The Letter, a film that tells the story of the Encyclical Laudato si' collects testimonies from various climate activists and has Pope Francis himself as the main star.

In the words of the Vice-Rector, Pe. José Manuel Pereira de Almeida: "The Universidade Católica Portuguesa joins in this way the Laudato si' Movement at the conclusion of the ecumenical initiative of the "Time of Creation" (which ran from September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi) with the release of the film The Letter. I hope you enjoy it! And may it be a beautiful occasion of dialogue for all".

The screening will be broadcast on the youtube channel today at 7.30pm

Link to the film's broadcast here.

Universidade Católica Portuguesa has a new volunteering programme. The VIDA project is aimed at students of all levels at the Católica's headquarters campus who want to volunteer. More than 360 students have already signed up since the beginning of the academic year.

The project, which aims to provide students with volunteering opportunities that contribute to the community, has been officially launched for the 2022/2023 academic year and applications are still open.

The volunteering opportunities on offer are as varied as the partner institutions, ranging from study support to fundraising, litter picking and meal distribution. Ajuda de Mãe, the Jesuit Refugee Service and Comunidade Vida e Paz are some of the associations involved in the project.

The VIDA project, organised in partnership between the Social Responsibility Office (GRS) and the Católica Chaplaincy, provides for the complete accompaniment of the volunteers, from their registration to their training and integration in the different institutions.

"Católica sees volunteering as a formative process that adds value to the community," explains Rita Paiva e Pona, coordinator of Católica's Social Responsibility Office. She also mentions that the university is "committed to adding value to organisations and initiatives of recognised social interest, whose vision is in line with Católica's mission: to promote the integral formation of the person, oriented towards global reality, based on the principles of truth and respect for people and the environment."

For more information about the VIDA Project, contact: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt.

Registrations here

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa once again joins GivingTuesday, a global solidarity movement that appeals to the world to unite in support of social causes.

Celebrated intentionally on the first Tuesday after Black Friday and fuelled by the power of social media and collaboration, GivingTuesday inspires millions of people around the world to give back to causes that are relevant to each one.

The goal is to create a wave of generosity that lasts beyond GivingTuesday and reaches every person on the planet under the motto "give to change".

Launched in 2012 in the United States of America, this movement was co-founded by the United Nations and 92StreetY. Today it is an autonomous organization, with the leadership support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

This year, the Universidade Católica invites the academic community to support the projects of the partner organizations of the VIDA Project - Volunteering at Católica. Get to know each one of the projects and learn how you can collaborate:

ABLA – Associação de Beneficência Luso-Alemã

Ajuda de Mãe

Aldeias de Crianças SOS

Apoio à Vida

ARIA

Cáritas Portuguesa

ENTRAJUDA

Fundação AJU

Fundação Rui Osório de Castro

Instituto de Apoio à Criança

Irmãs Hospitaleiras – Clínica Psiquiátrica de S. José

JRS – Serviço Jesuíta aos Refugiados

Operação Nariz Vermelho

Semear | BIPP

Serve the City

União Zoófila

#TogetherWeChangeTheWorld

The HeForShe UCP Lisbon has organised an exhibition to mark International Women's Day, with a historical perspective of this day, the history of feminism and the current panorama.

The exhibition is aimed at the entire academic community and will take place between March 8 and 10, in the building of the Law Faculty, in the atrium of Auditorium 1.

Volunteers from VIDA Project - Volunteering at Católica - will take part in the Apoio à Vida Baby Products Collection Campaign on February 2nd at the Auchan supermarket in Cascais.

This is a campaign to collect essential items for the babies of the mothers supported by this organisation. Apoio à Vida supports pregnant women in situations of difficulty at all levels (psychological, social, training and integration into the labour market). It also develops occasional campaigns to collect goods such as diapers, milk, saline solution, wipes, and baby food, among others.

The VIDA Project is aimed at students of all levels of education at the Universidade Católica Headquarters campus who wish to do voluntary work. Organized in partnership between the Social Responsibility Office (GRS) and the CatólicaChaplaincy, the VIDA Project provides for the full monitoring of volunteers, from their registration to their training and integration in the different institutions.

To find out more about volunteering at Católica, contact: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt.

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa is once again associated with the Banco Alimentar Collection Campaign. On May 6 and 7, volunteers will be at the Colombo Shopping Centre's Continente Hypermarket collecting food to support needy Portuguese families.

This campaign is intended to: raise basic foods for which there are no surpluses (such as milk, rice, pasta, olive oil, oil, grain and beans, tuna, sausages, biscuits and breakfast cereals); to encourage sharing with people who do not have food at their table; to sensitize the community to the food shortages that affect many families.

To register as a volunteer, simply fill out this form *, indicating your availability.

*The form was created by the campaign organization and is in Portuguese only. The mandatory fields are: email, volunteer's name, name of the University, degree/year, mobile phone contact and availability.

Important note: By submitting the registration you are automatically validated for the chosen shift, so you must be at the location on the selected day/time. A proof of registration will be sent to the email indicated in the form.

Universidade Católica and Rodrigo Guimarães Institute launched the Rodrigo Guimarães Scholarships programme aimed at supporting students who have special characteristics of initiative, motivation, commitment, and simultaneously economically disadvantaged, thus investing in the training and capitalization of young talent.

Rodrigo Guimarães Scholarships are aimed at Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics or Management students at the Católica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics, who demonstrate economic need and have the skills and commitment to make a difference as professionals and citizens of a global community.

Rodrigo Guimarães Institute was established in 2022 by the family of the late Rodrigo Guimarães and his longtime friend, Elizabeth Rothfield.  This scholarship program is part of the Institute's purpose to promote and stimulate educational and social measures and actions.

Rodrigo Guimarães was a successful entrepreneur, with a very keen sense of justice, and believed that opportunities should be created for those with more financial difficulties. He considered it essential for students to open their horizons by stepping out of their comfort zone and making a difference.  Rodrigo Guimarães Institute wants to perpetuate his name and work, and aims to provide open horizons to students who need the most and have the determination of wanting to go further.

The program started in 2022/2023, and the scholarship was awarded to an undergraduate student in Management. 

The application deadline for 2023/2024 will be announced soon by the Social Responsibility Office.

Applications are now open for the VIDA Project - Volunteering at Católica 2023/2024, aimed at the entire UCP community on the Sede campus who want to volunteer on a regular or one-off basis. 

The 2023/2024 edition already has 15 confirmed partner organisations: Apoio à Vida, Associação Santa Teresa, Comunidade Vida e Paz, CASA - Centro de Apoio aos Sem-Abrigo, Serve The City, Pedalar sem Idade, Clínica Psiquiátrica de S. José, Movimento Claro, União Zoófila, among others.

The volunteering activities available are as diverse as the partner institutions - study support, food support, support for people with reduced mobility, driving trishaws (adapted bicycles), taking part in fundraising campaigns, socialising with dogs and cats, activities related to the circular economy or skills volunteering.

Organised in partnership between the Social Responsibility Office (GRS) and the UCP Chaplaincy, the VIDA Project is a commitment to building a more supportive and inclusive world and provides comprehensive support for volunteers, from registration to training and integration into the different institutions.

For more information on the VIDA Project, contact: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa is again associated with the Banco Alimentar Collection Campaign. On December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, volunteers will be at the Colombo Shopping Centre's Continente Hypermarket collecting food to support needy Portuguese families.

This campaign is intended to collect essential foods for which there are no surpluses (such as milk, rice, pasta, olive oil, oil, grains and beans, tuna, sausages, biscuits and breakfast cereals); to encourage sharing with people who do not have food at their table, and to raise awareness in the community regarding food shortages that affect many families.

To register as a volunteer, fill out this form, by November 29th, with your availability.

Important note: By submitting the registration you are automatically validated for the chosen shift, so you must be at the location on the selected day/time. Proof of registration will be sent to the e-mail indicated in the form.

More information: voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt

Universidade Católica Portuguesa, through its Social Responsibility Office, in collaboration with HeforShe, is promoting a food collection campaign to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty celebrated on October 17. The campaign aims to help the Padre Alves Correia Centre (CEPAC) and its "Mercearia Sabura" project, which supports immigrants and their families in situations of vulnerability and economic and social need.

The food collection campaign is an opportunity for the academic community and the general public to unite in a gesture of solidarity that will have a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most. 

Among the most needed food items are chickpeas, beans, sausages, tuna, olive oil, oil, and milk, as well as hygiene products and feminine hygiene products. These items are essential to ensure adequate nutrition and the well-being of the families supported by the project.

The food collection campaign runs from October 2 until October 17. The collection points are located at the UCP headquarters in Lisbon:

Point 1 - Social Responsibility Office - Building 4

Point 2 - Atrium of Auditorium 1 -Building 1

For more information about this campaign or how to contribute, please contact: grs.sede@ucp.pt.

Universidade Católica Portuguesa reaffirmed its commitment to the Banco Alimentar contra a Fome (Food Bank Against Hunger) with the participation of around 100 volunteers from UCP in the Collection Campaign on 1, 2 and 3 December at the Continente Hypermarket in the Colombo Shopping Centre, in Lisbon.

For Rita Paiva e Pona, Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Office at UCP, responsible for the coordinated participation of the University, "the significant participation of UCP volunteers in this cause shows the sense of commitment and mission of our community."

This campaign aimed to collect food to support Portuguese families in situations of social vulnerability, totalling more than 2,292 tonnes of food nationwide.
 

On 27th March, the Social Responsibility Office of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) and CASA - Homeless Support Centre joined forces to promote the personal development of women in vulnerable situations.

The Personal Development Workshop for Women Supported by CASA - Homeless Support Centre, led by Rita Paiva e Pona, UCP Rector's Advisor for Social Responsibility and Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Office, focused mainly on women in the active job search phase. Six women supported by CASA took part in the workshop, which provided a safe and cosy space to explore personal development strategies and discuss effective job search methods.

Highlighting the dedication and availability of the organisers, Francisco Rebolho, a psychologist at CASA, emphasises the importance of the initiative: "(...) what is certain is that after the training, people leave it happy and wanting to do more. It's a time when they can invest in themselves and think about the future in a different light, and your help has been fundamental in this process."

Rita Paiva e Pona also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to organise the session, describing it as a rewarding and enriching experience. "I learnt about very different life paths, their dreams and shared some strategies aimed at effective job-seeking, in a very welcoming and participatory atmosphere. It was undoubtedly a concrete opportunity to put the University at the service of the community and those around us."

This event, which is part of the cycle of workshops at CASA - the Homeless Support Centre, highlights the Universidade Católica commitment to social responsibility and the transformative power of personal development and education in promoting well-being and social inclusion.

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Between 25th and 27th March, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), in collaboration with the TASSE Project of the Santa Rafaela Maria Foundation, organised a Logic and Playful Programming Course for children between the ages of 10 and 12.

This initiative, which was supported by Happy Code, aimed to give children a fun and educational introduction to the world of technology and programming. "I enjoyed the Happy Code Bootcamp because I made new friends and learnt new things!" says Óscar Santos, an 11-year-old participant.

The 12-hour course was led by Rosário Lucas and Cristina Neto de Carvalho, professors at UCP, with the support of eight students from CATÓLICA-LISBON, in partnership with UCP's Social Responsibility Office.

During the four sessions, fundamental topics such as Technological Education, Digital Citizenship and Cybersecurity were covered, and participants were able to create simple games and mobile phone applications, encouraging them to take an interest in these technological areas and become digital citizens.

A project only possible due to the dedication of the teachers and volunteers involved in the project. "(...) it is truly inspiring and in it we see the reflection of commitment to a greater cause. Their generosity and commitment show that sharing knowledge is a powerful tool for change and that education gives rise to hope for a better world!" reflects Rita Paiva e Pona, Advisor to the Rector and Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Office.

Teresa Ramos, from the TASSE-E9g Project, shared the importance of this course for young people: "We believe that the more familiar they are with this language, the greater their chances of integrating into the increasingly technological world of work.". The association's representative also emphasised the interaction between the UCP students and the children from the TASSE Project, demonstrating how the initiative has created bonds between the communities.

The development of this activity, in the TASSE Project space at Quinta da Fonte da Prata, aims to reinforce the scope of UCP's mission in the community, in the context of its social responsibility and its active role in promoting education and digital inclusion. "Through this initiative, we not only provide opportunities, but also create bonds that unite communities", emphasises Rita Paiva e Pona.

It should be noted that this is the first year that the workshops have taken place in person and in partnership with Happy Code, run by UCP alumnus Pedro Teixeira, in a very close environment. Rita Paiva e Pona recalled that "the digital literacy workshops have been taking place in the TASSE Project since 2021, when the Portuguese Catholic University joined this consortium, in partnership with the Santa Rafaela Maria Foundation, with the first two editions taking place online, with volunteers from CATÓLICA-LISBON".

UCP, with the support of partners such as Happy Code - a technology and programming school, and the dedicated commitment of its teachers and students, continues to make a difference to children's lives.

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On 15 and 29 April, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) organised two Basic Life Support workshops, which concluded a cycle of four workshops at CASA - Centro de Apoio ao Sem-Abrigo (Homeless Support Centre).

12 members of staff and people supported by CASA took part in the training sessions coordinated by António Borges, a professor at UCP.  Workshops which, for Carlota Silva, the association's technical director, "are extremely important for the concrete objective of helping people to live, but also equally important for interpersonal relationships with work colleagues and between users". 

Carlota Silva also emphasises the importance of these workshops having not only a theoretical component, but also a practical one, considering that "(...) it makes it easier for everyone involved to understand and participate".

The Basic Life Support sessions, organised by the Católica Social Responsibility Office, were held in partnership with Capacitar para Salvar, a University Extension project run by the Católica Nursing Centre (Lisbon), of the Nursing School.

A training initiative that is not limited to CASA. Two more Basic Life Support workshops are planned in partnership with the Capacitar para Salvar project, aimed at technicians and volunteers from the VIDA Project's partner organisations, to be held at UCP on 14 May and 28 June.

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The Universidade Católica Portuguesa will once again open its doors to the Portuguese Blood and Transplant Institute (IPST) for a blood collection at its headquarters in Lisbon.

This solidarity action, which aims to strengthen national blood banks, will take place on 14 November at the School of Nursing, Building 2, Laboratory 1, between 9am and 1pm, and from 3pm to 7pm, and participation is open to the entire academic community and the general public.

The importance of this initiative is underlined by António de Almeida, Haematologist and Director of the Faculty of Medicine at Católica, who warns of the "alarming reality" of the shortage of blood in hospitals, directly affecting "thousands of people who depend on transfusions to survive", including accident victims, mothers who suffer haemorrhages during childbirth and cancer patients who need chemotherapy.

"We can all contribute to helping these patients: by donating blood", says the lecturer, emphasising that blood donation is a “simple, safe and deeply supportive gesture, capable of saving up to three lives at a time”.

As well as being an act of individual generosity, blood donation represents a social commitment. "That's why we're calling on the academic community in particular to join this cause. As students, teachers and staff at UCP, we have an enormous social responsibility and a unique ability to have an important impact", emphasises António de Almeida.

The appeal is clear: "mobilise yourselves, take part in this blood donation campaign and encourage your colleagues, teachers and friends to do the same", he stresses.

The Vice-Rector of the Universidade Católica, José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, also emphasises the profound value of this act of solidarity, pointing out that: "Life is a gift and is called to make itself a gift for the life of others. Giving blood is sharing life".

With this action, the Universidade Católica reaffirms its commitment to promoting initiatives of citizenship and social impact. Come and make a difference - donate blood, donate life!

Transforming Higher Education from Within was the central theme of the V Uniservitate Symposium, which took place on 7 and 8 November at LUMSA in Rome. The event brought together Catholic universities from five continents to take stock of the first five years of this network's activities and reflect on the transformative impact of Service-Learning on universities, students and communities.

The winners of the Uniservitate Award were honoured at the meeting, including the Ser Cuida(i)doso project by Universidade Católica Portuguesa, led by Catarina Vieira da Silva, professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences (FFCS). Tatiana Ferreira, who is currently studying for a master's degree in gerontology, also took part in the symposium , sharing her learning from this project, which won the award in the Southern Europe region.

During the event, the group of participants had a private audience with Pope Francis, who emphasised that ‘Education is not a process that ends when we leave the classroom or the library; it continues throughout life.’

"Education is done with the mind, the heart and the hands. We must learn to think what we feel and do, to feel what we do and think, to do what we feel and think," said the Pope, stressing the importance of educational programmes that put students in direct contact with the realities around them so that, “starting from experience, they learn to change the world, not for their own benefit, but in a spirit of service.”

At this audience, which was also attended by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Pope Francis emphasised that educating is a challenge that ‘is not easy, but it is certainly exciting! Educating is an adventure, a great adventure’.

During the plenary sessions, which brought together around 200 participants, possible ways of institutionalising Service-Learning in Catholic higher education institutions were also presented and the theme of the spirituality of service was explored in depth.

Over the course of the two days, research projects were presented that have contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Education Pact, and which are the result of research grants awarded to supported universities, as is the case with Católica, presenting a paper dedicated to the impact that ApS projects have on students.

Representing Universidade Católica were also Isabel Vasconcelos, Vice-Rector , Rita Paiva e Pona, Rector ‘s Advisor for Social Responsibility, Carmo Themudo, Coordinator of the Unit for the Integral Development of the Person at the Porto Campus, Luísa Maria Ribeiro, professor at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, Paulo Dias, professor at the FFCS and Sofia Câmara, Service-Learning Consultant.

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The Universidade Católica Portuguesa was once again distinguished with the Academia Voluntária 2024 Quality Seal, awarded by CASES - Cooperativa António Sérgio para a Economia Social, on 5 December in Cascais.

This distinction recognises Católica's exceptional work in promoting the practice of volunteering, in line with the objectives of solidarity and active citizenship within higher education in Portugal.

The Academia Voluntária Quality Label aims to highlight higher education institutions that actively promote volunteering activities, increasing the number of volunteers and ensuring the continuity of these practices. As well as recognising the institutions' efforts, this seal also acts as a monitoring and qualification tool, guaranteeing compliance with strict criteria and the existence of validated results.

Among the 16 institutions honoured, the Universidade Católica stood out by receiving the Distinction of Merit, awarded to only 3 institutions. This recognition highlights the work carried out by the teams at Católica that promote volunteering initiatives: CASO - CAtólica SOlidária, Ready to Help, Voluntaria*Te and VIDA - Voluntariado na Católica.

Initiatives that promote not only volunteering, but also civic and solidarity training for their students, while developing important skills. This is the case of Alyse Kaweng Fan, a Master's student in Cultural Studies and VIDA volunteer, who believes that "there is greater joy in giving than in receiving". While volunteering with Projeto Vida, she made friends, but also developed "communication skills and self-confidence".

Also for Maria Leonor dos Santos Esteves, a Management undergraduate student at the Viseu Campus, the experience of volunteering at Ready to Help was "transformative". Maria believes that "this recognition is a reflection of everyone's efforts - students, teachers and partners - and reinforces our commitment to the values of social responsibility and teamwork".

For Margarida Rodrigues Quintas, a student studying Psychology at the Universidade Católica, Braga campus, and a Volunteer at Voluntaria*Te, volunteering is much more than an extracurricular activity "(...) it's the choice to dedicate time and energy in favour of others, without expecting anything in return".

"Deeply enriching", is how Ana Beatriz Sá-Chaves e Costa, a Master's student in Educational Psychology and Human Development at the Porto Campus describes her participation as a volunteer with CASO - Católica Solidária. "I recognise that volunteering has had and continues to have a profound impact on my life, not only because of the chance to contribute to the community, but also because of the personal growth and knowledge of the world it gives me".

With this honour, the Universidade Católica reinforces its role as an agent of change in society, committed to cultivating the value of solidarity and inspiring new generations to actively contribute to a fairer and more inclusive future.

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The Lisbon Project's mission is to "build a community that integrates and empowers migrants and refugees", and the partnership with the João Paulo II University Library (BUJPII) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa aims to support the organisation in the area of education, through the organisation of the library and digital resources, as well as in the training of its volunteers.

On 17 December, the BUJPII team, represented by Deputy Director Ana Folque and Samuel Santos, visited the Lisbon Project premises to continue this collaboration. 

During the visit, it was possible to get a closer look at the work carried out by the organisation and interact with its team, in a productive working session where several joint initiatives were defined for the future. Among the topics discussed, particular attention was given to organising a visit to BUJPII by members of the Lisbon Project community, aimed at promoting reading, and planning a public reading activity for children.

At the same time, the library team at the Universidade Católica headquarters shared their technical know-how, particularly in indexing and organising books.

"The collaboration with the Universidade Católica Portuguesa Library has been very enriching for our Learning Centre. The support with the library's organisation system has been essential for improving access to our resources", comments Ana Rita Bruno, a member of the Lisbon Project team. 

"In addition, joint initiatives such as events and workshops will certainly contribute to the educational and cultural development of our community. We thank the Library team for their dedication and enthusiasm and we are confident of the positive impact of this partnership", she adds, valuing the partnership.

This partnership reflects the ongoing commitment of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa to fostering positive impact in communities through knowledge and solidarity.

In the 1st edition of The Newman Benchmark Framework on Social Responsibility, of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), UCP was distinguished with 4 labels, among which it received 2 labels with the maximum rating (3 stars) in the areas of governance and social practices.

This tool assesses, transversely, the universities' forms of governance, their approaches to ensuring respect for the environment, their practices as employers, how the three mission axes are implemented, and the overall coherence of their identities as Catholic Universities.

The dimension of University Social Responsibility has been structured, nationally, through a process of mapping and identification of the various initiatives and projects that are developed on the 4 campi, representing a healthy diversity at UCP.

The project Empower to Protect of the Nursing School, in Lisbon, of the Institute of Health Sciences received an honorable mention, reinforcing UCP's commitment to the Learning-Service methodology (ApS).

The UNISERVITATE Award sought to promote quality Learning-Service practices carried out by Catholic Higher Education Institutions, recognising experiences that represent effective contributions to the solution of socio-environmental problems, identified and addressed in solidarity with organisations and members of the community.

The ApS methodology is part of the pedagogical innovation and social responsibility lines in which UCP has been investing, thus reinforcing its vocation of intervention in society, whether through the professionals it trains or the work it develops in partnership with multiple interlocutors, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Empower to Protect project is part of the CApS project: Catholic University and Learning-Service: Innovation and Social Responsibility, which started in January 2020 involving the 4 campuses of the University. 

About UNISERVITATE:

Uniservitate is a programme that promotes Learning-Service in Catholic Higher Education. It is a Porticus initiative, coordinated by the Latin American Centre for Learning-Service Solidarity (CLAYSS). The programme aims to help Catholic Higher Education Institutions strengthen their identity and mission by forming "head, heart and hands" through institutional projects that integrate academic learning and solidarity activities. UCP was one of the Universities selected for this capacity building programme and belongs to the Western Europe South hub.

A group of volunteers from the VIDA project - Volunteering at Católica - participated in the collection of goods for the Apoio à Vida institution on 13 October.

The collection of basic goods for babies took place in the Auchan Amoreiras supermarket in Lisbon, with the help of six volunteers from the VIDA project. The products collected are intended for the babies of the mothers supported by the institution.

Apoio à Vida is one of the partners of the VIDA project and develops its activities in the area of support for pregnant women in difficulty at all levels (psychological, social, educational and labour market integration).

The VIDA project is aimed at students at all levels of education on the Católica headquarters campus who wish to do voluntary work. The volunteer activities available are as varied as the partner institutions themselves, ranging from study support to fundraising, rubbish collection and meal distribution, among others. Ajuda de Mãe, the Jesuit Refugee Service and Comunidade Vida e Paz are some of the associations involved in this project.

The VIDA project, organised in partnership between the Office of Social Responsibility (GRS) and Católica's Chaplaincy, provides for the complete supervision of the volunteers, from their registration to their training and integration in the different institutions.

For more information, please contact voluntariado.sede@ucp.pt.

Universidade Católica Portuguesa was awarded the Quality Seal of the Voluntary Academy of CASES - António Sérgio Cooperative for the Social Economy for the work developed by CASO - CAtólica SOlidária, in the Porto Regional Centre, with 20 years of experience in the area of university volunteering.

The jury of the initiative, which unanimously approved the application of the University, recognizes that "the practices, dynamics, and instruments created and developed by the UCP in favour of promoting the practice of volunteering are worthy of distinction."

The Quality Seal was awarded in a public ceremony, at Culturgest, on International Volunteer Day, December 5. UCP was represented by Vice-Rector J. M. Pereira de Almeida, the Dean's Advisor for Social Responsibility and Coordinator of the Social Responsibility Office, Rita Paiva e Pona, and the Coordinator of the Unit for the Integral Development of the Person of the Regional Center of Porto, Carmo Themudo.

During the week of March 27 to 3, HeforShe UCP Lisbon will be collecting menstrual hygiene products. The items gathered will be delivered to social solidarity institutions that accompany women in situations of social and economic vulnerability.

To donate these materials, you can go to one of the following student associations: 

• Law Academic Association, in the periods: 9:45 a.m. - 10 a.m.; 11:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; 3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. - 5 p.m;
• Students Association of the Faculty of Human Sciences, during the periods: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 6.30 p.m;
• Students' Association of the Lisbon School of Nursing of the Institute of Health Sciences, on February 28th, between 1pm and 2pm. 

"HeforShe" is a solidarity movement created by UN Women in 2014, with the aim of involving society, encouraging from the youngest to the oldest, in the debate on achieving gender equality. In 2017 it arrived in Portugal having drawn the attention of the United Nations, which proposed to institute the movement. HeForShe emerged at UCP in April 2020.

HeforShe UCP Lisbon counts on everyone's help!

On 19 December, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa delivered more than 300 goods to Ajuda de Berço, Ajuda de Mãe and Apoio à Vida, at its headquarters. A moment that Rita Paiva e Pona, coordinator of the Social Responsibility Office, describes as the "culmination of the Solidarity Christmas campaign."

The national collection took place from 28 November to 15 December and, for Rita, "it was a way for student associations and the entire university community to support these institutions in their missions".

Highlighting a higher turnout than the previous year, she underlines "a growing mobilisation of the university community to support these causes." And for this, they rely on the help of the student associations in "publicising the campaign among the students, in contact with the office", explains Inês Gandarez, a 3rd year Psychology student at the Faculty of Human Sciences and Vice-President of the AEFCH.

With a positive assessment of the collection, Rita Sousa Rego, head of Fundraising and Communication at Apoio à Vida, emphasises the importance of these initiatives in guaranteeing support for the approximately 200 underprivileged families in her care. Rita also mentions the "importance of involving society", as these actions allow us to "show the work that the institutions do in the community and also publicise their needs", adds Madalena Teixeira Duarte, President of the Board of Ajuda de Mãe.

Esta vertente de consciencialização é significativa, pois como Rita Paiva e Pona recorda “não é exclusivamente nesta altura que as instituições precisam de apoio e sim ao longo do ano inteiro, e para contamos isso com os nossos voluntários que ajudam in loco estas instituições”.

With an already long relationship between the Universidade Católica and Ajuda de Mãe, Madalena Teixeira Duarte comments: " we are always greatly helped by the Universidade Católica, particularly in the Volunteering Programme and also at the Christmas Markets, it's always amazing."

This sentiment is shared by Maria Sofia Dias, an educator and Ajuda de Berço's representative in this donation, for whom all help counts, because "if everyone gives a little, it always helps".

In addition to the donation made at the University's headquarters in Lisbon, the goods were also distributed to the Balneário de Alcântara, where the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Lisbon, already conducts nursing consultations, and will be delivered to CEPAC, thus totalling five social support institutions impacted by the campaign. Fr Miguel Vasconcellos, the university chaplain, was also present at the handover.