Nov 11, 2018 | Non categorizzato
11 November commemorates the centennial of the end of the First World War, which was followed by the Peace Conference in Paris (18 January 1919 – 21 January 1920). But for at least another 5 years all of Europe was beset by continual revolutions and violence of all kinds. From Finland to Anatolia, from the Caucasus to Ireland, from Germany to Greece. “Wars are always tragic, affirmed the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Materella, last 4 November. And citing the words of the writer, Claudio Magris, “Every country thought of teaching a good lesson to the nearest enemy, benefitting in territorial and other advantages. Nobody could have imagined that war would have been so tremendous, and would have lasted so long.” In our time, still marked by winds of war, may the recurrence of the centennial be a warning to persevere in the process of European integration and unification, the only guarantees for an enduring peace.”
Nov 9, 2018 | Non categorizzato
After the success of the 1st edition, Gen Rosso (International Performing Arts Group) presents the 2nd edition of “Gen Rosso Music and Arts Village“, a depeening artistic experience and a sharing of values in the light of the charism of unity. The Village, which will take place at Gen Rosso production studios in Loppiano from 27 December 2018 to 5 January 2019, intends to involve young professionals and students of various disciplines such as music, dance, vocals, theater, sound and light engineering, from 18 years old and up.A certificate of participation will be issued at the end of the program. The teaching methodology is designed and managed by Gen Rosso tutors in collaboration with teachers with recognized skills and artistic experience. The program includes the study of specific themes in the arts world, the exchange of experiences, creative spaces and practical workshops that will converge in a final performance. Contributions by professional artists are scheduled for some evenings. The Gen Rosso Village secretary is available to provide further information and all the necessary documentation for registration (limited number). Contacts Secretary VILLAGE: tel +390558339821 (9 am to 1 pm) mobile Franco Gallelli +393806592166 (24h) e-mail village@genrosso.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9eF6q1PYO4
Nov 9, 2018 | Non categorizzato
One unforgettable night, 29 years ago, the citizens of East Berlin started to hammer down the wall that had divided them from the Western side of the city, since 13 August 1961. The Berlin wall was just a tract along the border line that divided all of Europe into two parts during the cold war: the zone under US surveillance to the west and the Soviet zone to the east Today, other walls still remain, like that between North and South Korea, and new ones have been built. These walls violate the people’s fundamental rights to health, education, employment, water and food. And which, at times separate communities and families, like those between Israel and Palestine, between Egypt and Israel, between the USA and Mexico, between India and Bangladesh, between Morocco, Algiers and Mauritius. Also in Europe new walls divide, like those between Ceuta and Mellila, or, or between Greece and Turkey. Lastly, a wall of water, is the Mediterranean sea, which continues to swallow up victims. The unexpected fall of the Berlin wall however, had triggered a hope which is still actual today: that all the walls, thanks to the commitment of man men and women of good will, may one day collapse.
Nov 9, 2018 | Non categorizzato
500 “Prophetic Economy” participants from 40 countries and all five continents were gathered from 2 to 4 November at the International Mariapolis Centre, CastelGandolfo, near Rome, Italy. The event facilitated interactive and intergenerational exchange through a program of inspiring contributions, work groups and creative workshops. What began as an international platform of encounter, exchange and encouragement, the event went far beyond the limits of mere networking, to become a driving force of energy and commitment for initiatives and actions at local, regional and international levels. Internationally-renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs, a key speaker at the event, affirmed, “Prophetic economy means an economy that operates in the vision of the prophets, of justice, of peace, a vision of meeting the needs of the poorest people, a vision of protecting creation.”. 
Diversity characterized the participants: economists, ecological activists, experts from the financial sector, students, entrepreneurs, people from a variety of different cultural and religious backgrounds, with a wide age range – the youngest being only 9 years old! The younger attendees were protagonists both in age-specific sessions involving interaction with experts in the fields of economy and ecology, and in cross-generational panels, contributing their own distinctive questions, proposals and life experiences. “How good it has been to have the children and young people with us” said Josiane Gauthier, Secretary General of Catholic Development Alliance CIDSE. Inspiring us with their profound intelligence and grace and truth”. The event highlighted examples of good economic practices. As Italian economist Stefano Zamagni explained, “It‘s those who look ahead and dare to gaze beyond the obstacles. The current economic and social models no longer work”. “These kind of economic practices already exist”, observed Lorna Gold, economist with Trocair, the Irish development agency, “but all too often they’re invisible in the media and our culture.” 
The “Prophetic Economy Award” was launched to promote good practice through examples of the prophetic economy in action. Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food Movement, acknowledged the award winners. “They practice a form of economic reality different from the norm, they see beyond the pervasive economic modes. They are not so much prophetic in vision, as in their daily practice.” “This is not about utopias or ‘small islands’ within an unjust and unchanging system. Here, we’re looking at signals of tangible change,” observed Argentinean economist Cristina Calvo. “In the face of massive global financial mechanisms, we run the risk of feeling powerless. The antidote to being static is to widen the spectrum of action on all levels: micro, medium and macro.” A significant element within this event was the space given to those living in situations of poverty or social exclusion to make their own voice heard. “The time has come to rethink our economy and rethink our world, not ‘for’ the poor, not even with their participation, but starting from them,” concluded Jean Tonglet of ATD Fourth World. “Our knowledge is incomplete until it includes the knowledge of those we want to liberate from poverty, who struggle with its effects on a daily basis.” The challenge launched by this event is to invent new ways of collaboration, in order to be stronger and more creative in efforts to change to lifestyles based on a more sharing, more just and more sustainable economy. “The new idea at the basis of this event,” explained Italian economist Luigino Bruni, “was to bring ecology and economy together. In today’s world, we cannot speak of poverty without mentioning climate. One of the great messages of Pope Francis’ pontificate is the invitation to activate processes, not occupy spaces, because time is superior to space. Here, we can say that a process has been started”. The younger participants spent time considering and embracing the challenge launched by the World Food Organization to work to eradicate hunger in the world by 2030 (#zerohunger),formulating their own proposals: – to promote the idea of a “deferred meal”, asking restaurants and bars to encourage their clients to buy an extra meal for someone in need, and issuing a #zerohunger sticker to participating businesses; – to campaign for a new subject in the school curriculum teaching the Sustainable Development Goals promoted by the United Nations. Prophetic Economy is an international project jointly run by seven organizations: Pope John XXIII Community Association, Nomadelfia, The Global Catholic Climate Movement, ATD Fourth World, Associazione Mondo di Comunità e Famiglia (World of Community and Family Association), SlotMob initiative and the international Focolare Movement represented by its Economy of Communion project and ‘Teens for Unity’ youth section.
Photo album on Flickr 
Nov 8, 2018 | Non categorizzato
Nov 7, 2018 | Non categorizzato
A learning community I’m the headteacher of a school in an impoverished and isolated town with high rates of both unemployment and school absenteeism. Over the years, I have tried to create strong and deep relationships with my pupils, their families, my colleagues and all school empoyees. And I’ve had the joy of seeing a real “learning community” spring up, joined together to promote the dignity of each person, in a spirit of openness towards others. In our attempts to help our pupils not to abandon school, we have welcomed the “adoption at a distance” of pupils with their families, but we’ve also made our own contribution: setting up a traditional handcrafts workshop. This project actually attracted presidential acknowledgement. Recently ill health has forced me to limit my activities, but as long as I have breath in my body I will fight for education to help people discover their own value and the love of God. (I. – Argentina) Take on another’s pain Our family was shaken to the core by the suicide of my brother. Life was never the same again for us. I myself began to doubt my faith. My days became emptier and lost their meaning, until one day I realised that my attitude was not helping my parents at all. I gathered up all my strength in order to take on their terrible pain, so that by sharing it with them, their tragic burden might be lightened. Gradually, in this way, I found that my own wounds began to heal. It was not easy, but it’s helping me too, now that I have myself become a mother. (O.M. – Germany) Making space for others I married Marcello when I was 24 years old. We had so much in common, including our faith and we dreamed of the beautiful family we would have together. 15 years later, Marcello was taken from me in an accident. For six years I remained trapped within the unanswerable “why me”? Until the day I accepted an invitation to a meeting, where they spoke of God Love. This disturbed me but gradually the words sank in and began to change something within me. When I heard how, out of love for us, Jesus on the cross experienced abandonment from the Father, crying out “My God, why have you forsaken me?”, my own forsaken cry began to make sense. My situation did not change, I was still a widow, but within me I was able to begin to love once more. Looking around, I noticed how many people were experiencing a void as great as my own. The more I was able to make space for them, the more God filled me with His peace. (A. – Italy) Thinking of those who come after me I’m a teacher. At the end of each lesson, I try to leave the classroom in good order for those who will use the room after me. I leave the desk tidy, the teaching board clean, the windows open to let in the fresh air. Each room has two baskets for waste: one for paper and one for all other discarded items. Often, when I find them mixed up, I try to sort the rubbish so it is all in the correct basket. This means I often lose a few minutes of my break time, which should be to regain strength for my next lessons, but I believe it is definitely time “lost” well! (A. – Switzerland) Keep the conversation going When our children entered adolescence, we found it harder and harder to understand one other. This led to tensions between me and my husband because we had very different approaches to their behaviour. When we realised that our relationships with our children were under threat, with one son in particular, we understood that we had to go beyond the limits of our own ideas and set ourselves to be the first to love, constantly keeping a conversation going between us and with our children. Now they have all grown up, but we know that our role in educating our children is far from over! (Mariolina – Italy)
