“The last perspective for Christians is not security but salvation,” said the national president of the ACLI, forcefully, Emiliano Manfredoniain the report of the final day of 56th National Meeting of ACLI Studies in Florence. «Safety, built by man, risks becoming closure and conflict; Salvation, on the other hand, is a gift, is built day by day in justice, for forgiveness, in mutual care. This is the gaze that serves today, in addition to fears, to restore democracy ». A call that also touched international topicality: “The same fear, translated into political action, only provides only the opportunity to demonize an act with a high prophetic value such as that of FlotillaInstead of trying to recognize its value and offer mediation, as the Cardinal Zuppi and Pizzaballa and President Mattarella did ». In his words also a warning on the global race to rearmo: «Defending peace with war is a paradox that gives debts and insecurity to the new generations. Peace, on the other hand, is fullness of life and requires policies of social justice, dignified work and international cooperation ». And he added: “We start from peace to keep peace and do policies suitable for this, we do not start from the war, from the weapons, justifying ourselves with the idea of building peace at a later time”
A meeting that starts from Europe
The journey had opened on September 25 with the institutional greetings of the mayor Sara Funaro and the contributions of Maurizio Ferrera, Maurizio Ambrosini, Juan Fernando López Aguilar And Anna Diamantopoulouwho underlined the risks of new inequalities and sovereign drifts. “Democracy – recalled the national vice -president, Raffaella Dispance – It is not only a system of rules, but a fabric of relationships that requires care and responsibility. We are experiencing an era of fault, a vintage change that questioned the very promise of democracy “. Faced with environmental, social and geopolitical crises, the Disponue invited to counter the “society of anguish” with a “society of hope”, building new practices of participation, proximity, community, capable of regenerating politics.
The march for peace
The second day of the study meeting, on Friday 26 September Florence, turned into a large peace site. Hundreds of people participated in the Path of spirituality which led to the abbey of San Miniato al Monte, unrolling the Flag of the longest peace in the worlda powerful sign of dialogue and hope. “Peace is not an abstract concept, but it is practiced every day, with responsibility, care and attention” said Father Bernardo Gianniabbot of San Miniato. “There are no right wars, all wars are dirty,” added the imam Izzedin Elzirrelaunching from Florence the need for “a new humanism, where the other is not an enemy but brother”. At their side the message of the chief rabbi of Florence was also resonated, Gadi Piperno: «Democracy fails when the open discussion turns into definitive and intolerant positions. Only culture and free expression of opinions can contrast manipulations and fake news. A leader must be able to listen to the people, but also take responsibility for decisions: it is precisely the balance between these two dimensions that is essential to create peace paths “.
The unpublished research on young people and political participation: not apathetic but protagonists
During the third day the research was presented “Neither inside, nor against?” Made by Iref-ACli: an investigation that dismantles the myth of apathetic young people. The Under35 generation appears in fact critical and generative, not “anti-media”, but capable of exercising selective trust. The commitment arises from an early socialization, especially in the family and school, and is consolidated through concrete spaces: associations, online activism, volunteering and direct actions. Work precariousness, far from producing disinterest, often becomes an activating factor: those who have experienced the work “in black” shows higher rates of political and social participation.
A pact between generations
The young people were also the protagonists of the signature of the Pact between generationspromoted by ACLI with Action AID, Agesci, Arci, Catholic Action and Focolare. A recipe to support the Under35 participation that is based on two pillars: on the one hand the creation of free and accessible spaces, on the other a new civic education, capable of starting from the school and associations to nourish trust, responsibility and future.
Florence, democracy laboratory
Three dense days that have intertwined politics, culture, spirituality and social commitment, marking a red thread: Democracy lives only if participated. And from Florence, the city of La Pira and great visions, a European appeal starts: to overcome fears and divisions, invest in peace, social justice and young people. “The ACLI want to be an open courtyard – concluded Manfredonia – because hope does not disappoint: the change begins with us, but does not end with us”.
All photos of this service are by Elena Galimberti
