On September 3, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., more than 200 students from five bachelor’s degree programs in the Faculty of Humanities of the Catholic University of Portugal will participate, together with faculty members, in a beach-cleaning action at Praia da Mata, in Costa da Caparica, combining the welcome of new students with an environmental citizenship initiative, as announced in a statement.
According to the same source, integrated in the Welcome Session for the 2026/2027 undergraduate students, the activity includes a framing moment about the issue of marine debris, followed by a cleanup action and monitoring of marine litter. At the end, the students will analyze the collected waste, reflecting on its origin, the impacts on marine biodiversity and the oceans, and the ways to prevent its production and deposition in the environment.
The initiative is part of the FCH Solidarity – The Other in Us project, a project that the Faculty of Humanities develops annually through volunteering and social responsibility actions, in collaboration with different institutions and organizations. Over the years, students, faculty, and staff of FCH have participated in initiatives of social, environmental, and community nature, reinforcing the Faculty’s commitment to an education that goes beyond the academic dimension.
This year, the action takes place in coordination with the Blue Flag Association, aligning with the environmental education actions promoted by this entity. The students’ participation will help reinforce awareness about the importance of preserving the coastline and the role of each citizen in protecting the environment, through experiential learning and active participation.
“We want our students to begin their university journey aware that knowledge must walk hand in hand with responsibility toward society and the environment,” says Catarina Duff Burnay, director of the Faculty of Humanities of the Catholic University of Portugal. “This initiative precisely symbolizes that commitment: to learn, to act and to contribute to a present and to a more sustainable future,” she concludes.
More than a welcome moment for new students, this action aims to reinforce the values of social commitment, participation and environmental awareness that are part of the comprehensive education promoted by the Faculty of Humanities, providing an integration experience based on collaborative work and on positive impact in the community.
