EUROPE/ITALY - 2nd Day of Inter-dependence: individuals, peoples, and nations for a more united world. “Dialogue in diversity is possible” says Lucia Fronza a member of the Focolari Movement

Rome (Fides Service) - The 2nd edition of the Day of Interdependence, an initiative of Benjamin Barber professor Maryland University USA, will be held this year in Rome on 11 and 12 September with a day of interreligious dialogue and an international meeting at Rome’s auditorium. The event is organised by Rome City Council, Civ World, ACLI, the Sant’Egidio Community, Legambiente and the movement for unity the Focolari. Last year the day was held on 12 September in Philadelphia.
In the face of a possible clash of civilisations, as it was seen by the recent tragedy in Beslan as well as the 9/11/2001 disaster, the idea of positive inter-dependence is understood as a key to face the great challenge of “co-existence” in the post global society.
The meaning of the initiative, which was first thought of to mark the anniversary of the Twin Tower tragedy, is to help the world grow towards a culture of peace, dialogue, solidarity and universal brotherhood .
At a press conference on 9 September, the mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni said. “The fact that this Day is being held in Rome underlines the vocation to dialogue which this city carries in its heart”.
“Today inter-dependence is a fact” Benjamin Barber explained. “We live in a world which is already inter-dependent although often in a bad way. Today in Rome we want to tell everyone that it is possible to build a new inter-dependence and remove all the barriers, which separate people. Today it is more than ever necessary to find new forms of constructive inter-dependence”.
“We members of ACLI” said Luigi Bobba, ACLI, “are here to say that the path of inter-dependence is the necessary alternative to the path of fear. It is the path along which people come to realise that we all have the same destiny”. Mario Giro, of the Sant’Egidio Community, mentioned the interreligious meeting held a few days ago in Milan with leaders of many different religions was an example of dialogue in diversity and this is why the Community decided to take part in this Day of Interdependence in Rome, because no one must be resigned to terrorism and violence.
Lastly the president of Legambiente Roberto della Seta, said the Day is an attempt to change from “unilateralist” vision to an interdependent vision of the world and the president of the Movement for Unity (Focolari) Lucia Fronza, recalled that aim of the Day remember the victims of 9/11/2003 and promote dialogue among politicians and that the promoters of the event show in their own unity that dialogue in diversity is possible.
(P.L.R.) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2004 - Righe 34; Parole 452)