Robert Szustkowski has been nominated as an Ambassador of the Aldeas Scholas Project – a global film initiative inspired by Pope Francis and acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. The decision of the authorities of Pontificia Scholas Occurrentes – a papal organization dedicated to supporting education, integration, and social development – is the result of the Polish philanthropist’s commitment to implementing the project in Africa, specifically The Gambia, where Szustkowski coordinates cooperation with creators representing the African continent.
Szustkowski is also an ambassador of the 5P Europe Foundation, through which he runs a long-term program promoting physical health in The Gambia. This program was officially blessed by Pope Francis during the International Summit of World Leaders on Children’s Rights. Szustkowski emphasizes that he deeply values the opportunity to be involved in building a vision of a world that respects dignity, rights, and freedom of individuals, while at the same time fostering the potential of young talents. As project co-creator Martin Scorsese highlighted: “Now, more than ever, we must talk to each other and listen to each other across cultural boundaries.”
The Aldeas Scholas Project, which bridges the worlds of film and spirituality, aims to produce the feature-length documentary Aldeas – A New Story. This moving production will serve both as a record of Pope Francis’s last full-length interview and as a manifesto of human dialogue.
A central part of Aldeas – A New Story will be short films created by young filmmakers from Italy, The Gambia, and Indonesia – participants of the Aldeas Initiative program. Their task is to portray local stories, cultural roots, and personal life experiences. These productions are intended to become bridges linking diverse communities and a testament to the power of youth creativity.
In an official letter to Robert Szustkowski, the authorities of Pontificia Scholas Occurrentes expressed their hope that his support in The Gambia would allow the initiative to expand across the African continent. “We believe that our shared journey and recognition will help build a culture of dialogue, transforming not only the lives of individuals but societies around the world,” emphasized José María del Corral, President of Pontificia Scholas Occurrentes.
Although the exact premiere date of the film has not yet been announced, experts predict that Aldeas – A New Story may become one of the most anticipated documentaries of the coming years.
Among the ambassadors of Scholas Occurrentes are well-known politicians, athletes, and artists, including George Clooney, Lionel Messi, Bono, Gianluigi Buffon, and former Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
