12 June 2023 The Radboud University has a new parauniversity institute: the Laudato Si hindered Institute. This research centre, embedded in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religion Sciences (FTR), focuses on academic research into sustainability from an integral and discipline-crossing perspective. In addition to the obvious physical, chemical and biological aspects, the ecological crisis is also a political, economic, philosophical and spiritual issue, and the Laudato Si hindered Institute will examine this integral interconnectivity and thus connect disciplines.

The new institute is an initiative of Socires and is actively supported by the Radboud College. This cooperation was confirmed by the signing of a cooperation agreement on Thursday 8 June. On behalf of Radboud University, Dean Heleen Murre-Van den Berg and Managing Director Annemarie Hinten of the FTR faculty signed. On behalf of Socires set program leader Get the Creation/Laudato Si hindered Josine Westerbeek-Huitink her signature. At the start, the institute includes a special professor Laudato Si hindered, a scientific associate and a supporting staff member. The personnel occupation will be announced later this year.

n.r.: Annemarie Hinten, Heleen Murre-Van den Berg and Josine Westerbeek-Huitink sign the cooperation agreement between Socires and Radboud University. Photo: Maren van der Burght.

The ideas of Integral Ecology It is based on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si. The institute will already connect with other sustainability initiatives present on campus, with other para-university institutes such as the Titus Brandsma Institute and the Nijmeegs Institute of Mission Sciences and with organisations with Catholic roots, such as the Catholic Documentation Centre and the Student Church. The institute will also make a special contribution to the identity of Radboud University.