Guiding Principles

“Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

— Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis, Pope Leo, and the Laudato si’, the JTS Initiative is committed to translating sustainability research and education into transformative global action. Rather than beginning with specific problems and their solutions, the work of JTS is anchored in and inspired by a positive and holistic vision of sustainability where all life can flourish. This reframing allows us to push towards a unique vision of sustainability that recognizes the necessity of inner and outer transformations at the individual and the collective levels to achieve a better future.

Our integral approach is reflected in the five core principles that anchor all JTS work in alignment with Notre Dame’s mission.

Cross-disciplinary

In response to the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental systems, the JTS Initiative brings together cross-disciplinary teams — including natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, architects, humanists, ethicists, and policy experts — to find holistic solutions that enable both humans and nature to thrive. In particular, we highlight Pope Francis’ emphasis on changes in thoughts, structures, and actions for an integral approach to sustainability.

Place-based

Solutions to intractable sustainability challenges must be specific to local environments. The JTS Initiative invests in place-based approaches that analyze the systems that exist for a specific community, with the aim of deriving a set of solutions that apply not only to specific localities, but which can also be adapted across scales and different conditions.

Partner-connected

Advances toward a just and sustainable world are effective when pursued through collaborative and equitable partnerships with those whom sustainability challenges affect. The JTS Initiative works closely with partner organizations to understand local context and to integrate relevant contextual data and insights into models and analyses. This requires robust engagement with action partners across all of our research, teaching, and engagement activities.

Justice-centered

The sustainability challenges of our time disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities, and there is considerable risk that solutions will further disadvantage these populations. The JTS Initiative addresses this risk by prioritizing marginalized and vulnerable communities and advancing solutions that promote and protect the inherent dignity of each person. This requires ensuring that our models and analyses consider not only data-driven tradeoffs, but values-based tradeoffs that place human dignity at the center.

Action-oriented

To move the needle on today’s urgent sustainability challenges, our outputs must go beyond academia’s traditional research products and dissemination approaches. By leveraging our partnership networks, focusing on deep and sustained local engagement, and ensuring that our research and knowledge creation advance the priorities of defined end-users, the JTS Initiative positions its work to advance specific practices and policies across international, national, and local levels.