Spirituality and Sustainability Conference
“Spirituality, Ethics, and Higher Education for a New Millennium”
Assisi, Italy
July 7–14, 2000

Conference Schedule
“Spirituality, Ethics, and Higher Education for a New Millennium”

July 7, 2000	Arriving at the Conference
Morning	Arrival at Rome’s International Airport
12:15 pm	Departure via motor coach for Hotel Posta in Assisi
3:00–4:00 pm	Snacks from the Umbrian region at Hotel Posta
4:30 pm	Walking tour of the city and reception at the Franciscan Center for Dialogue
Evening	Welcoming Dinner
July 8, 2000	St. Francis, St. Claire, and Humane Spirituality
Morning	The focus will be on Assisi, the original inspiration for the conference. Presentations on St. Francis, St. Claire, Thomas Berry’s work, and the Canticle of the Creatures will be given by scholars and local Franciscans.
Afternoon	A guided bus tour of San Damiano and St. Francis’ Hermitage will be given and time will be allotted for contemplative experience in the Hermitage, and the surrounding grottos and woodlands. Those wishing to hike can travel back down the mountain paths of Mt. Subasio into Assisi.
July 9, 2000	Religions of the World and Ecology
9:30 am	Mass celebrated by Father Mizzi at the Franciscan Center for Dialogue.
Morning/Afternoon	Organizers of the Harvard University Conferences on World Religions and Ecology Series and the Parliament of World Religions will reflect on Franciscan sensibilities, environmental concerns, and the quest for sustainable communities in the world’s religious traditions.
4:30–6:30 pm	Tour the Basilica of St. Francis
Evening	Concert of medieval music
July 10, 2000	Emerging Global Ethics and the Earth Charter
Morning	The history of concern with global ethics and the various religious United Nations and non-governmental organization movements and documents will be reviewed. European and international leaders of the Earth Charter campaigns will also speak about the Earth Charter draft and its various campaigns.
Afternoon/Evening	The Jubilee Event: The year 2000 is a Jubilee year for the Roman Catholic Church and major events celebrating the theme of reconciliation are occurring throughout Italy. Members of the conference will participate in one of these events.
July 11, 2000	Higher Education and A Sustainable Future
Morning/Afternoon	Colleges and universities are beginning to transform their curricula, operations, research, and outreach to respond to the environmental challenges we are now facing. Leading innovators in the “greening of higher education” will reflect on the nature and challenges of embodying spirituality and sustainability on local campuses.
Evening	Dinner at La Stalla
July 12, 2000	Small Group Work on Higher Education for Sustainability and the Earth Charter
Morning/Afternoon	Opportunities will be given for small groups to meet to discuss specific concerns (Tuesday afternoon through Thursday). An Earth Charter group will meet to discuss the European strategies for the International Campaign. Representatives of the Associated Colleges of the South will meet to discuss their environmental initiatives. Students will have ample opportunity to pursue their coursework and various times will be scheduled (Tuesday through Thursday) for conference participants to enjoy smaller excursions in and around Assisi including tours to religious and cultural sites, shopping trips, and various sporting events (e.g., swimming and hiking on Mt. Subasio).
July 13, 2000	Small Group Work on Higher Education for Sustainability and the Earth Charter
Morning	Small group work sessions continue
Afternoon	Outcomes and future plans of the group are reported to conference participants
Evening	Farewell dinner
July 14, 2000	Departure from Hotel Posta for Rome’s International Airport or for a day trip into Rome.
Note:	At the Hotel Posta, breakfast is served from 7:00–8:30 am each day. This will be followed by our morning conference sessions. Lunch includes a siesta and occurs from 12:30–2:00 pm. This will be followed by our afternoon sessions/excursions.
Conference Rates
Double Occupancy	$1,300.00
Single Occupancy	$1,500.00

These conference fees include the reception, welcoming dinner, dinner at the Jubilee Event and the La Stalla, a farewell party, meals and accommodations for seven days, guided excursions to the nearby countryside, and a motor coach to and from Rome. Airfare is not included in this package and must be purchased separately.

Registration
To obtain more information or to register for the conference, please contact Rick Clugston at the Center for Respect of Life and Environment.