Ecological Awareness in Faith-Based Academic Institutions: Theological Perspective on Laudato Si’

Abstract

The ecological crisis has emerged as a global threat in the 21st century, affecting not only the environment and ecosystem but also humanity's moral and spiritual well-being. In line with the biblical mandate for humanity to cultivate and care for creation, Pope Francis, in his Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, meaning ‘Praise be to you,’ echoes the same call for an integral ecology and urges all peoples to be stewards of creation. While various stakeholders worldwide are responding to the call for environmental responsibility in diverse ways, many faith-based academic institutions are yet to integrate ecological awareness into their educational and overall institutional strategies. Using qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews and the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study aims to explore how faith-based academic institutions interpret, promote, and implement the teachings in Laudato Si’, the extent to which they are committed to ecological stewardship, the extent to which these institutions foster ecological awareness, the integration of ecological themes in curricula, extracurricular activities, and institutional policies, and the theological motivations driving ecological awareness, and the challenges faced. The study will use a purposive sampling technique focusing on three East African countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The collected data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how Laudato Si’ informs ecological education and the nurturing of faith-based environmental stewardship.