‘Borgo Dialogues’ Bring Global Leaders Together in New York

The Borgo Dialogues, a global leadership initiative rooted in Catholic social teaching, is bringing together leaders from business, finance, academia, faith, healthcare, sport, civil society and international institutions for its first gathering in the United States.

The New York meeting is taking place from September 20 to 23, alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The gathering follows the inaugural Borgo Dialogues, which were held in June at Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo.

The initiative seeks to create a space where leaders from different sectors can examine complex global challenges and consider how decisions made today may affect communities and future generations. Discussions are centred on issues including artificial intelligence, the changing nature of work, healthcare, sustainable development and human dignity.

Leadership and the Common Good at the Centre

According to the organisers, the Borgo Dialogues are designed around the role of leadership in advancing the common good. The platform aims to bring together people with different professional and institutional backgrounds to discuss challenges that extend beyond national and organisational boundaries.

A central question guiding the discussions is: “What are we building, for whom, and who will inherit it?” The question is intended to encourage participants to consider the broader consequences of decisions involving technology, investment, healthcare, governance and leadership. It also places greater emphasis on the long-term social impact of innovation and institutional decision-making.

Creating a Space for Cross-Sector Dialogue

Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Director General of the Laudato si’ Centre for Higher Education and founder of the initiative, described the Borgo Dialogues as an opportunity for leaders to engage through listening, encounter and shared responsibility.

He emphasised the importance of creating spaces where leaders can address difficult questions, strengthen trust across differences and consider approaches that protect human dignity and contribute to the common good.

The New York programme features leadership roundtables, private meetings and strategic discussions. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence and workforce transformation, healthcare and human dignity, sustainable development, systems-level change across industries and the responsibilities of leaders in an increasingly interconnected world.

Borgo Dialogues Expand From Castel Gandolfo to New York

The New York gathering follows the first Borgo Dialogues, held from June 17 to 19 at Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo. More than 80 global leaders participated in the inaugural meeting. The June discussions examined topics including artificial intelligence and humanity, ageing and dignity, sport and diplomacy, and leadership.

The meeting concluded with a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, who described the Dialogues as a first step towards renewing and reimagining moral leadership in a fragmented world. The move from Castel Gandolfo to New York expands the initiative's international reach while maintaining its focus on dialogue between leaders from different sectors.

Connecting Ideas With Practical Action

Rev. Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., Vice President and Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at the University of Notre Dame and a member of the General Council of the Laudato si’ Centre for Higher Education, said the initiative aims to connect intellectual discussion with practical action.

He highlighted the importance of building relationships that can extend beyond institutional and ideological boundaries, particularly as governments, businesses and communities confront increasingly interconnected challenges.

The organisers say the Dialogues are intended to encourage the development of technologies, institutions and systems that recognise the dignity of every person, with particular attention to vulnerable communities.

Proposals Expected to Reach Global Economic Forum

The discussions are also intended to generate proposals that can move beyond the forum itself. Organisers expect ideas emerging from the Borgo Dialogues to be presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

This approach is intended to connect leadership dialogue with broader conversations on technology, economic development, sustainability and social responsibility. By bringing together participants from business, academia, healthcare, faith, sport and civil society, the Borgo Dialogues seek to create a cross-sector platform for examining how global challenges can be addressed through cooperation and responsible leadership.

Editor’s Note

The Borgo Dialogues highlight the growing importance of cross-sector conversations around technology, sustainability, healthcare and human dignity. By bringing leaders from different fields into the same forum, the initiative aims to connect ethical reflection with practical approaches to challenges that increasingly affect societies across national and institutional boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Borgo Dialogues?

The Borgo Dialogues are a global leadership initiative that brings together leaders from sectors including business, academia, finance, healthcare, faith and civil society to discuss major global challenges and the common good.

2. Where are the Borgo Dialogues being held in September 2026?

The latest gathering is taking place in New York from September 20 to 23, 2026, alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

3. What topics are being discussed?

Key topics include artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, healthcare, human dignity, sustainable development, systems-level change and responsible leadership.

4. Where was the first Borgo Dialogues meeting held?

The inaugural meeting took place from June 17 to 19, 2026, at Borgo Laudato si’ in Castel Gandolfo.

5. What is expected to happen with the proposals from the Dialogues?

Organisers expect proposals emerging from the discussions to be presented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.