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Thursday, October 10
12:30-4:00 PM: "Green Jobs, A More Just Future”
An event at Marcelle Athletic Center open to Siena students featuring display booths of organizations that seek a societal transformation through:
- advocacy
- solidarity-inspired action
- promotion of eco-literacy/restorative justice
- transition to clean, renewable energy and corresponding, growing job sector
4:40 pm – Opening Symposium Session
Setting the Stage for the Conference: “Why Integral Ecology/Sustainability within Franciscan Colleges and Universities Now?” Katherine L. Meierdiercks, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences at Siena College and Br. Michael Perry, OFM, Ph.D. Director of Laudato Si’ Center for Integral Ecology
5:10 pm
Interfaith Prayer for Creation
6:15 pm
Dinner
7:30 pm — Keynote address
Keynote Address: U.N. Secretary General António Guterres: “Global Perspectives on the Climate Crisis and Urgency to Act Now"
Respondents:
- Medha Palnati: a Siena graduate, current medical student
- Rev. Kathryn Beilke: Beyond Plastics
A discussion moderated by Vera Eccarius-Kelly, Professor of Political Science at Siena College
8:30 pm — Q&A
Q&A’s moderated by Prof. Vera Eccarius-Kelly
Friday, OCTOBER 11
7:30-8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM
Greeting and Opening Prayer
9:05 am — Welcome address
Len Cutler, Professor of Political Science at Siena, introduces Chuck Seifert, President of Siena College, for the welcome address.
9:30 am — Speaker & Q&A
Basil Seggos: former N.Y. State Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, “National and State Responses to Climate Change: Fostering Effective Partnership and Collaboration Between Private and Public Sectors and Civil Society”
A conversation and Q&A’s moderated by a Siena student, Paris DeFilippis '25
10:15 AM
Break
10:30 AM — PANEL
“Climate Change: What is at Stake? Why Should I Care?”
Moderator: Elaine Houston. She is an Emmy award-winning and two-time Emmy nominated social justice reporter at NBC news in Albany, NY who has just retired after 33 years of her career.
“Climate Change: Does it have to be so Complex?” Sena Wazer, a Yale School of the Environment master's student and youth climate advocate.
“War’s Victims: A Look at Human and Ecological Impacts” - Presenter TBD
“The Business of Business is? Sustainable Development Goals, ESGs and the Friedman Conundrum” Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia, a graduate of Siena and Director of Sustainability at University at Albany.
12:00 PM
Lunch Break
1:30 PM — speaker
Introduction by Br. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM, Laudato Si' Center for Integral Ecology at Siena College
“Integral Ecology: A Franciscan Response to the Cry of the Poor and of The Planet” Br. Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv. and Gabriela Martinez from Franciscan Action Network
2:15 PM
Break
2:45 PM — Panel
“What Can We Do? Thinking Globally, Acting Locally”
Moderator: Emily Atassi: Siena Class 2025 President. She is currently pursuing three majors at Siena College in Criminal Justice: Human Rights, Political Science: International Relations, and Psychology.
“Power to the People: Local Citizen-Led Sustainability Initiatives in the Albany Region” Scott Kellogg, Educational Director of the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center
“Becoming an Ecological College: Empowering Students, Transforming the Environment: Student-Led Initiatives at Siena College” Presenter: Isabelle Rowley, Environmental Studies student at Siena College
“Public Advocacy on Behalf of the Poor and the Planet: Voices from the Grassroots” Presenter: Quron White '25, Neumann University
4:15 PM — SYMPOSIUM WRAP-UP
“Shaping Imagination, Engaging Energies on Behalf of the Environment/Sustainability: Possible Next Steps”
4:45 PM
Closing Prayer
7:00 PM EVENING PRESENTATION
Siena College Performing Arts Center – Closing of Saint Francis Week
A series of short plays about climate change, sustainability, and climate justice written by Siena students, alumni, and local playwrights, directed and performed by Siena College students.
Organized by Dr. Krysta Dennis, Associate Professor of Performance