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Porto Alegre (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical University of Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre (Brazil) will be hosting the Latin American and Caribbean “Mutirão” of Communications, with the theme: “Communication Processes and a Culture of Solidarity.” The “Mutirão” is a communications gathering in which participants share their experience and knowledge for mutual and global enrichment. The goal is to have these experiences lead to a communications dialogue among Brazilian, Latin American, and Caribbean peoples, towards a more just, free, and pacific society. The event is being organized by the Brazilian Bishops' Conference (CNBB), the Latin American and Caribbean Communications Organization (OCLACC), and the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops' Council (CELAM).
According to a report sent to Agenzia Fides from Asunta Montoya, from the CNBB Press Team, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli (President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications) has confirmed his attendance at the event. In a letter to Archbishop Dadeus Grings of Porto Alegre, President of the Mutirão of Communications, Archbishop Celli mentioned that the Mutirão will “undoubtedly open new horizons to ecclesial communications on the continent.” The Archbishop will give two addresses, one on the 12th in the Opening Ceremony, on the central theme of the encounter (“ Communication Processes and a Culture of Solidarity”) and on the 13th, on a special topic yet to be announced, after which he will give a press conference. The Pontifical Council will also present new projects at the service of pastoral activity in the area of communications throughout the Church, such as the network “Red Informática de la Iglesia en América Latina (RIIAL).”
The Mutirão of Communications is organized in three main themes: new political-social scenes and processes of communication, economy and communication in the digital era, and communications in dialogue with cultures. The objective is to promote dialogue on communications, at the light of a culture of solidarity, in order to establish a society of justice, freedom, and peace.
The event hopes to unite over 3,000 people working in communications, including Bishops, priests, religious, professionals, students, professors, researchers, pastoral agents of communication, and the general public, and will feature presentations from renowned experts in communications.
At the close of the event, the organizers will present the “Porto Alegre Letter,” with proposals for projects and how to establish communications processes that promote a culture of solidarity and a society of justice, freedom, and peace. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2009)
