Vincentian Center for Church and Society

In the context of intergenerational concerns this Roundtable discusses the nexus of energy, water and food security policies and how they impact each other. We will examine push-pull factors at this nexus and identify steps and actions for achieving social justice for a sustainable future.

Environmental sustainability must be examined as a moral imperative that demands consideration beyond politics, economics and even science. This Roundtable examines the urgency that compels each of us to commit to personal and communal initiatives to aim toward environmental justice and to re-establish a harmonious relationship between the earth and her people.

Human history is fraught with tensions and battles between employees and employees. Evolving technologies have continuously re-shaped the organization of human labor. How is the 21st century changing and challenging the human dignity found in work? How can we protect the dignity of work for future generations?

Conditions such as pollution, access to food sources and hazardous waste as well as natural disasters may compromise one’s health. Additionally, social factors such as workplace stress, conflict and racism can affect physiological and mental health. The cost of these factors, such as an inability to learn or earn, is enormous. What can individuals and communities do to help chart a healthier future for all, and especially persons who live in poverty, who suffer discrimination, oppression, and environmental hazards?

The wide and growing gap between the rich and poor, as well as the shrinking middle class, may be the biggest threat to peace and security, both within and between countries. This Roundtable discusses the causes of this rise in inequality and suggests pathways we can take to create a more equitable, peaceful, and secure world.

Education is critical for people to acquire the knowledge and skills to change their consumption behavior and to become more creative and active citizens. With a special concern for persons living in poverty or who are disabled, what must be the priorities for education to better prepare people for life, for job security, and for the demands of a rapidly changing world and technological advances?