About the event
From 27 to 29 August 2026, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) will host the SACRU Scientific Colloquium & Governing Board, organized by the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU).
Entitled "Empathy Across Contexts: Hope and Recognition in a Shared Common Home," the Colloquium is open to researchers, faculty members, and invited experts from SACRU universities and partner institutions, featuring leading academics and practitioners in its programme. Through keynote lectures, multidisciplinary panels, and roundtable discussions, participants will explore empathy as a guiding principle for addressing social, cultural, educational, and environmental challenges.
The discussions will contribute to a joint position paper and strengthen research, dialogue, and international cooperation across the Alliance. Alongside the Colloquium, the SACRU Governing Board will meet to discuss strategic priorities and future collaborative initiatives.
See the programme
Invitation-only event, open to researchers, faculty members, and invited experts.
Free Admission | Registration online or at the Venue
The event is open to the public and free of charge. No prior registration is required. Participants may register and collect their credentials upon arrival at the venue.
August 27th, Thursday
6:00 PM Vernissage Empathy Triennale
August 28th, Friday
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Registration
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Welcome and Introduction
With Pe. Anderson and Isabel Gil
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Plenary Session - Empathy Across Contexts: hope and recognition in a Shared Common Home
Chair: Lourdes Maria Souza (PUC-Rio)
Keynote Speaker: Isabel Gil (UCP)
Roundtable participants: João Vitor Leste (PUC-Rio), P. Osvaldo Fernández de Castro (UC-Chile) and James Keenan (Boston College) - Online
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Coffee Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Panel 1: Empathy as strategy and representation in the arts and humanities - How can art contribute to open new perspectives?
Chair: Luiz Camilo (PUC-Rio)
Keynote speaker: Nuno Crespo (UCP/General Curator Trienale)
Roundtable participants: Mariane Krause (UC-Chile) and Carlos Eduardo Felix (PUC-Rio)
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch Break
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Panel 2: Food insecurities and sustainable development
Chair: Marco Cremona (PUC-Rio)
Keynote speaker: Pier Sandro Cocconcelli (UCSC)
Roundtable participants: Paulo Esteves (PUC-Rio), Marta Vasconcelos (UCP), Prof. Julián Colorado (Javeriana) e Ben de Spain (ACU) - Online
5:00 PM Visit to Vik Muniz Studio
August 29th, Saturday
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Panel 3: Aporophobia and ethical responsibility
Chair: Camila Pontual
Keynote speaker: Maria d'Oliveira Martins (Specialist in Aporophobia - UCP)
Roundtable participants: Átila Roque (fundação Ford - CEBRI), Flavio Comim (QS School of Management) (to be confirmed) and Rafael Soares (PUC-Rio – Experiência Dom Helder Câmara)
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Coffee Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Panel 4: Educational challenges: new technologies and old Inequalities
Chair: Edgar Lyra (PUC-Rio)
Keynote speaker: Ricardo Henriques (UNIBANCO Institute of Education)
Roundtable participants: Juan Eduardo Ibáñez (UC-Chile), Leslie Bethell / Ana Celia Castro (CEBRI), Andrés Rosas Wulfers (Javeriana) and Henrique Antunes (Law School - UCP)
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch Break
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Plenary Session / (dynamics) - Outcome of the discussion and position paper
Closed door session
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Closing Remarks
Speakers: Prof. Isabel Gil (SACRU President / Rector), Prof. Pier Sandro Cocconcelli (SACRU Secretary General) and Pe. Anderson
For Governing Board only
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Governing Board
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Coffee Break
11:30 AM - 13:00 PM Governing Board
13:00 PM - 14:30 PM Lunch Break
14:30 PM - 16:30 PM Plenary Session: Outcome of the discussion and position paper
Closed door session
16:30 PM - 17:00 PM Closing Remarks
With Prof. Isabel Gil (SACRU President) and Prof. Pier Sandro Cocconcelli (SACRU Secretary General)
Watch the presentations
Live streaming of the lectures and panels will be available throughout the event, from 27 to 29 August 2026, on the Official PUC-Rio YouTube channel.
Go to the Official PUC-Rio YouTube channelAccess the venue
PUC-Rio has two main entrances:
- Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225: pedestrian access only;
- Rua Padre Leonel Franca: access for both vehicles and pedestrians.
For visitors arriving by car, taxi, or ride-hailing service, Rua Padre Leonel Franca is usually the most convenient drop-off point.
Guide to Rio de Janeiro
This material contains essential information to ensure a peaceful and rewarding stay, as well as key details to guarantee a safe, healthy, and pleasant experience.