VATICAN - Development, Progress and Common Good

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Development, Progress and Common Good are the three key words that form the title for the International Conference sponsored by the Scientific Committee of “Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice,” which will take place in Rome on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
“In the current crisis, the concept of economic development is profoundly challenged,” said Dominfo Sugranyes Bickel, President of the “Fondazione Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice,” in presenting the event. “The large emerging countries are changing the geo-political and economic situation, the welfare of millions more people, the accelerated consumption of raw materials, global financial imbalances between countries with surplus exports that finance the huge U.S. debt, are all new realities of world economic development, while in rich Western countries there is confusion, unemployment, lack of outlets for young people. The same excesses of 'financialization' which triggered the current 'crisis' are but symptoms of an inhumane economy. Faced with these realities, in part new, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity are primary motors ever present in economic life, but still not enough: economic activity, the Holy Father says in Caritas in Veritate, can be and is in part a place where solidarity is expressed and human relations of collaboration are established. It's all about promoting business and economic activities based on these motivations and – this is subsidiarity - little by little, from the base, allowing true economic development to emerge." The conference will include three basic reports and a round table of speakers including university professors and businessmen who will discuss religions, dialogue, and social development. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 05/20/2010)