From the 5th to the 9th of September 2022, delegates from around the world convened at the Sapienza University in Rome, Italy for the International Summit on the Assumpta Science Center Ofekata-Owerri Initiative (ASCO). ASCO is a non-governmental, non-profit initiative under the auspices of the Pontifical Council for Culture composed of students, youth, lecturers, teachers, and networks of volunteers around the world. The initiative aims to promote informal science learning activities in Africa targeted especially towards young people, for the purpose of synthesizing three key pillars of modern society: faith, science, and sustainable development.

The ASCO initiative was launched following an appeal by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in March 2022 during the European University Students Day where he encouraged universities to take up scientific and cultural projects. It’s aimed at fostering dialogue between science, faith, and sustainable development. Pope Benedict XVI, a firm advocate for science, boldly made it a priority to integrate faith and science rather than separate the two. He once stated during one of his famous Wednesday catechisms sessions that ‘Saint Albert the Great reminds us that between science and faith there is friendship.’

Pope Francis also played a big role in pushing for the promotion of dialogue between faith and science most especially as a problem-solving tool in society today. In his two encyclicals namely Laudato Si and Lumen Fidei, Pope Francis brings out the importance of faith, global solidarity and science in driving sustainability and development in the world through means such as ecological education, community involvement and Christianity for the common good.

(Repetition). The countries represented at the conference include Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, the United States of America (USA), Germany, and Switzerland. The theme aligned with its aim; Global Fraternity and Solidarity among Young people in Faith, Science, and Culture. In the vision of the Encyclicals Fratelli Tutti (FT) and Laudato Si.

The summit purposed to address one of the issues in the ongoing Synodal Process; the lack of youth participation in the church. Young people today make up a large portion of the world’s population. As the world continues to develop, science continues to gain prominence. Consequently, young people are attracted to the marvels science creates such as modern and emerging technologies. The youth also desire spirituality and the love of God. The problem comes about when there lacks harmony between faith and science. It puts the youth in a position where they feel they have to choose between one or the other.

ASCO thus strives to encourage youth participation in the Church and its activities. One of its key activities is the mobilization of personnel to carry out science expos in high-schools across Africa. They also aim to create an environment that allows faith and science to grow and develop together. This is essential in developing countries such as those in Africa where science and technology have the potential to stimulate sustainable development.