GreenAccord Forum 2026: Sustainability, media, and a shared future

By Marian Tomarro and Francesca Merlo - Treviso, Italy

The 17th International Forum on Information for the Safeguard of Nature, promoted by GreenAccord, opened on the afternoon of 18 March in Treviso, in Northern Italy, and will continue until Saturday.

Bringing together more than 100 journalists from over 40 countries, alongside institutional representatives, public administrators, businesses, academics, and members of the cultural sector, the forum creates space for international dialogue on environmental and social challenges.

This year’s theme, “Building Future Together – A new humanity thirsting for the future,” sets the mood for the discussions, which are structured around an opening session and six thematic sessions. Key topics include integral ecology, cooperation between Europe and the United States, clean technologies, the future of mountain territories, the sustainability of major events, and the responsibility of global media in a fragmented world marked by inequalities.

Before the opening: a call for hope and responsibility

Before the official opening, Alfonso Cauteruccio, President of GreenAccord, spoke with Vatican News’ Marina Tomarro, outlining the intention behind this year’s forum.

“We are facing an international landscape that raises concern and often makes the future appear uncertain,” he said. “Instead, we want to speak about a humanity that wants to renew itself, to take concrete action, and above all to look to the future with hope.”

He also pointed to the growing sense of eco-anxiety, particularly among younger generations, describing it as a fear of how environmental conditions may worsen in the coming years. The forum, he explained, aims to respond to this concern by encouraging informed dialogue and practical engagement.

From food systems to the “ecology of the soul”

Across the coming days, the forum will explore a wide range of themes: sustainable agriculture, food systems, urban regeneration, bioarchitecture, wellbeing economics, and digital innovation.

Particular attention will be given to the food supply chain, including contributions from Michelin-starred chefs on how to reduce waste and promote more sustainable practices.

Alongside these topics, the programme also includes reflections on what organisers describe as an “ecology of the mind and soul,” linked to the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures written by Saint Francis of Assisi around 1225, one year before his death in 1226. A message prepared by Pietro Parolin will be played during the forum, read by Cardinal Beniamino Stella.

The role of media in a fragmented world

Another central focus of the forum is the responsibility of journalists in addressing environmental issues accurately.

“Today we speak a great deal about integral ecology,” Cauteruccio noted, “but it is also easy to come across so-called fake news.” For this reason, part of the discussion will involve journalists from different parts of the world, examining how misinformation can be addressed through research and responsible reporting.

He emphasised the need to support journalists in their work, ensuring they have access to reliable data and information. “Their work is precious,” he said, “and they need to be supported by those who can provide correct information to pass on to readers and audiences.”

Dialogue across sectors

The forum also includes space for dialogue between businesses, particularly through exchanges between Italian and American companies engaged in sustainable production.

By bringing together different sectors and perspectives, the initiative aims to promote cooperation and shared responsibility in responding to environmental challenges - combining technological innovation, cultural reflection, and accurate information as key elements in shaping future action.