Next week, New York will be the epicenter of the ninth edition of the International Diploma in Social Doctrine of the Church, an event organized annually by the International Academy of Catholic Leaders. More than 150 leaders from Latin America, Europe, and Africa will gather at Saint John’s University to explore and debate global challenges from the perspective of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Commitment to the formation and promotion of Catholic leaders
José Antonio Rosas, general director of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders, highlighted the importance of this meeting: “New York hosts this diploma course, the result of the effort and dedication of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders. Catholic leaders from various latitudes will converge in this capital of economic power to study essential aspects in the promotion of integral human development. This annual event reaffirms our commitment to the formation of Catholic leaders and the promotion of the Social Doctrine of the Church. We maintain our fidelity to the mandate of Pope Francis, who received us in 2019, and we continue with our educational mission every year”.
Agenda 2030 under the light of Social Doctrine
The main focus this year will be the analysis of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, addressed through the teachings of the Social Doctrine of the Church. Featured speakers include Rocco Buttiglione, president of the International Academy of Catholic Leaders; Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, former president of Costa Rica and current vice president of the Academy; Sister Liliana Franco, president of the Latin American Confederation of Religious; and Fernando Carrillo Flórez, former Minister of the Interior of Colombia.
José Antonio Rosas highlighted: “Analyzing the 2030 Agenda from the perspective of Social Doctrine, free of ideologies and guided by the principles of the Church, is an exercise in communion with Pope Francis and reflects the teachings of the Holy See on development integral human. We focus on America, a continent marked by inequalities in its development, where we aspire to work from Christian hope to bring the good news and promote the common good, especially among those most in need.”
The International Academy of Catholic Leaders is a leading center for training in the Social Doctrine of the Church, present in 40 dioceses in 14 countries. To date, it has graduated more than 35 thousand students in in-person and virtual programs, consolidating itself as a pillar in the training of leaders committed to building a more just society.
