THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD
The MEDITERRANEAN FOUNDATION, since its creation in 1990 immediately after the fall of the Berlin Wall, has taken as one of its main objectives the establishment of the "UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD": from an intuition of Gustavo Rol.
The activities carried out over the last three decades by the Foundation - particularly in the area of the "Greater Mediterranean" - bear witness to a constant and concrete action that, precisely in these difficult times of war and pandemic, is an anchor of salvation to strengthen the spirit of peace and cooperation between peoples.
The adhesions of men and women, organisations and institutions from various countries contribute to supporting the institutional initiative by pursuing concrete objectives and effective means for the defence of the planet, respect for the fundamental rights of the human person, the coexistence of philosophies, faiths and religions, the fair distribution of goods and resources, the union of science and politics for the salvation of humanity and against all wars.
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02 August 2023
A delegation from various countries of the United States of the World with thousands of young people "Standard Bearers of the United States of the World" participated in the XXXVIIth WORLD YOUTH DAY scheduled to take place in Lisbon from 2 to 6 August 2023.
Secretary-General Michele Capasso recalled the importance of this meeting at this difficult time in human history and Portugal's role in the dialogue and peace process.
"It is a moment that I live with joy - Capasso said - because of the presence of so many friends who have shared the path of the Fondazione Mediterraneo and the United States of the World from the very beginning: from the Rector Major of the Salesians Angel Fernandes Artime to the Ambassador of Italy in Lisbon Carlo Formosa, from Don Luigi Ciotti to the Presidents of the Republic of Portugal visiting the headquarters in Naples, from the many actors committed to charity to the young people from various countries who are defenders of the EARTH and PEACE.
"The presence of the Holy Father is fundamental, catalytic, - concluded SG Capasso - since his arrival at the Figo Maduro Air Base in Lisbon, the Holy Father Francis has been welcomed by the President of the Republic of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and two children in traditional dress offered him flowers. From here an endless series of meetings and appointments that will leave a mark in history".
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29 July 2023
The United States of the World with the Fondazione Mediterraneo and the Academy of the Mediterranean commemorated founding member Father Paolo Dall'Oglio on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his abduction in Raqqa on 29 July 2013.
Founder of the monastic community of Deir Mar Musa, Father Paolo is a tireless witness to peace and dialogue between the different religious denominations in Syria.
"Ten years have passed since his kidnapping, - said Secretary-General Michele Capasso, a close friend of Father Paolo, - and so many are the memories and actions that have marked years of collaboration for dialogue and peace. I am still moved today remembering when, in order to convince Muslims and Catholics to dialogue at a difficult time of clashes and controversies, I disguised myself as Father Christmas to defuse the tension: Paolo understood and, with a complicit look, urged me to continue. Paolo did not like to tell himself stories, and when we awarded him the Mediterranean Award he hugged us tightly, saying that this recognition was for the entire monastic community and not for him".
On this occasion, the message of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella was read out:
"Ten years have passed since the kidnapping in Syria of Father Paolo Dall'Oglio. Since then, no news has been able to refresh the hope of his survival. On this day that renews the pain and, with it, the memory of a generous man who gave all of himself to solidarity, dialogue, and helping those most in need, I wish to express my deepest feelings of closeness to his family and to those who share with them the agony of waiting.
Paolo Dall'Oglio, a witness and builder of peace, has ensured that his religious faith has never been expressed as a reason for conflict. His life has always been an unceasing drive to seek sharing, encounter, justice, unity, in the name of the person, of every person, of his integrity, of his inviolable dignity. He has challenged prejudices and regimes, lived with the poorest, courageously travelled the deserts and territories of conflict, hatred, oppression, to bring hope and humanity.
However helpless they may appear, peace witnesses are protagonists of history. The memory of their presence and their passage must be kept alive, even more so at a time when the wounds of war are bloodying the Middle East and our Europe"
Videos, documents and images of meetings with Father Paul from 1998 to the last one in 2013 were shown.
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