Festus Tarawalie – Vatican City.

Nearly 100 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the conference from September 5-9 at the Aerospace Engineering Faculty of the University of La Sapienza in Rome, on Via Salaria. African students from Congo, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Cape Verde and South Africa will participate.

young scientist of faith

The International Conference under the theme “Global Fraternity and Solidarity among Young People in Faith, Science and Culture in the Vision of the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti (FT) and Laudato Si (LS)” is the international initiative “Assumpta Organized by Science. Center Ofekata – Owerri, Nigeria (ASCO) collaborates with the Pontifical Foundation “Scholas Occurrentes” under the auspices of the New Vatican Diocese for Culture and Education.

The aim of the ASCO initiative is to “engage in dialogue with the religious beliefs of young people through informal and formal scientific learning activities to promote the development and growth of modern science and technology culture at the grassroots level.” initiative. After acquiring such knowledge through his STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) studies in practice at science centers such as those in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the youth and volunteer students are encouraged to apply that knowledge to Sharing with the community is encouraged. To engage in activities towards sustainable development and environmental protection.

clean and green campaign

For example, through the Clean and Green Enlightenment Campaign, ASCO is using science to raise environmental awareness among Nigerian youth and local communities. This is a direct response to the 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si on Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Care for Our Common Home”. The aim is to apply concrete encounters with science to real life so that real needs can be solved in the light of faith.

Featured speakers at the Rome Summit include: Reverend Raphael Martinelli – Bishop of Frascati and Reverend of Italy’s National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN). Francesco Agnoli – historian of science, journalist, writer, author. Dr. Rev. Fr. Dieter Hattorp – Mathematician, Physicist, Professor Emeritus of Doctrine, Faculty of Theology, Paderborn, Germany &; University of Friborg, Switzerland. Rev. Fr. Dr. John Egbleff – Professor Emeritus of Doctrinal Theology, Pontifical City College, Rome. and he Engr. Kathy Lueders – Director of Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) at NASA.

Faith and Science in Dialogue

Invited by Pope Benedict on the occasion of the European University Days in March 2006, ASCO will promote concrete projects of a scientific and cultural nature as a way of promoting dialogue between science, faith and sustainable development. It was launched in response to a request from the university to undertake .

Pope Francis made this connection between science, faith and development in his two Encyclicals, Laudatosi and Lumen Fidei, and the Apostolic Exhortation, Evangeli Gaudium, on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world. I am repeating my complaint.

US Gospel Music Concert in Rome

The summit will be preceded by a gospel music concert by singers from Atlanta, USA and ASCO from Owerri, Nigeria on Sunday, September 4th at 9pm at the Parish Church of St. Marcellinus and Peter ‘Al Laterano’ in Rome.

The concert will raise awareness and fund the “ASCO” project, including the creation of the African Science Center (an interactive science museum), headquartered in southeastern Nigeria, with chapters in other African countries and regions. helps.

According to Father Anyadike, its purpose is to create a space “as a sign of intellectual charity, from young people, students, teachers, volunteer adults, Italians and other nations, to fulfill their mission, long or short, depending on the possibilities. To experience such informal ‘hands-on’ science learning activities in a religious atmosphere and to work alongside African colleagues.

For more information on how you can support the project, please send an email to [email protected].