A Vatican-led initiative is convening world leaders this week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address artificial intelligence, human dignity, and Catholic social teaching. Organized by the Vatican-affiliated Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education, the invitation-only event—known as the “Borgo Dialogues”—runs from September 20 to September 23. The gathering brings together influential figures across business, finance, academia, religion, healthcare, sports, and civil society under the overarching theme, “What are we building, for whom, and who will inherit it?”
Founded by Cardinal Fabio Baggio, director general of the Laudato Si’ Center, the initiative aims to provide a collaborative space for courageous leadership amid growing global institutional fragmentation and mistrust. Inspired by papal teachings—including Pope Francis’ encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, as well as Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas—the dialogues focus on fostering trust across ideological differences and committing to actions that uphold human dignity and the common good.
Key topics on the New York agenda include artificial intelligence, the future and transformation of work, healthcare, sustainable development, and global leadership responsibilities in an interconnected world. Participants share a commitment to ensuring emerging technologies and institutions respect human dignity, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations. Fr. Daniel G. Groody, CSC, of the Laudato Si’ Center and the University of Notre Dame, noted that the forum blends intellectual rigor with moral purpose to translate ideas into practical accountability.
This meeting follows the inaugural Borgo Dialogues held in June at the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo in Vatican City, which brought together over 80 participants. Proposals generated from these discussions are expected to be presented to the World Economic Forum. The discussions coincide with the 81st UN General Assembly session, which opened on September 8 and transitions into its high-level general debate from September 22 to September 28.