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SDGs at Sophia University

Sophia School Corporation Declaration on Promoting Sustainability

Sophia School Corporation has been committed to human education based on “Christian Humanism”, where each student, faculty and staff mutually recognizes the dignity of the human personality and basic human rights, and aims to be a person who serves the development of the world with responsible behavior and a humble spirit. Never taking a bystander attitude, each school is committed to nurturing individuals who strive to solve global-scale problems through dialogue.

When Pope Francis visited Sophia University in 2015, he delivered the message that in the spirit of his encyclical, Laudato Si’, “this university should be a center not only of intellectual formation, but also a place where a better society and a more hope-filled future can take shape” and that“ love for nature should here find expression in a sapient and foresighted concern for the protection of the earth, our common home.” Committed to the educational spirit of“ For Others, With Others” and the seven goals presented in Laudato Si’, Sophia School Corporation will contribute to solving social issues, creating value, and protecting and preserving the environment through its research and education activities.

Sophia University has signed its commitment to Pope Francis’ “7-Year Journey Towards Integral Ecology”. In order to achieve the goals of Laudato Si’, members of signatory universities are expected to learn, practice, and share, with the broad participation of students, faculty, staff, and all relevant stakeholders.

*UAPs

The Society of Jesus, which established Sophia School Corporation, set out at the General Congregation 32 in 1975 set out the “promotion of faith” as a service of faith. Then, the Jesuit General Congregation 35 in 2008 focused on environmental destruction, as well as refugee and migrant issues, which had emerged as an aspect of the shadows of globalization. As a result, it stressed the importance and urgency of “reconciliation,” and highlighted ”reconciliation with God,” “reconciliation with one another,” and “reconciliation with creation.” In 2019, apostolic priorities were outlined in the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus (UAP):

  1. To show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment;
  2. To walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice;
  3. To accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future;
  4. To collaborate in the care of our Common Home.

These preferences are consistent with Sophia School Corporation’s promotion of sustainability, as well as with the SDGs.

United Nations and Sophia University SDGs

Sophia University United Nations Weeks

United Nations Global Compact

Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
Human Rights Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses
Labour Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Environment Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
Anti-Corruption Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery
United Nations Global Compact https://www.unglobalcompact.org/
Sophia University COE (February 2022) https://unglobalcompact.org/participation/report/cop/detail/480857
Global Compact Network Japan (in Japanese) http://www.ungcjn.org/

United Nation's Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)