CCU Conference 2026
Building Bridges: Global Responsibility for the Common Good
Welcome to the 3rd Biennial Conference of the Consortium of Catholic Universities (CCU), hosted by the Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) from 29–31 July 2026 in Eichstätt, Germany.
We are delighted to welcome colleagues and partners from Catholic universities around the world for three days of dialogue, research exchange, and collaboration.
About the Conference
The Consortium of Catholic Universities (CCU) is an international network dedicated to strengthening collaboration in research, teaching, and institutional engagement among Catholic universities worldwide.
The conference explores how Catholic universities can build cross-border partnerships that translate research, teaching, and outreach into tangible societal impact. Participants will reflect on shared responsibilities and explore initiatives that promote international cooperation, peace, sustainability, and human dignity.
The conference brings together scholars, administrators, and practitioners from partner institutions around the world, including:
- Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Germany)
- University of Notre Dame (USA)
- St Mary's University (United Kingdom)
- Ukrainian Catholic University (Ukraine)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile)
- Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan)
Venue
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU)
Ostenstraße 26
85072 Eichstätt
Germany
Conference sessions will take place in the Sommerresidenz.
Main conference rooms:
• Holzersaal
• Senatssaal
Important Dates
Suggested Arrival: 28 July 2026
Conference Days: 29–31 July 2026
Suggested Departure: 1 August 2026
Accommodation
Das Altmühltal Hotel
Franz-Xaver-Platz 1
85072 Eichstätt
Germany
KU has arranged accommodation for conference participants.
Travel Information
The closest international airport is Munich Airport (MUC).
KU will coordinate shuttle transportation from Munich Airport to Eichstätt whenever possible. Eichstätt can also be reached conveniently by train from Munich.
Important: If you are travelling by train, please get off at Eichstätt Stadt station (not Eichstätt Bahnhof). The conference hotel is directly opposite the station.
Dress code: Summer smart casual. We also recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as Eichstätt is a historic town with cobblestone streets, and the programme includes walking and a guided city tour.
Program
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Arrival of participants in Eichstätt.
19:00 Pre-Conference Dinner (optional)
Location:
Der Dicke Franz/Staderer
Das Altmühltal Hotel
Franz-Xaver-Platz 1
85072 Eichstätt
Participants who arrive in time are warmly invited to join the informal pre-conference dinner.
Wednesday, 29 July 2026
09:30–10:30 Registration and Welcome Coffee
Entrance Area, Sommerresidenz
10:30–11:00 Opening Remarks
Holzersaal
11:00–12:00 Keynote Address: How will we handle conflict in society and in global human relations?
Benedikt Brisch (DAAD)
Holzersaal
12:00–13:20 Lunch
Mensa
13:20-13:30 Official Photo
Entrance Sommerresidenz
13:30–15:00 Parallel Sessions
- Research for the Common Good: Palliative Care Research and Ethics (Holzersaal)
Chair: Martin Kirschner
Presenters: Pedro Perez-Cruz (PUC Chile), Maggie Doherty (St Mary’s University), Jürgen Zerth (KU), Michaela Schneider (KU) - Teaching & Formation: Ethics in New Teaching Approaches (Senatssaal)
Chair: Rowena Roppelt
Presenters: Solomiia Rozlutska (UCU), Ronald Metoyer (UND), Inga Schütte (KU)
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
15:30–16:30 Synthesis Panel: What Does “Common Good” Mean Across Disciplines?
Chair: Martin Kirschner
Holzersaal
16:30–17:30 Guided City Tour (optional)
Entrance Area, Sommerresidenz
19:00 Welcome Reception
Muschelpavillon in the Hofgarten
Thursday, 30 July 2026
08:45–09:00 Welcome Coffee
Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
09:00–11:00 Parallel Sessions
- Research for the Common Good: Ethics in Economics and Leadership (Holzersaal)
Chair: Heiner Böttger
Presenters: Fernando Arancibia-Collao (PUC Chile), Karen Sanders (St Mary’s University), Edda Mack (KU), Cristian Hodge (PUC Chile) - Community Engagement and Outreach (Senatssaal)
Chair: Rowena Roppelt
Presenters: John Lydon (St Mary’s University), Lindsay Paturalski (UND), Olha Mykhailyshyn (KU), Maria Müller-Pulsfuß (KU)
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
11:30–13:00 Parallel Sessions
- Research for the Common Good: Legal Regulation and Policy Impact (Holzersaal)
Chair: Heiner Böttger
Presenters: Maksym Kolyba (UCU), Volodymyr Turchynovskyy (UCU), Markus Riedenauer (KU) - Community Engagement and Outreach
Excursion to Kapuzinergarten
Presentation by Maximiliane Schumm, Dr. Johanna Umbach, Bettina Süss (KU)
Meeting point: Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
13:00–14:30 Lunch
Mensa
14:30–16:00 Partnership & Practice
Chair: Heiner Böttger, Bianca Höppner
Presenters: Jonathan Noble (UND), Eva-Maria Hugo (KU), Patrizia Hartmann (KU), Dr. Frank Zirkl (KU)
Input: Holzersaal
Walk & Talk: Hofgarten
16:00–17:00 Holy Mass (optional)
Willibaldschor, Dom (Eichstätt Cathedral)
19:00 Conference Dinner (optional)
Location: Krone
Domplatz 3, 85072 Eichstätt
Friday, 31 July 2026
09:00–09:30 Welcome Coffee
Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
09:30–11:00 Partnership & Practice
Chair: Bianca Höppner
Presenters: Ashley Beck (St Mary’s University), Maggie Dankert (UND), André Habisch (KU)
Holzersaal
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
Foyer, 1st Floor, Sommerresidenz
11:30–13:00 From Insights into Action: Action Cafe and Plenary Discussion
Chair: Bianca Höppner
Holzersaal
13:00–14:30 Lunch
Mensa
14:30–15:30 CCU Consortium Meeting
Senatssaal
(selected representatives only)
or Optional Side Program
- Visit to Willibaldsburg Castle Eichstätt
- Guided Tour of Churches and Sacred Buildings in Eichstätt — Kirchen in Eichstätt
Conference Streams
Research for the Common Good
Research fostering peace, sustainability, human dignity, and global responsibility.
Teaching & Formation
Innovative pedagogies and curricula that cultivate ethical leadership and intercultural understanding.
Partnership & Practice
Institutional collaborations and community-engaged initiatives with measurable social impact.
Contact
International Office
Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU)
