Geneva: New Humanity at the Organizations for the United Nations Palaceity

Montet, in the French-speaking Switzerland, is one of the Focolare Little towns, where youth from all over the world spend a period of their life, studying and deepening their knowledge of the spirituality of unity. The symposium in Geneva represented an important step in the study of the Social Doctrine of the Church, offering to all young participants a wide perspective on the nature and role of Non-governmental Organizations.

The seminar was introduced by the president of New Humanity, Franco Pizzorno, who sketched its motivations, and all the practical initiatives of the different branches of the Movement, that work for families, youth, economics, politics, and international cooperation.

Mons. Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations in Geneva, presented a wide and well-documented account on the constant committment of the Catholic Church for the defense of all fundamental human rights.

Dr. Ricardo Espinosa, coordinator of all the NGOs accredited at the UN, underlined the contribution in terms of critical conscience, that civil society organizations can give in the relationship with institutions, whereas Dr. Shyami Pumanasinghe, a UN official, explained the work done in order to finalize the Declaration on the Right to Development and Solidarity.

Impressive the speech by Alfred Fernandez, director of OIDEL (International Organization for the Right to Education and Freedom of Education), who summarized the main features of the NGOs, pointing out how trust relations with institutions are fundamental, in order to be both recognized and listened to partners. Alessandra Aula from BICE (International Catholic Child Bureau) gave evidence of the committment of the NGOs for the defense of human rights.

All the speeches took place in an atmosphere of particular harmony among speakers and audience, also thanks to the effective and all-involving coordination run by Jorge Ferreira, representative of New Humanity in Geneva. In a lively and much-appreciated dialogue, every single participant had the opportunity to open a privileged point of view on the wide themes of Human Rights, rediscovering the important contribution in terms of values and experiences, which the civil society, also through the NGOs, can bring in the international discussion on the main themes on the civil living together.