Call for Papers: Canary Islands Symposium 2026 Universidad de La LagunaTenerife, Canary Islands, SpainJune 12–13, 2026
Canary Islands Symposium 2026
Universidad de La LagunaTenerife, Canary Islands, SpainJune 12–13, 2026
Refugees & Migrants in Our Common Home is a global initiative organized by Villanova University’s Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration in collaboration with Catholic, academic, and civil society partners worldwide. The initiative convenes academics, researchers, NGOs, and migrant and refugees to co-create and implement university-focused Action Plans across four pillars: Teaching, Research, Advocacy, and Service with Refugees and Migrants.
Launched in Rome in October 2025 with over 250 delegates from 42 countries, the initiative responds to Pope Leo XIV’s call to confront the “globalization of powerlessness” by fostering reconciliation and hope through systemic transformation.
Organized by:
In partnership with:
Mission
The Canary Islands Symposium brings the Refugees & Migrants in Our Common Home (OCH) vision to one of the world’s most significant migratory crossroads. The Canary Islands, Spain, situated along a principal route from Africa to Europe where tens of thousands of migrants and refugees arrive each year, offer a deeply meaningful setting to examine contemporary issues of migration, displacement, and human dignity. Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to the islands during this period underscores the urgency and moral importance of this conversation, affirming that every person undertaking such a journey carries a name, a story, and an irreplaceable dignity.
Our symposium will coincide with Pope Leo’s address on Tenerife and will open with attendance at Pope Leo’s mass on Friday, June 12, followed by informal conversations and dinner in the evening. The Symposium takes place on Saturday, June 13, with a full day of dialogue, collaboration, and discernment, culminating with a community dinner. On Sunday, pending confirmation, we will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral..
To deepen the collective conversation, the symposium will include keynote addresses, lightning talks, and working-group sessions. One of the keynote speakers will be Ousman Umar, activist, author, and founder of NASCO Feeding Minds, whose journey from Ghana across the Sahara and Mediterranean stands as a powerful testament to courage and hope.
Working Groups
Working groups are at the heart of the Our Common Home community and are where real collaboration and action planning take place.
Participants will select a group centered on the four key project pillars: teaching, research, advocacy, and service with migrants and refugees. Working groups will meet to discuss questions guided by the core pillars and focused on regional action that can both refine and respond to the Action Plans, given this context’s priorities.
Lightning Talks
Lightning talk presenters will contribute to forward-thinking discussions aimed at articulating a shared vision, recommending actionable steps, highlighting best practices, and identifying interventions that respond to the realities of migration in the Canary Islands context.
Lightning Talks are short-form presentations designed to spark new conversations and collaborations. Unlike traditional conference presentations or lectures, each speaker has 5-7 minutes to present a topic, with no more than five slides that prioritize visuals over text. Many useful guides about Lightning Talks are available online. Here is our Guidebook and a Lightning Talk video about preparing a Lightning Talk.
Purpose of Lightning Talks
- Encourage fast-paced, engaging knowledge sharing.
- Provide an opportunity for many participants to present in a short period.
- Foster cross-disciplinary discussions and networking.
Themes for Lightning Talk Submissions
Lightning talk submissions are invited on the following themes, with a focus on the Canary Islands, as well as transferable practices from other regions that may offer relevant insights, comparable contexts, or global best practices applicable to island migration settings. We accept group lightning talks of a maximum of 2 participants per talk.
1. Migration Journeys, Trauma, and Human Dignity
Focuses on the lived realities of migrants arriving in island contexts such as the Canary Islands, including journeys of courage, survival, and resilience. This theme also addresses trauma‑informed responses, healing practices, and mental health support for migrants, educators, frontline responders, and community workers.
2. Education, Youth, and Empowerment in Island Migration Contexts
Explores how education, digital learning, and youth‑led innovation support migrant inclusion and long‑term empowerment. This includes transferable learning models, technology‑enabled solutions, and youth engagement strategies that strengthen access, skills, and resilience in island and migration‑affected settings.
3. Community, Culture, and Local Responses Across the Islands
Highlights how local communities, universities, and institutions respond to migration through culturally grounded, community‑led approaches. This theme centres cross‑cultural connection, solidarity, local networks, and place‑based responses that strengthen belonging and social cohesion in island regions.
4. Policy and Ethical Approaches to Island Migration
Focuses on the unique role of island entry points such as the Canary Islands and the policy and ethical frameworks needed to support humane reception, protection, and long‑term integration.
Tentative Agenda
Thursday, June 11
We are working with local NGOs to arrange visits to reception centers on the Island. Pre-registration will open soon.
Friday, June 12
Pope Leo will celebrate Mass on Tenerife and we will be there. Following the Mass, we will gather for panel discussions with academics, community leaders, and refugees and migrants to the islands. Agenda will be shared after Pope Leo announces Mass time and location.
Saturday, June 13 (Symposium tentative schedule)
9:00 Opening Remarks
9:30 Keynote by Ousman Umar
10:00 Our Common Home Guiding Principles and Methodology
10:30 Concurrent Panel Discussions
11:30 Lightning Talks (4 break out rooms)
1:00 Lunch
2:30 Working Groups (4 break out rooms)
3:30 Atlantic Ecclesial Hospitality Network (Fr. Steve Youm, Dakar, Senegal; Mons. Victor Ndione, Nouakchott, Mauritania; Don Fernando Redondo Pavón, Director of Migration Department and Mons. Fernando García Cadinanos).
5:00 Reflection on Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Social Teaching on Migration
5:30 Migrant Voices
6:30 Closing Circle
8:00 Dinner
Sunday, June 14
Closing Mass at Catedral de la Laguna.
Deadlines and Applications
Lightning Talk Presenters Application Deadline: Applications open now and will be reviewed until Monday, May 4, 2026
Notification of Lightning Talk Acceptance: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Monday, May 11, 2026
Lightning talk abstracts should be limited to 250-300 words, and presenters should include a brief biographical note of 100 words. If your proposal is accepted, a separate email will be sent to confirm acceptance by May 11. Regardless of the lightning talk decision, once registered you are confirmed as a participant in the conference and working group discussions.
https://vuevents.villanova.edu/877447
Deadline for General Attendance Registration: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Symposium Registration costs:
High Income Countries $320
Low Income Countries $120
Students/Religious $70
NGOs from Canary Islands: Free (with discount code)
For general questions or inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
