Developing a Culture of Care: Ecological Education According to Laudato si’

Abstract

As seedbeds, academic institutions must be an avenue of reflection which involves different sectors of the community. The social encyclical Laudato si’ centralized on the theme of integral ecology where it emphasizes interconnections which includes human and social dimensions. This paper attempts to explore Laudato si’s elaboration on ecological education. While existing Catholic Social Teachings from Rerum Novarum until Caritas in Veritate address different social realities, the question on the topic of ecology as well as teachings on the environment has been scarcely incorporated. This paper analyzes Laudato si’s conceptual elaboration of ecological education and how this conceptual elaboration provides the framework for the encyclical’s vision of ecological education in the contemporary period.

Keywords

• ecological education
• Ecology
• Laudato Si’
• Catholic social teaching
• Pope Francis