Laudato sì programme challenged me to rethink my lifestyle

Isaac Atchikiti, 26, comes from Togo. He attended the course and recently shared his experience with Vatican News’ English Africa Service.

English Africa Service - Vatican City

The Certificate in Compassion and Social Communication is a programme developed by the Xavier University of Bhubaneshwar, India, in close collaboration with SIGNIS – the World Catholic Association for Communication. The programme launched in January, this year, with nine young communicators from Argentina, Cuba, Philippines, India, Mexico and Togo.

Asked about Unfold Nest and his experience during the three months stay in India, Isaac said the experience was a profoundly challenging journey.

I wanted to rethink my lifestyle and faith.

“The starting point of my journey, I think, was the willingness I had – a yearning. I wanted to learn something new and to rethink many things I have taken for granted in my lifestyle and faith. I was looking for an engaging experience that would allow me to break my boundaries. When I came across this programme, I realised this is what I was looking for,” Isaac said.

A life-changing experience

He continued, “The fellowship allowed me to explore local and global socio-ecological issues. Thanks to the interdisciplinary and inter-faith nature of the programme, study, daily reflection, and fellowship with colleagues, I feel that I have matured into new knowledge and wisdom. The Fellowship allowed me to go deep into the meaning of compassion. I am now more mindful about the cry of the poor and that of the Earth. I must emphasise that during the Fellowship programme, we had constant engagement with the encyclical of Pope Francis, Laudato sì, It is an enlightening document," narrated Isaac.

Isaac said he found the sessions on Laudato sì, life changing. This is because “I was made more conscious of the critical challenges faced by Mother Earth. I could not have reached this level of ecological awareness I have today without this great learning journey."

And Unfold Nest?

According to Isaac, Unfold Nest is, first, an interactive, multi-narrative and transmedia flipbook. The experience of interacting with this flipbook offers an immersive experience to the person engaging with it. The person should come away with a desire for conservation and protection of our “common home" - the earth.

SIGNIS

SIGNIS is the World Catholic Association for Communication. It brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals.

Laudato si, the second encyclical of Pope Francis was published on 24 May 2015. This year marks its fifth anniversary.