(ANS - Strasbourg) - To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical Pacem in Terris by Pope John XXIII, on 21 November Don Bosco International (DBI ) participated in a forum for reflection and analysis on the relevance today of the papal text.

The event was organized by the Forum of Catholic Non-Governmental Organizations Strasbourg and was intended to analyze in detail the scope of that encyclical on the theme of human rights and the role of regional institutions in peace building.

Participants were divided into two working groups which examined the issues of social inclusion of those living in poverty and the right to education. On the latter point, there was agreement on the importance of education for human rights and active citizenship. Particular attention was paid to No. 13 of the encyclical. “He has the natural right to share in the benefits of culture, and hence to receive a good general education, and a technical or professional training consistent with the degree of educational development in his own country. Furthermore, a system must be devised for affording gifted members of society the opportunity of engaging in more advanced studies, with a view to their occupying, as far as possible, positions of responsibility in society in keeping with their natural talent and acquired skill.”

Conscious of this, the Catholic NGOs present renewed their commitment to be present in the international debate on the subject of education, to emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to education.

It is worth noting that to commemorate the anniversary of the Encyclical DBI had previously attended the Celebrative Daysorganized in Rome by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (2-4 October2013).

Published 12/09/2013