The University of San Agustin (USA), through its International Relations Office (IRO) and the University of San Agustin Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (USARDFI), participated in the 2026 Villanova International Sustainability Conference held on 12–15 October 2026 in Rome, Italy, joining an international gathering dedicated to advancing dialogue, research, and collaboration on sustainability.
Representing the University were John Paul P. Mondejar, Director of the IRO, and Felinor Naira Villa, Executive Director of USARDFI. Their participation reflected the University’s commitment to strengthening international engagement, advancing research and development, and contributing to global discussions on sustainability.
Hosted by Villanova University, an Augustinian Catholic higher education institution in the United States, the conference brought together scholars, academic leaders, and practitioners to exchange perspectives on sustainability and explore opportunities for meaningful collaboration across institutions and sectors. Discussions underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, international cooperation, and institutional responsibility in addressing the complex social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing the global community.
A notable highlight was the awarding of the inaugural Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal at Borgo Laudato Si’, a center for integral ecology, education, and sustainable agriculture located within the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo. His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., former Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, was named the medal’s inaugural recipient. The recognition highlighted the importance of advancing sustainability through a vision of integral human development that places human dignity, care for creation, and the well-being of communities at the center of collective action.
The medal also underscored that sustainability extends beyond environmental protection to encompass moral responsibility, social justice, and the pursuit of a more humane and equitable world.
The participation of IRO and USARDFI reflected the University’s engagement with international academic discussions linking global partnerships, research development, and sustainability. While IRO advances the University’s internationalization efforts through institutional linkages and academic cooperation, USARDFI supports its research and development initiatives. Their participation provided an opportunity to engage with global perspectives that may inform future institutional initiatives and contribute to the University’s broader mission.
Grounded in its Augustinian values of Unitas, Caritas, and Veritas, the University of San Agustin continues to pursue an educational and research mission that places truth, solidarity, and service at the heart of its engagement with society. Its participation in the conference reaffirmed the relevance of these values in addressing global sustainability challenges and fostering a future that respects human dignity, promotes responsible stewardship, and serves the common good.
SDG: SDG 17
