A Catholic university in Yogyakarta is helping a local elementary school integrate ecological values into its education system, as part of a broader effort to promote Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for the environment.
On April 12, the Laudato Si Team of Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta (UAJY) conducted a mentoring session with 25 administrators of SD Kanisius Sengkan, marking a step toward the school’s transformation into a “green campus.”
According to the Archdiocese of Semarang, the initiative reflects UAJY’s commitment as a Laudato Si’ University and member of the Indonesian Laudato Si Movement’s Yogyakarta chapter.
“This activity was a concrete expression of UAJY’s commitment to supporting educational institutions that care for the environment,” the team said in a statement.
The session was led by Prof. Ir. Ign. Pramana Yuda, M.Si., Ph.D., with faculty members Roberto Reno Sitepu and P. Kianto Atmodjo facilitating discussions and sharing practical strategies.
Sitepu, a theology lecturer at UAJY, said Pope Francis’ encyclical provides not only a theological foundation but also spiritual guidance and practical direction.
“Love, which is the foundation of the Catholic faith, extends not only to fellow human beings but also to all of God’s creations,” he said.
Atmodjo emphasized the importance of integrating environmental care into the school’s vision and curriculum.
“Each subject should include topics on the beauty of nature and waste management, whether for knowledge enrichment, behavior formation, or skills development,” he said.
He cited low-cost, practical examples such as using recycled plastic bottles to teach scientific concepts like fluid properties and plant growth.
He also stressed the need to involve parents in environmental education, calling for a stronger partnership between school and home.
SD Kanisius Sengkan principal Andrias Yance Eko Sutopa, S.Pd., said the school is committed to becoming a “green school” in line with the government’s Adiwiyata program for sustainable education.
School committee chair Andreas Rudyanto, S.S., M.Hum., welcomed UAJY’s support and affirmed their readiness to “support the next steps in cultivating an environmentally conscious culture.”
He encouraged teachers and students to use the school’s integrated farming area for hands-on learning.
The initiative is further supported by a group of alumni and local advocates who have formed a green community that works with students and teachers on sustainable practices, including composting, organic gardening, and waste segregation.
“Let us take steps, big or small, to care for one another and stay motivated—because this is a noble mission, perfectly aligned with Yogyakarta’s slogan: Hamemayu Hayuning Bawono—to beautify this already beautiful Earth,” Atmodjo said in closing.
