About TALAB

In preparation for the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si' and following the two years since the Ateneo de Manila University committed to becoming a Laudato Si' University by the year 2030, this year's theme for Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) is Integral Ecology: Caring for Our Common Home.

Integral Ecology emphasizes the fact that everything is connected, something Pope Francis emphasizes in his encyclical Laudato Si'. Thus ecology goes beyond the natural environment and situates humans and human activity within that environment. Laudato Si also emphasizes the importance of sharing resources within our common home and shows how poverty and exclusion is exacerbated by ecological crises.

This year's TALAB will have various activities such as talks, workshops, trips, film showings, and performances; challenging us in finding more ways to practice sustainability in our homes whether that be with our peers, our families, our organizations, our university, our nation, and our larger world.

Previous TALABs

Renewing our Commitment: Persons for Others @ 50 ('23-'24): TALAB 2023 called on us to understand what it means to be a person for others today and assess how we can deepen this commitment.

Amplifying Hope, Voting for Change ('21-'22): Focusing on the approaching National Elections last 2022, this TALAB specified its approach on electoral advocacies and democracy.

2021 and Beyond: The Road Ahead ('20-'21): Confronting the disruptions faced amidst an uncertain future, this TALAB remembered events that caused disruptions themselves.

Ateneo @ 160: Agenda for Hope ('19-'20): Highlighting spaces of hope in the midst of significant global and national challenges, this TALAB provided hopeful avenues for the youth.