Pope to Davos Forum: aim for an integral ecology with the human person at the center

Francis' message to the World Economic Forum. "We are all members of one human family", from which derives "the moral obligation to take care of each other", as well as the principle "to place the human person and not the search for power or profit, at the center of politics ".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The importance of aiming for an "integral ecology" that takes full account of "the complexity and the complexity and interconnectedness of our common home" and the "responsibilities" that weigh on leaders in politics and economics is well established by Pope Francis in a message to Klaus Schwab, executive president of the "World Economic Forum" (WEF), in Davos.

The document that will be delivered by Card. Peter Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for integral human development, argues that the theme chosen this year - Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World - " the need for a greater engagement at all levels in order to address more effectively the diverse issues facing humanity. Throughout the past five decades, we have witnessed geopolitical transformations and significant changes, from the economy and labour markets to digital technology and the environment. Many of these developments have benefited humanity, while others have had negative effects. "

And if the last fifty years have seen great changes, it should not be forgotten that "we are all members of a one human family", from which derives "the moral obligation to take care of each other", as well as the principle "of placing the human person, rather than the mere pursuit of power or profit, at the very centre of public policy”.

This "duty - writes the Pope - is incumbent upon business sectors and governments alike, and is indispensable in the search for equitable solutions to the challenges we face ". Consequently, it is necessary to overcome " short-term technological or economic approaches and to give full consideration to the ethical dimension in seeking resolutions to present problems or proposing initiatives for the future".

Francis then recalls that “materialistic or utilitarian visions, sometimes hidden, sometimes celebrated, lead to practices and structures motivated largely, or even solely, by self-interest. This typically views others as a means to an end and entails a lack of solidarity and charity, which in turn gives rise to real injustice, whereas a truly integral human development can only flourish when all members of the human family are included in, and contribute to, pursuing the common good”.

As mentioned in the encyclical Laudato Si ', the goal is to achieve an integral ecology that takes full account of " the complexity and the complexity and interconnectedness of our common home." In this perspective, the Pope expresses the hope that the participants in the Forums " the high moral responsibility each of us has to seek the integral development of all our brothers and sisters, including those of future generations. May your deliberations lead to a growth in solidarity, especially with those most in need, who experience social and economic injustice and whose very existence is even threatened".