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Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
“Chiara Lubich: l’unità e la politica”
Multi-sided international event
2015, Marzo 13-14-15
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
A vast cultural and political transition characterizes our times. Rapid
transformations compel us to question: how can positive and irreversible
coming closer among peoples coexist with the worsening of hunger,
inequalities, widespread wars, terrorism, destruction of the environment,
in an atmosphere of increasing uncertainties and concerns? Very often
we observe that these situations are in the hands of a weak and sometimes disordered politics.
To contribute to the renewal of politics and the consolidation of its role,
the Mppu - Movement of politics and policy for unity is organizing an
exceptional event, in collaboration with other social players inspired by
the same ideals.. An “intercontinental workshop” will link a series of
conferences and seminars in different cities: Rome, Seoul, Manila,
Curitiba, Rosario, Strasbourg, Madrid, Budapest, London, Nairobi, New
York… only to mention some selected venues in the world.
These meetings, that could provide an appropriate set-up for the different
situations, will take place on the dates 13-14-15 March 2015: it happens
to be the seventh anniversary of the departure of Chiara Lubich,
foundress of the Focolare Movement and of the Mppu itself. This event
aims to draw contribution from her rich patrimony of thought and life.
The goal is to provide a forum for many groups of men and women who
are passionately interested in establishing the common good. They will
be able to investigate, in an open and diverse exchange of views, which
political choices could create a fundamental option such as unity in
different economic, cultural and institutional contexts.
Politics for unity
2015, March 13-14-15
making a
WORLD
of difference
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
This event is mainly for people committed in the life of civil society and in political
institutions with various functions, scholars and academicians, young people
interested in offering ideas and energies for a political renewal in its different
dimensions.
2015, March 13-14-15
Over 5,000 people are expected to participate in the meetings and more than 30,000
people through live streaming, besides all those who can be reached through the
media (press and television), the social networks and other follow-up channels.
The final result of each conference and seminar, established with participatory
procedures, will be a document that will be offered to policy-makers and for public
discussions . This document will also gather indications and perspectives of political
analysis, besides proposals of involvement and activities, beginning from some
guidelines:
•
•
•
peace and universal brotherhood represent real categories of politics.
the choice of the “least” in society constitutes a main criterion of political action.
politics is understood as a personal and communitarian commitment to establish the
common good.
However, even before such result, the main goal of the “workshop” is the proposal
and consolidation of an exercise of fruitful dialogue between equals. This should be
carried out on the basis of theoretical points elaborated in the preparatory phase and
through the sharing of “good practices”, in order to be able to identify some
important leitmotifs in different contexts, especially in connection with:
•
tension/complementarity between local and global dimensions,
•
representative democracy and new models of political organization,
•
fragmentation/integration of the idea of sovereignty,
•
relationship between the common good and common goods in globalization,
•
economic policies and initiatives of the government against marginalization and
exclusion,
•
re-conceptualization of the idea of development and relative models, protection of
the environment,
•
concept of security, resolution of crises and prevention of conflicts.
An International scientific committee will support the initiative especially with:
•
the production of a video documentary, in English and in the main working
languages, to give voice to the original nucleus of Chiara Lubich’s thought and to men and
women of different nationalities as well as to bear witness to the commitment for universal
brotherhood in political activity,
•
the elaboration of some specialized thematic contributions, entrusted to scholars
with solid political and scientific experiences in different fields,
•
a website that will document the preparation of the different conferences and
seminars, also hosting a dialogue forum on democracy, its contents and instruments; during
the three days, the website will include the live streaming of programmes from the different
venues and will also publish all the material produced.
Via Frascati, 306 - 00040 - Rocca di Papa (Rome)
Tel +39 06 945407210 - Fax +39 06 9412080
[email protected] - www.mppu.org
Politics for unity
2015, March 13-14-15
making a
WORLD
of difference
Chiara Lubich
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
Biographical Timeline
1920 Born in Trent and baptized with the name Silvia. Graduated as a
teacher in 1938. She then enrolled at the University of Venice but had to
stop her studies because of the world war.
1939 At 19 years old, she understood her vocation: a “fourth way” in
the Church, the “Focolare”.
1943
Attracted by the radical choice of Clare of Assisi, she took her
name. On December 7, 1943 she consecrated herself to God.
1944 Committed to live with radicalism the Gospel, Chiara and the first
group of young people who followed her shared what they had with the
poor. A varied community modelled on the community of the first
Christians was formed.
1948
1948 In the House of Parliament in Rome, she met Igino
Giordani, deputy, writer, pioneer of ecumenism, and father of 4 children.
Giordani, the first married focolarino, would be declared Servant of God
in 2004.
1949
Beginning in the summer of 1949, Chiara deepened her
understanding of the characteristics of the nascent Focolare Movement
and glimpsed the design of a coexistence, the Mariapolis, a city founded
on the Gospel, which in turn would animate the rise of many little towns
– the Focolare's permanent centers of witness and formation in the
culture of unity.
1960 The Movement, which had already started to spread beyond the
ocean, began to operate in Eastern Europe.
1961
In Darmstadt (Germany), she met some Lutheran pastors
attracted by her evangelical spirituality. This opened the ecumenical
venture that Chiara would go through with passion. In 1966, she was
received in London by the Primate of the Church of England Dr. Ramsey
and in 1967, she was called to Istanbul by the Orthodox Patriarch
Athenagoras I.
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
1977 In London, she received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion
which opened interreligious dialogue to the Movement. A period of fruitful
2015, March 13-14-15
relations with the great religions began: in 1981, Chiara was invited to Japan
to give her testimony to more than 10,000 members of the Buddhist
movement Rissho Kosei-kai. In 1997, she met in Bangkok the Supreme
Patriarch of Thai Buddhism; she talked to 3,000 African-American Muslims in
the mosque of the Muslim American Society of Harlem (New York); she
deepened dialogue with the Jewish world and the followers of other religions.
She was among those nominated as Honorary Presidents of the World
Conference of Religions for Peace. At the end of the 1970's, openness to
people without any religious belief had matured, with the deepening and
promotion of common human values.
1991 In Brazil, in response to the huge gap between the rich and the poor,
she launched the"Economy of Communion" project that will spread
throughout the world affecting entrepreneurs, businesses, and scholars in
economics.
1996 - 2007 In Naples, she founded the Movement of Politics and Policy
for Unity to contribute to regenerate political action, its foundations, and its
objectives. In Paris, she was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education."
At the UN Headquarters, she brought her thoughts on the unity of peoples.
She received from the Council of Europe the 1998 Human Rights Award. She
developed in the Catholic Church a season of dialogue among charismatic
realitites; thus "Together for Europe" was born, an initiative among more than
250 movements and communities of various Christian Churches. She
received 17 honorary citizenships and 16 honorary doctorates in five
continents. The last fruit of her charism: Sophia University Institute located in
Loppiano in the province of Florence.
2008
She spent the last months of her life confined at the Policlinico
Gemelli in Rome. There she received a personal letter from Pope Benedict XVI
and the visit of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. She died on
March 14 at her home in Rocca di Papa (Rome).
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
Movement of politics and policy for unity
Mppu
Who we are
The Mppu is a global laboratory of dialogue and political action open to
citizens, elected officials in the various levels of government, activists in
political parties and political movements, civil servants, young people
who are interested in the life of their city and world affairs, scholars of
politics or other disciplines.
Its action is inspired by the ideals of the Focolare Movement. It is associated with New Humanity, an international non-governmental organization that has consultative status at the General Economic and Social
Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and is an official partner of
UNESCO.
Advocacy
The Mppu wants to contribute to the improvement of politics, the
strengthening of its role in front of the crucial choices posed by history
and to contribute to the unity of peoples, by respecting their rich variety,
reciprocity and inter-independence.
Those who adhere to these, work to bring about a future of unity and
peace for the world. For this reason, they intend to make a contribution
to thought and action in order to renew culture and political praxis, based
on the principle of universal brotherhood.
Numerous positive dissensions indicate that, despite the many divergent
forces, the worldwide tension toward the unity of the human family is not
a utopia. The idea of universal brotherhood has been used several times
in history. What is new, for the Mppu, is its commitment to make it: a
political approach; a measure for attaing political, economic, social, environmental, and educational quality; a goal of international politics.
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
Movement of politics and policy for unity
Mppu
2015, March 13-14-15
Method
Our first choice is to give room for dialogue between different positions
and realities which are often divergent, in order to develop a "politics of
communion." It asks, first of all, for mutual listening and respect, competent and constructive debate, so as to develop a new creativity and intelligence in relationships and produce thought and common actions, in the
spheres of political decisions as in the processes of implementation and
evaluation.
The Mppu operates as a network: its nodes are the different local and
national centers and an international coordination center. An essential
component of its method is to seek collaboration with other associations,
organizations, and institutions that work for the same goals.
With the youth
The youth are entrusted with a specific responsibility on account of their
capacity for innovation and experimentation that is typically theirs.
They are the protagonists in all the activities of the Mppu and to them is
dedicated an international network of schools of social and political participation and formation, aimed at both those who are already committed
members and those young people in disadvantaged areas with low education, so that they may become subjects of the development of their city and
their country.
International Secretariat:Via Piave, 15 - 00046 Grottaferrata (Rome) - Italy
Tel +39-06945407210 - Fax +39-069412080
[email protected] - http://www.mppu.org
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT SOME INFORMATION
The Focolare Movement
was born and developed on the
basis of an ideal: unity. Unity among persons of different language,
ethnicity, religion, culture, age, social or political position. Unity among
groups, associations, cities and peoples in the richness of mutual
relations. Its specific purpose is to help realize the prayer of Jesus to the
Father: "That all may be one" (Jn 17:21); to realize universal
brotherhood.
Commitment: The Focolare Movement is committed to working
towards an ever greater unity within the Catholic Church; to establish
relationships of fraternal communion and common witness with
Christians of other Churches; to seek dialogue with people of other
religions and deepest possible union in God; to work with people
without religious convictions and in various areas of society and
culture.
Origin: Trent, 1943. Faced with the destruction of World War II, Chiara
Lubich realized that only God, who is Love, gives meaning to human
existence. She shared this discovery and others followed her; a
community was formed which in a few years extended to people of any
age, condition, and belief in the five continents.
Diffusion: today the Focolare Movement is present in 194 countries
throughout the world, with permanent centers in 80 countries. There are
120,000 members and about a million and a half adherents and
sympathizers. In addition, through various initiatives, it is estimated that
about a million people are reached regularly.
In addition to Catholic Christians, about 25,000 Christians belonging to
350 Churches and ecclesial communities are part of the Focolare
Movement. More than 7,000 followers of the great religions and
10,000 people with no religious convictions or cultures share in
various ways the spirituality and goals of the Movement.
Government: at the head of the Movement there is the President (a
woman by statute), assisted by the Co-President and the General
Council, with a six-year term that can be renewed only once. The current
president is Maria Voce and the co-president is Jesus Moran. The
General Statutes are approved by the Catholic Church.
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
Some structures for formatation, witness and research
- 24 “little towns” around the world, with homes, schools, work activities, and
places of prayer.
- Schools of formation for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and social issues.
- Abbà School, is a research center composed
of professors
2015, March
13-14-15 and experts in various
disciplines, to explore and elaborate the doctrinal implications of the charism of
unity.
- Sophia University Institute, is an education center for academic, interdisciplinary,
and intercultural research located at the international “little town” of Loppiano (Incisa
Valdarno-Florence) (www.iu-sophia.org).
- Economy of Communion, inspires the current economic management of more than
860 businesses and promotes an economic culture geared towards communion and
fraternity. To date, such economic model has been studied in more than 300 theses
and doctoral dissertations in 28 countries (www.edc-online.org).
- Movement of Politics and Policy for Unity, is a laboratory of reflection and political
praxis among politicians of different parties, diplomats, public servants, scholars,
and active citizens. Its projects include the schools of participation and active
citizenship for young people (www.mppu.org).
-International networks of scholars, professionals, students and practitioners of
architecture, art, communications, law, ecology, medicine, pedagogy, psychology,
sociology, sport.
-New Humanity, 1st level non-governmental organization recognized by ECOSOC
(Economic and Social Council of the UN), UNESCO's partner for peace education
(www.new-humanity.org).
Initiatives to promote international solidarity
More than 1,000 social projects and activities in various countries of the world.
Approximately 60 projects to support international cooperation and development
promoted by “Action for a United World” (AMU, www.amu-it.eu) and other
non-governmental organizations in 45 countries.
99 projects in 49countries and approximately 15,000 supportive initiatives of
“Distance Support” promoted by “AFN onlus” (www.famiglienuove.org).
Some publishing activities
“New City”: 25 publishing houses in the world and the Opinion Magazine with 37
editions in 23 languages.
“New Humanity”, a bimonthly magazine on cultue, in Italian and English.
“Gen’s” and “Unity and Charisms”, bimonthly magazines on ecclesial life, with 15
editions in 8 languages.
Official international website (www.focolare.org), in 7 languages, with 27 channels
in social networks.
For more information:
Focolare Information Service, Focolare Movement International Center
via Frascati 306 – 00040 Rocca di Papa (Rome)
tel. +39 06 947989 – [email protected] - www.focolare.org
Politics for unity
making a
WORLD
of difference
2015, March 13-14-15
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
For further information,
participate in, or support our projects:
[email protected]
www.new-humanity.org
Headquarters:
Via Valle della Noce, 16/6
00046 Grottaferrata (Roma) - Italia
Tel +39 06 94315635
Fax +39 06 9410972
FOR A UNITED WORLD
Delegations:
UN New York
[email protected]
UN Geneva
[email protected]
UNESCO Paris
[email protected]
This project has been funded with support
from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only
of the author, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be made
of the information contained therein.
NGO in General Consultative Status
with the United Nations
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
UNESCO official partner NGO
Politics for unity
2015, March 13-14-15
making a
WORLD
of difference
“Chiara Lubich: Unity and politics”
Multi-sided international event
T
o this end
it carries out, through
a strong volunteer base
and active youth
involvement, cultural
activities, social and
educational projects,
economic initiatives,
combining a local
dimension with an
international one.
N
ew Humanity is an
international NGO active
As such, it is open to
the contributions of all
and collaborates with
individuals, institutions,
representatives of the
religions and diverse
cultures of the world
towards common goals.
in over 100 countries
worldwide.
It aims to contribute to
the creation of unity in
the human family, fully
respecting the individual
identities of all of its
members.
For this reason it spreads
the idea of a united world
and promotes, in all
spheres of society and
at all levels, universal
fraternity as proclaimed
by the Universal
Declaration of Human
Rights, as a dynamic
factor in social cohesion.
www.new-humanity.org
2015, March 13-14-15
S
ince 1987 it has
granted the ECOSOC/UN
Special Consultative
Status, and since 2005
the General Consultative
Status. Since 2008 it is
recognised as official
partner of UNESCO.
I
n collaboration with
other associated NGOs
and with experts in
cultural and social
matters, New Humanity
takes part in specific
activities of ECOSOC,
Human Rights Council,
and UNESCO, through
the presentation of
documents, experiences
and projects in the field.
It participates in
European Commission
programmes, particularly
in the youth area.
I
ts principles and
initiatives draw on the
values of the Focolare
Movement, founded by
Chiara Lubich, Unesco
Prizewinner in 1996 for
peace education and
Council of Europe
Prizewinner in 1998 for
human rights.
Its principal fields
of action are
> HUMAN AND SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT:
the economies
of solidarity
and of communion
the environment
health
education
sport
communication
cultural and
interreligious dialogue
> HUMAN RIGHTS:
Right to development
Human rights
and international
solidarity
Right to education
> PROMOTION OF THE
CULTURE OF PEACE
> YOUTH