杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The Forum of the European House-Ambrosetti is an annual event that brings together Heads of State and government, representatives of European institutions and business leaders to discuss issues of major importance for the economy and society.

This 46^th edition, which takes place in Northern Italy from 4-5 September, has as its theme, 鈥淚ntelligence on the World鈥�, Europe and Italy.

In a message to participants, 杏MAP导航 Francis notes that this year鈥檚 Forum deals with significant issues involving society, the economy and innovation 鈥渢hat call for extraordinary efforts to meet the challenges created or aggravated by the present medical, economic and social emergency.鈥�

The experience of the pandemic, the 杏MAP导航 writes, 鈥渉as taught us that none of us is saved alone. We have experienced at first hand the vulnerability of the human condition that is ours and that makes us one family.鈥�  

He points out that, 鈥淗aving failed to show solidarity in wealth and in the sharing of resources, we have learned to experience solidarity in suffering.鈥�

Challenges of the pandemic

In cultural terms, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlights that 鈥渢his time of trial has taught us a number of lessons.鈥�  While showing the world the greatness of science, it has also laid bare its limits, he says.

鈥淚t has called into question the scale of values that sets money and power over all else.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 goes on to say that the pandemic 鈥渉as made us refrain from the superfluous and concentrate on the essential.鈥�

鈥淚n the face of a future that appears uncertain and full of challenges, especially on the social and economic level, we have been moved to spend this time discerning what is lasting from what is fleeting, what is necessary from what is not,鈥� says 杏MAP导航 Francis

Economy

In the situation in which the world is living, the 杏MAP导航 stresses that 鈥渆conomics in its deepest human meaning as the governance of our earthly home takes on even greater importance.鈥�

Economics, he explains, ought to become 鈥渢he expression of a care and concern that does not exclude but seeks to include, that does not demean but seeks to uplift and give life.鈥� 

At a time, the 杏MAP导航 says, when 鈥渟cience and technology have, of themselves, proved insufficient鈥� What has proved decisive instead, is the outpouring of generosity and courage shown by so many persons.鈥�

What is needed now, 杏MAP导航 Francis underlines, is a new way of thinking, 鈥渙ne that can broaden our gaze and guide technology towards the service of a different model of development, more healthy, more human, more social and more integral.鈥�

Discernment

The present, the 杏MAP导航 writes, 鈥渋s a time for discernment in light of the principles of ethics and the common good, for the sake of the recovery desired by all鈥�  Christ urged all who heard Him, and ourselves today, not to stop at externals, but to discern sagely the signs of the times. To do so, two things are demanded, conversion and creativity.鈥�

An ecological conversion, he adds, is required to 鈥渞econnect with the world around us.  

鈥淲e are also called to be creative, like artisans, devising fresh new ways to pursue the common good.鈥�  There needs to be the creativity of love, the 杏MAP导航 emphasizes, that inspires bold decisions and 鈥渃an restore meaning to the present, in order to open it to a better future.鈥�

The next generation

In his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis underlines the importance of investing in young people, which is why -he says - he has invited them to meet from 19-21 November in Assisi, the town of the young Saint Francis.

They are the next generation of economists and entrepreneurs who will be the protagonists of tomorrow's economy, 鈥減repared to put themselves at the service of the community and the creation of a culture of encounter,鈥� says the 杏MAP导航.

The future of Europe

Seventy years have passed since the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, which paved the way for today鈥檚 European Union. 

Noting that significant date, and the Forum鈥檚 work on a development agenda for Europe, the 杏MAP导航 comments that 鈥淓urope is called to show leadership in a creative effort.鈥�

That creative effort, he stresses, is one of solidarity which is the 鈥渁ntidote to the virus of selfishness, a virus far more potent than Covid-19.鈥�

The human person, says the 杏MAP导航 must take centre stage and be at the heart of 鈥渙ur educational, healthcare, social and economic policies. Persons must be welcomed, protected, accompanied and integrated when they come knocking on our doors, seeking a future of hope.鈥�

Concluding his message, 杏MAP导航 Francis expresses the hope that the Forum鈥檚 discussions will prove fruitful. He also urges participants 鈥渢o strive to develop new understandings of the economy and progress, to combat every form of marginalization, to propose new styles of life and to give a voice to those who have none.鈥�