Ecuador – Salesian Technical Educational Unit presents the 4th Intercollegiate Ecology Biennial 2026 as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations

11 March 2026 

(ANS – Cuenca) – The Salesian Technical Educational Unit presented, at a press conference, the organisation of the IV Intercollegiate Ecology Biennial, which will take place from 3 to 5 June 2026, as part of the activities commemorating 90 years of Salesian technical education in Cuenca.

The event was attended by institutional authorities and members of the organising committee, who announced the objectives and programme of this academic meeting, aimed at strengthening environmental awareness and ecological commitment among students.

The day began with a speech by student Pamela Tenempaguay, who encouraged the creation of this space for reflection on caring for the planet. Dr Carlos Guevara Toledo then explained the dynamics of the biennial and presented the main topics that will be addressed during the event.

The director of the institution, Santiago Pinos, stressed the importance of new generations understanding the need to care for our Common Home, promoting a culture of environmental responsibility. Along the same lines, Fr Ángel Lazo, rector of the Yanuncay Salesian community, highlighted the commitment that young people and society must make to protecting the environment and building a sustainable future.

During the meeting, nine thematic areas related to ecological awareness will be analysed, including: ecological anthropology and environmental change, Salesian documents, the Church and ecology, environmental education in primary and secondary education, recycling and environmental conservation, water conservation, sustainable mobility, energy and climate change, as well as youth associations and political responsibility in environmental protection.

In addition, as part of the programme, technical visits are planned to various sites linked to environmental management, such as city markets, the IERSE, the solid waste treatment plant, the oxidation ponds, the greenhouses of the Prefecture of Azuay and the Cajas National Park, with the aim of strengthening practical learning and understanding of environmental management processes.

In keeping with the ecological focus of the event, the souvenir presented during the press conference also reflects the commitment to caring for the environment. This gift was made from sustainable and biodegradable materials: an MDF base made from leftover fibres from the wood industry, which allows waste to be reused and reduced, together with a flowerpot made from PLA bioplastic, a material that is not obtained from petroleum but from natural sugars from corn or wheat.

The IV Intercollegiate Ecology Biennial seeks to promote the analysis of current ecological challenges and encourage the development of student proposals aimed at protecting the environment and building an environmentally conscious and sustainable culture.