ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY

Siena’s Laudato Si’ Center hosts spring 2026 symposium

Brother Michael Perry, OFM, director of Siena University's Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology, spoke at the center's 2026 “Reimagining Economy: For People and Planet” symposium, held on Feb. 5 at the Marcelle Athletic Complex at Siena. (Provided photo)

Imagine a world where caring for our economy and caring for our planet worked hand in hand. That hope was at the heart of Siena University’s spring 2026 “Reimagining Economy: For People and Planet” symposium.

The second annual event, held on Feb. 5 at the Marcelle Athletic Complex on campus, was organized by Siena’s Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology in collaboration with the Siena School of Business and Siena Spirit of ’68 Committee.

The day allowed students to explore job opportunities, learn about real-life solutions for current climate challenges, and participate in fruitful discussions on the crucial impact the economy plays in sustainability efforts. 

“We need a more fraternal approach,” said Brother Jimmy Kernan, OFM, Assistant Director for the Laudato Si’ Center. “We’re re-imaging how we do this in the world. We’ve seen Pope Leo lean into that as well with his emphasis on the poor, and we thought this was really timely. The School of Business’ focus is on integral community development here, and when we think about what we are doing with integral ecology and how they work together, we thought it was a great partnership.”

The symposium featured a handful of talks, including Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conventual, on engaging the world through the lens of St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures” and the broader Franciscan tradition; a discussion between Kirsten S. Moy (Aspen Institute) and Aaron Pacitti from Siena’s School of Business, on approaches to societal impact and integral community development; and the day’s keynote speaker, Amy Domini (Domini Impact Investments Fund) discussing an economy that promotes fairness, equality, justice, long-term sustainability and respect for human rights.

“I think the thing that these symposiums are doing is bringing the conversation into a bigger space,” Brother Kernan said. “It’s really inviting people into the conversation, and one of the things we’ve seen is it’s had an impact in a way we’re starting to talk about this more … and really bringing to the mainstream these kinds of conversations across campus.”

The Center for Integral Ecology first opened in January 2023 and is named after the late Pope Francis’ second encyclical published during his papacy: “Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home.”

“Reimagining Economy” — the first symposium since the pope’s passing last year — is fitting to the late pope’s legacy, said Brother Kernan, noting that for years, when Pope Francis spoke about the environment, “the economy was a theme.”

“The symposium is one of the ways to remember his legacy,” said Brother Kernan. “It’s not a remembrance in nostalgia, it’s a remembrance in what Pope Leo right now is saying … When we look at Pope Leo’s first stages of the papacy, he’s been that person of, ‘Hey, if you thought these ideas were going away, they’re not.’ ”

Just days before the event, a letter was sent to Siena from Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The note sent “cordial good wishes” from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to everyone taking part in Siena’s symposium. 

Brother Kernan hoped that everyone who attended the symposium left recognizing that “they can do something” to support sustainability efforts. 

“It feels like such a big issue,” he said. “It feels like this beast that’s way outside of us that kind of controls our lives around us, but really … I can participate in this, I can engage in this in some ways. It will give other students chances to meet with people and (see) here is a volunteer opportunity, here is a way you can write letters to civic leaders, or here’s a way you can engage with some of what we’re seeing going on around us. So hopefully that will be something where people can actually take something with them.”

For more information on the Laudato Si’ Center or upcoming events, visit www.siena.edu/centers-institutes/laudato-si/.