Vatican promotes reflection on efforts for a global ceasefire
On 23 March, the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development (DSSUI) and the Vatican COVID-19 Commission will host a webinar on “Advancing integral disarmament in times of pandemic” in cooperation with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP) at SOAS University of London.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) and the Vatican COVID-19 Commission, in cooperation with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP) at SOAS University of London, will host a webinar on “Advancing integral disarmament in times of pandemic” on 23 March.
The goal is to reflect upon the efforts to promote a global ceasefire, stop weapons production and proliferation, and back the appeals by the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and Pope Francis.
In a statement, the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development announced that various religious representatives and researchers will take part in the event, which “will offer the international community and religious leaders concrete options to follow the path of integral disarmament, in response to the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
“The webinar, which will be developed entirely in English, will consist of three sessions. The first session will be dedicated to institutional introductions. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy Father; Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; and Prof. Dan Plesch, Director of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London, will intervene.
“The second session will address international law and concrete methods to pursue disarmament. Members of the disarmament community will share their expertise, with closing remarks from H.E. Msgr. Ivan Jurkovič, Permanent Observer, Holy See Mission to the UN in Geneva.
“The third session will highlight the vital role ecumenical and interreligious dialogue can play. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Cardinal Miguel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, along with representatives of Christian denominations and other religions will take part in the session. Card. Silvano Maria Tomasi, Special Delegate for the Sovereign Order of Malta, will also give his contribution.
“Closing remarks will be given by Msgr. Bruno Marie Duffé, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The sessions will be moderated by Dr. Alessio Pecorario, Coordinator of the Security Taskforce of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission.”
The event is organised with the support of the institutions of the Roman Curia, including the Pontifical Councils for Interreligious Dialogue and for the Promotion of Christian Unity, with the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
The initiative is backed by Pax Christi International, the Catholic Peacebuilding Network, Catholic University of America Institute for Policy Research, and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University.
This webinar will be streamed live on the DSSUI YouTube channel Vatican IHD.
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13/05/2021 10:04
