Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Fides Service) - The first Latin American University Parliament organised 31 August - 2 September in Buenos Aires by the Catholic University of Argentina UCA as part of its ‘Programme to evangelise culture’ under the aegis of the archdiocese of Buenos Aires closed today after three days of intense work, study and reflection on major challenges in Latin America today. Ten, the topics selected: Latin America and international order; regional integration; democracy and participation; means of communication; promotion of the family basic community of society; political and social leadership; Latin America’s economic development; marginalisation and social exclusion in America Latina; drug trafficking and abuse”; promotion of youth.
The purpose was to reflect on common vital aspects of life in Latin America today in the light of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church. At the end of their activity modelled as in a real parliament with discussion, work in commissions and plenary assembly, the students were to draft a joint statement of conclusions and resolutions.
The singular iniziative which had the blessing and good wishes of Pope Benedict XVI expressed in a letter to the rector of UCA, Mgr. Alfredo Zecca, brought together about 200 students from different faculties: political science, law, business studies, science of education, psychology from 29 Catholic universities in 11 different countries: Argentina (14), Bolivia, Brazil (3), Colombia, Chile (3), Ecuador, Mexico (2), Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
“Latin American University Parliament Christian Citizens” is an iniziative of UCA’s ‘Programme to evangelise culture’, supported by the Fundar movement within the Catholic University of Argentina which invites other centres of study to build a common space for proposals. A space for dialogue and commitment where young Latin Americans particularly sensitive to social questions, may meet to discuss problems and identify solutions for concrete themes in the presentday social-political debate. At the same time it is a space for creating an ever more qualified human network and establishing dialogue betwene faith and culture. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2005 righe 28 parole 330)
