"We are a place of encounter": Take part in Católica's Christmas solidarity campaign

Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP) promotes another edition of its Christmas solidarity campaign, this time under the motto "We are a place of encounter!". This motto was inspired by the words of His Holiness Pope Francis during a visit to the University as part of World Youth Day in August.

Get to know all the initiatives here

Once again, Católica is bringing together the communities of its four campi (Lisboa, Porto, Braga and Viseu), intending to support 28 charities through the collection of goods, volunteering activities for employees and students, among others, until December 15.

The date chosen for the start of this campaign is associated with the global Giving Tuesday movement, which aims to inspire generosity around the world by promoting a day every year when everyone is invited to take action.

In Lisboa, various solidarity activities will take place, such as the visit of a group of 27 children and young people from the Santa Teresa Association to the University, the 2nd edition of the Christmas Solidarity Market - with partner institutions of the VIDA Project - Volunteering at Católica, campaigns to collect goods by the various Student Associations and volunteering initiatives for students and staff.

In Porto, food will be collected to build baskets to support families in situations of social vulnerability, there will be a Solidarity Market to sell products made by CASO's partner institutions and a volunteering initiative for the internal community "Hands on: for a more sustainable campus".

In Viseu, and in partnership with the Ready to Help Association, a campaign involving students, teachers and staff is planned to take place on UCP premises, in specific locations, to collect clothes and non-perishable food to support social solidarity institutions in the city of Viseu and around 100 families in need.

In Braga, among other initiatives, there will be a Solidarity Concert on December 14 by Father Duarte Rosado, sj. Admission is free and each participant can contribute as they wish by depositing their donation in the piggy banks available. The proceeds will go to the "Virar a Página" organisation, which works with homeless people in the city.

These are just some of the various initiatives that are still running and in which you can take part until December 15.