Australian Catholic University theology lecturer Jacqui Remond has encouraged students of a new global online course on Integral Ecology to “have the audacity” to unlearn the ego-centric behaviours causing poly-crises in the world.
Ms Remond, a leading expert in integral ecology and co-founder of the Laudato Si’ Movement, was a guest speaker for the third session of the Certificate Course in Integral Ecology recently offered by the Pontifical Universities in Rome. Ms Remond is the only Australian expert presenting in the six-month course.
Speaking to more than 600 people completing the course, Ms Remond briefly explored the significance of Chapter 3 of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, titled, The Human Roots Of The Ecological Crisis.
“Chapter 3 is really rich and dense because it goes to the guts of Laudato Si’, that is, the rich philosophical analysis and theological thinking that is needed to respond to the poly-crises facing the world today,” she said.
“I wanted to provide some framing around the notion that all things are interconnected, and this requires us to re-examine and embody a sense of relationship that’s close with our creator and creation, closer than what it’s been in this industrial age and the crises we’re in.”
Ms Remond said creating more environmental programs and initiatives wouldn’t necessarily solve the crises.
“There is a serious risk that our solutions are coming from the same flawed thinking that have contributed to the crises in the first place,” Ms Remond said.
“Pope Francis is alerting us to an “ego-centric” model, with man superior to all creation, even women, present in so many of our communities and institutions.”
Highlighting a theo-centric worldview, where men and women were placed “at the bottom of a love heart, to be of service to all within creation” was more closely aligned with integral ecology. This approach requires a “deep journey, to recognise and unlearn fragmented patterns of thinking, being and relating to restore socio-cultural- ecological justice”.
Ms Remond praised the Integral Ecology course, saying it was accessible for the first time online and in English and enrolments remain open until March 31st.
To enrol in the program and to begin viewing the prior sessions, register at this link: https://immatricolazioni.unigre.it
FULL STORY
Jacqui Remond presents at global Integral Ecology course (ACU)
