The first Sustainability Week at Universidade Católica, which took place from 24 to 28 November simultaneously on all four campuses, was very well attended by students, who praised the more than 60 activities organised and valued the experiences and learning opportunities provided.
“Participating in Sustainability Week was a very enriching experience. The workshops and conferences, especially Loving the Planet and the inauguration of the Students’ Garden, showed me that sustainability is not only an environmental issue, but also an ethical and social one. It was inspiring to see the academic community so involved and to realise that small collective actions can have a big impact. I leave this week with new ideas and a lot of motivation to apply these principles in my daily life,” says Dinis Lapyuk, a Communication Sciences student in Braga.
“Sustainability Week allowed me to realise the importance of combining reflection and action. The Integral Ecology in Action conference and the workshop on bioeconomics in the textile industry gave me practical and inspiring tools to think about sustainable solutions, even in technical areas. In addition, learning about the results of the study ‘How are we doing in terms of sustainability?’ (on how to build a more sustainable campus) made me feel part of a campus that really wants to evolve. It was a week that challenged me to rethink my habits and actively contribute to a more sustainable future,” agrees Joana Lourenço, a master’s student in Clinical and Health Psychology, also in Braga.
In Porto, the various proposals of Sustainability Week also captivated the students. For Rafaela Geraldo, "it was a very enriching experience". The student participated in several lectures and activities that "helped her better understand the impact our choices have on the planet and society". "I learned that small everyday actions can make a difference, and I felt that the university is truly committed to a more responsible future", she adds.
On this campus, for example, there was a charity walk with the participation of Rosa Mota, a charity padel tournament, a clothing exchange fair and a sustainable ideas competition, as well as workshops on plant-based eating, sustainable workplace exercise, food use, academic burnout and textile upcycling.
“Sustainability Week made me realise how small actions can have a big impact. I leave this week more aware and motivated to continue acting sustainably in my daily life,” says Sofia Sousa, also a student at Católica in Porto. Juliana Aguiar, another participant, echoes this sentiment, emphasising that “sustainability is not a trend, it is a necessity”. Ana Curado, also studying in Porto, points out that “especially in the world of science, it is very important to have these notions so that we can create a more sustainable ethic in the laboratory and in our lives as scientists”.
In Viseu, Sustainability Week included a swap and donation market, dyslexia screenings, tree planting, a seminar on inclusion and intervention with homeless people, a collection of children's and young adult books, and the "SustentaArte" competition, which challenged participants to create artistic sculptures from materials considered waste.
For the dental students who participated in some of these activities, there were several lessons and recommendations. For Rodrigo Giroto and Francisco Alves, “sustainability means taking care of the present without compromising the future” because “the future is born from what we do today”. For Serigne Sylla and Sidonie Bernard, it is essential to avoid wasting water, recycle and work together to protect the environment. “Sustainability starts with small things that make a big difference”, Alice Figueiredo also emphasises.
At Católica's headquarters in Lisbon, the workshop Behind the Music: Building Sustainable Festivals was one of the most popular. "I'm interested in festivals and don't know much about sustainability, so I thought it would be a great combination", explains Elisa, a German student pursuing a master's degree in Strategic Marketing. "I think it's very interesting and good that they also teach this here at the university, because it's something that interests young students", agrees Leticia, an International Management student who is also German. Maya, another participant, says she gained a better understanding of the ‘enormous infrastructure’ that supports a festival and the work everyone does to make it more sustainable.
With its first Sustainability Week, the Universidade Católica sought to encourage the entire academic community to turn intentions into concrete actions. Through a diverse programme addressing the various pillars of sustainability, the aim was to create opportunities for reflection and knowledge sharing, based on a holistic and integrated view of this topic, taking into account the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
