Lisbon Campus Agenda
From November 24th to 28th, Universidade Católica Portuguesa is promoting the 1st Edition of Sustainability Week, an initiative that aims to raise awareness among the academic community of the 4 campuses about the environmental and social challenges of our time. On this page, you can check the agenda for the Lisbon campus.
November 24th | November 25th | November 26th | November 27th | November 28th
General activities that will take place throughout this week
Católica Bookstore
During the Sustainability Week, the Católica Bookstore will have a display of books on the topic, carefully selected and with discounts of up to 30%.
Católica Publishing House
Católica Publishing House will participate in Sustainability Week by promoting João Wengorovius Meneses' book, “O desafio da sustentabilidade. Manual prático para empresas” which will be on sale on the publisher's website at a 20% discount during that week.
Electronic Waste Collection Campaign – Together for Sustainability!
Universidade Católica Portuguesa in partnership with Eletrão, is launching a new Electronic Waste Collection Campaign, challenging the entire academic community to give new life to their unused equipment. The kilograms of electronic waste collected will be converted into financial support for an organisation with social and environmental impact.
Duration: During Sustainability Week... and for another 3 months.
Location: Collection bins available in all campus buildings.
Televisions installed in the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics building will broadcast content to raise awareness about sustainability.
Conscious Consumption, Respect the Environment
Eurest is once again promoting the reduction of food waste and supporting charitable institutions. The concept is simple: by returning their tray without leftovers, consumers contribute to food donations (10g per meal) and waste reduction. This campaign combines environmental, social and nutritional responsibility, and has already enabled the donation of over 4 tonnes of food and received national recognition, including the Green Project Awards. Find out more at all campus bars and canteens.
During the week, Eurest will have the following offers:
- 24 November: All bars will offer flavoured water at no cost to consumers.
- 25 November: The canteen will serve a dessert made from waste, with due emphasis.
- 26, 27 and 28 November: Every day there will be a different main course and dessert, with a focus on how to avoid food waste.
The Syllabus of Change
Every day, a phrase, an idea, or a suggestion for behavior will be shared. These phrases, which will be shared through various channels at the university using different media (email, screens in the hallways, social media, some posters), are a communication strategy that we believe works well at the university due to its ability to link sustainability to topics familiar to students and the rest of the academic community. The messages use puns and direct references to the university world (theses, degrees, deadline extensions, grades). Examples: "Lights don't need a degree to know when to turn off. Be smarter.“ | ”Your coffee cup won't write your thesis. Reuse it." This approach respects the seriousness of the topic, while making it more relatable and engaging. By playing with intelligence and efficiency, it directly appeals to students' sense of intellectual responsibility. On the other hand, the phrases link sustainability to personal excellence and the discipline that the university values. Example: “Don't waste food — knowledge isn't the only thing that nourishes.” | “Take the stairs. Move your body, not just your brain.” This type of communication frames ecological actions not as “a burden,” but as part of an ethical and responsible lifestyle. Furthermore, the messages address small, frequent actions (using the trash can, turning off the tap, using the stairs, using the ashtray) that are easily integrated into campus routine, making the concept of sustainability tangible and immediate.
Location: A1 Atrium | Faculty of Human Sciences Building | FCH-Católica Social Media
Todos os Passos Contam: Está nos vossos pés
The Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics has joined the national movement Todos os Passos Contam (Every Step Counts), promoted by the Galp Foundation, challenging the entire academic community—students, teachers, and staff—to transform physical activity into real social impact. During the First Sustainability Week and until December 10, every kilometer you walk, run, cycle, dance, or perform in any physical activity will be converted into a meal donated to the Food Emergency Network. The national goal is clear: to reach 1 million kilometers and guarantee 1 million meals for those most in need.
Since 2021, this initiative has delivered 4.2 million meals to vulnerable families, with the support of multiple institutional and media partners. This year, we want to know: how many meals can CATÓLICA-LISBON help deliver? The answer depends on your steps.
Very important: For your kilometers to contribute to the total for Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, choose “Team participation” and write CATÓLICA-LISBON in the Team name field.
Ready to walk for the common good?
Sustainability Week is the ideal time to mobilize energy, community, and purpose. Every kilometer counts—and so does every meal. Participate and share the link: todosospassoscontam.galp.com
9:20 a.m.: Opening of Sustainability Week
The opening session at the Lisbon Campus will be attended by Isabel Capeloa Gil, President of Católica. The entire academic community is invited to enjoy sustainable coffee, in a special partnership with Delta Cafés, a company recognized for its ongoing commitment to sustainability. Organic coffee will be served throughout the morning at the entrance to Floor 1. The presence of students, faculty, and staff is very important for the celebration of this week dedicated to environmental and social responsibility and the sustainable future of our university.
Location: Floor 1 | Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
12:30 p.m.: Lecture by Refood from Rio de Mouro
During lunch, there will be a lecture by Refood de Rio de Mouro, with coordinator Daniela Fortuna in attendance.
Location: Lectuce Room 1 | Católica Medical School (Sintra)
Note: During this same period, there will also be a Refood stand at the entrance to the college, where students can sign up as volunteers and learn more about the work carried out by this association.
2:00 p.m.: Debate “Urban mobility and sustainability: from home to university”
Raise awareness among students about issues related to urban mobility and sustainability and the design of public policies and civil society activities as contributions to solving problems and challenges in the public space. Based on the daily experiences of students at the Institute of Political Studies, the proposal aims to promote a structured debate on urban mobility and sustainability. The debate should produce conclusions that leverage the development of student group work with the aim of proposing public policies and civil society activities that facilitate urban mobility while promoting environmental sustainability.
Target audience: Alumni or students of the courses: “Politics of Sustainability,” “Climate Change, Security, and Governance,” and “Ocean Governance and Strategic Management” from the Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and International Relations.
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Behind the Music: Building Sustainable Festivals
Join a hands-on workshop with Dora Palma, senior expert in sustainability for music events such as Rock in Rio and MEO Kalorama. Participants will be invited to tackle a real sustainability challenge related to music festivals, exploring creative solutions to make large-scale cultural events more sustainable. This interactive session blends innovation, collaboration, and the energy of live music experiences.
Location: Room 512 | Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
Capacity: 42 participants (SOLD OUT)
12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Sustainability Talks: Impactful Driven Careers
Join a panel of sustainability experts who will share insights and personal stories for those looking to build a career in this field. With a practical focus, this session highlights career paths, skills, and opportunities, while creating space for meaningful connections and networking. This session will be attended by:
- José Almeida, Sustainability and SHEQ Director at Mota-Engil
- Beatriz Guimarães, Sustainability Leader at Nestlé
Language: English
Location: Room 511 | Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Hope and Sustainability in Comprehensive Care
This workshop is intended for all students at the Lisbon campus of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Taking a reflective approach, it will examine the theoretical and practical aspects of hope as a fundamental element of comprehensive care. This activity represents an opportunity for students' personal and professional growth, and will be conducted in an interactive manner, including moments of awareness, sustainable collaborative practices, and the sharing of success stories. It will be divided into three main parts:
- Awareness (introduction to the theme of hope as an emotional resource).
- Practical activities (discussion of how hope can be used as a tool to overcome obstacles and generate opportunities).
- Joint reflection (planning the space in academia for a training program focused on hope and comprehensive care).
6:00 p.m.: Launch of the Longevity Center
This pioneering initiative aims to help leaders and organizations thrive in an era of longevity through research, education and societal impact. Join us in shaping a future where longevity becomes a source of strength and innovation for businesses and society.
Location: Auditorium 511 | 1st floor of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: SDG Meetings
The SDG Meetings 2025, promoted by the SDG Observatory in Portuguese Companies (CATÓLICA-LISBON), invites companies, consultants, academics, and decision-makers to reflect on the role of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the future of corporate sustainability, in line with the new requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
Language: Portuguese
Location: EY Room | 3rd floor of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Public session to launch the Electronic Waste Collection Campaign (small equipment) in partnership with ELECTRÃO - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE GESTÃO DE RESÍDUOS (Waste Management Association)
11:30 a.m.: Round Table: 100% LOVE, 0% violence, with Professor Susana Costa Ramalho and students
In the area of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, this activity aims to promote healthy dating relationships, particularly among campus students. It is known that the numbers related to dating violence have been increasing, which should concern us. This activity aims to enhance the well-being and health of students, aligning with the caring environment we seek to foster at the Catholic University and raising awareness of a socially relevant issue.
Location: Auditorium 1 | Faculty of Human Sciences Building
11:40 a.m. Inauguration of the T4EU Garden
A new green space with native plants on the Lisbon campus.
12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Sustainability Talks: Insights from Industry Leaders
In this session, sustainability directors and CEOs will discuss how they are embedding sustainability at the core of their business strategies. Participants will gain first-hand perspectives from leaders shaping the future of their industries through sustainable practices. This session will be attended by:
- Paula Guimarães, Sustainability Director at The Navigator Company
- Mariana Ribeiro Ferreira, Sustainability Director at CUF
Language: English
Location: Room 511 | Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Local Impact, Global Future: CESOP-Local Network for Sustainable Territories — Municipalities, Academia and Communities in Action
On the decisive role of academia, municipalities and communities in achieving the SDGs: training leaders prepared for the challenges of sustainability and accelerating the transformation of territories and organisations through cooperation and monitoring tools. The partnership between the Portuguese Catholic University and the Municipalities
- The role of academia in the 2030 Agenda
- Transformative practices and projects in territories and organisations
- Participatory governance
The implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires knowledge, training and commitment from everyone. From local to global impact, we need action. The seminar "Local Impact, Global Future: CESOP-Local Network for Sustainable Territories — Municipalities, Academia and Communities in Action", promoted by CESOP-Local, the Municipal Observatory of the Portuguese Catholic University, invites local leaders, the community and academics to reflect on the importance of progressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for the future of sustainability in territories and organisations. In this session, experts from the Portuguese Catholic University and guests will discuss how municipalities can integrate sustainability into the core of public policy-making and their strategies for participatory governance.
Language: Portuguese
Location: Online
3:30 p.m.: Round Table: Psychology and Environmental Sustainability, with Professor Augusta Gaspar and students
Location: Room 241 | Faculty of Humanities Building
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: “Generation Ocean: Law, Leadership & Youth Action for a Sustainable Future”
A dynamic and interdisciplinary conversation, organized by Blue Wave Clube, bringing together legal, civic, and environmental perspectives on marine protection and sustainability. The panel explores how law, youth engagement, environmental advocacy, and institutional leadership can work together to advance ocean conservation and drive meaningful ESG action. This session will be attended by:
- Maria Pena Ermida – Researcher & Policy Advisor of the Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law
- Mafalda Sarmento – Sustainability Officer & Social Innovation Consultant of the CRLB / Positive Benefits/FAM Foundation
- Rita Sá – Environmental & Ecosystem Protection Organization of the WWF Portugal
- Leila Teixeira – Ocean Advocate of the Surfrider Foundation Portugal
Language: English
Location: EY Room | 3rd floor of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building
9:00 a.m.: COP30 Brunch
An initiative promoted by the Centre for Research in Theology and Religious Studies and Católica Sustainability, as part of the 1st Edition of Católica Sustainability Week. It will feature Fr. Vinícius Ferreira da Paixão, SJ, from the Laudato Si' Research Institute (LRSI), associated with the University of Oxford, who will present an in-depth reflection on the COP30 debates and their developments, bringing the experience of his participation in the Blue Zone as a representative of the LRSI. This meeting aims to strengthen networking between Portuguese-speaking institutions and initiatives committed to the 2030 Agenda and ecological conversion, as well as to consolidate the partners involved in the creation of the Cluster Cuidar da Casa Comum (Caring for our Common Home), dedicated to research in integral ecology. The brunch aims to bring together at Católica the various civil society organisations that have been working on the themes of integral ecology and sustainability, such as the Cuidar da Casa Comum Network, the Cuidar da Casa Comum group in Santa Isabel, the Casa Velha Association - Ecology and Spirituality, and researchers from the Doctoral Programmes in Integral Ecology and the Post-Doctoral Programme in Integral Human Development.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.: “From Education to Sustainability: Partnerships that Generate Impact”
Sustainable transition requires knowledge, training, commitment, and collaboration. It is in this spirit that the Center for Sustainable Finance at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics and Fundação Santander Portugal are joining forces for a conversation about the decisive role of academia and business in building a greener and fairer economy.
In this interview, Inês Rocha Gouveia, President of the Foundation, will share the vision for the future that unites the two institutions: to train leaders prepared for the challenges of sustainability and accelerate the transformation of organizations through education, innovation, and real impact.
Language: English
Location: Atrium of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building (1st Floor)
3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: EoF International - Round Table | Regenerating the Economy: Back to the Future
This session brings together voices to reimagine an economic system that stays within planetary boundaries and prioritizes regeneration, justice, and the common good, moving beyond growth and extraction. This session will be attended by:
- Stefano Zamagni – Economist and pioneer of the civil economy; provides a broader systemic vision of alternative economic models
- Jeffrey Sachs – Economist and global sustainability leader; speaks on ecological transition and the SDGs
- Gaël Giraud – Economist and professor known for his work on ecological transition, climate finance, and social justice
- Cristina Calvo – Professor, specializing in economic sociology, governance, and human rights
- Margarida Casau – PhD researcher in Business and Economics at the University of Aveiro, focusing on the Economics of Happiness
- Tony Guidotti – Senior Researcher at Harvard Business School’s Ownership Project and research fellow with the Economy of Francesco, examining ownership structures and societal impact
- Maria Nathalia Ramirez Chaparro – PhD candidate in Public Policy and Governance at UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, researching poverty through a multidisciplinary lens
- Serena Ionta – Postdoctoral researcher at Bocconi University’s Baffi Center, specializing in Macroeconomics, Macro-Finance, and Time Series Analysis
Language: English
Location: EY Room | 3rd floor of the Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics Building | EoF International online broadcast.
Sustainability Week Partners
