loong – University of Saint Joseph. Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Macao.
– Andres Peregalli – Universidad Católica Argentina. Uniservitate Program Vice coordinator
Moderator: Dr. Ann-Kathrin Bremer – Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Research associate | Professorship of Didactics of Geography and Education for Sustainable Development - Topic 3 Students Impact and Networks
Student and Alumni Impact and Transnational Networks in Service-Learning (Empowering Students and Building Bridges through Local and Global Engagement)
– Montserrat Alom – CIRAD-International Center for Research and Decision Support of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC).
– Bilal Awad Salameh, Moussa Rabadi & Elias Al Hazin -Bethlehem University, Palestine.
Sociology of Learning by Doing; Indicators of Measuring Service Learning Among Students at Bethlehem University
– Kathia Reynders – KU Leuven. Project Facilitator Service-Learning
– Mr. Ridwan Anam – University of San Carlos. Students Fellowship representative
– Sarah Noor – Tangaza University, student, School of education.
Moderator: Candelaria Ferrara CLAYSS - Topic 4 Rectors Meeting. Close meeting by invitation.
Moderator: Maria Rosa Tapia & Andres Peregalli CLAYSS
04:00 PM – 04:30 PM Coffee-break
04:30 PM – 05:15 PM Activity for onsite participants
05:15 PM – 06:00 PM Free Time
06:00 PM Holy Mass with Choir Collegium Orientale
07:00 PM Dinner
8:30 AM Coffee
09:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Simultaneous sessions Global Compact on Education & SL Experiences – Registered participants by Zoom
1) Dignity and Human Rights
Upholding Human Dignity: Service-Learning Projects for Justice and Inclusion
- Martin Schneider – Human Rights SL project, Cooperation with AK Shalom
- Rev. Fr. Stephano Kamwaza – Catholic University of Malawi
2) Fraternity and Cooperation
Service-Learning for Global Solidarity and Local Cooperation
- Dr. Prof. Andre Habisch -KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Professor
- Nick Morris -Walsh University. Blouin Faculty Director Academic Affairs Joey Oliva – St Mary´s (UK)
3) Technology and Integral Ecology
Innovating for the Planet: Tech-Driven Service-Learning for Ecological Justice
- Fr. (Dr.) Jose Palely – Assam Don Bosco University, Vice Chancellor and Rector.
- Alina Rusu – Civic Engagement Center at University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Professor and Coordinator
- Dr. Eng. Jan Kamiński – Department of Landscape Planning and Design, Faculty of Natural and Technical Science John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. Assistant Professor
4) Education and Promotion of Peace and Citizenship
Service-Learning as a Pathway to Active Citizenship and Conflict Transformation
- Sophia Opatska – Ukrainian Catholic University. Vice-Rector of Strategic Development. Project ServU Lessons Learned
- Dr. Maximiliane Schumm – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Senior Lecturer
- Laura Kovac – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Research associate at Servus MINT, KU ZLB (project SKYSS)
- Rev. Dr. Mark Owusu. Catholic University of Ghana. Lecturer/Acting Dean of Students
- Eduardo F. Gutiérrez González, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá, Facultad de Teología
- MR. Froilan Alispao Simbahayan – University of Santo Tomas, Director.
5) Culture and Religions
Dialogues that Transform: Intercultural and Interfaith Service-Learning in Practice
- Dr. Prof. Simone Birkel – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Religious Education, Member of the Senate
- Dr. Yulia Vintoniv – Ukrainian Catholic University. Doctor of Philosophy
- Antoine Six – Catholic University of Lille (France).
- Br. Dr. Bernard Luwerekera- Kisubi Brothers University College Uganda. Deputy Principal
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Coffee-break
11:30 AM – 01:00 PM
Plenary session 2 – Live Streamed
Service-Learning for a Fragmented World: Humanistic and Spiritual Approaches to Healing and Transformation
Moderator: Fritzie Ian DeVera De La Salle University. Vice President for Lasallian Mission, De La Salle University
- P. Peter Balleis, SJ – Executive President at Jesuit Worldwide Learning
- Fr. Ezio Bono – Member of the Committee for the Global Compact on Education of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
- Carol Ma Hok Ka – Uniservitate Academic Sounding Board. Singapore University of Social Sciences, Asian Service-learning Network.
- Markian-Illia Mykytchyn, Vicerector of the Collegium Orientale Markian Mykytchyn
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Lunch
02:30 PM – 04:00 PM
Plenary session 3 – Lived Streamed
Students nourishing Peace and Hope
Keynote speaker & Moderator
Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová – Associate professor at the Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
Students panel discussion
How have we changed?
What have we struggled with?
What can we improve?
04:00 PM – 04:30 PM Coffee-break
04:30 PM – 05:15 PM
Closing session – Lived Streamed
Moderator: Olha Mykhailyshyn – KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Coordinator of the Uniservitate Central Eastern Europe & Middle East Regional Hub
Comittees
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
- 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
- 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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