News

The “Future of Fraternity – Voices on the Future” initiative, which is part of ASviS’ broader efforts to raise public and institutional awareness of the urgency of adopting policies geared toward sustainable development in line with the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, was a moment of collective reflection on the role of fraternity as a foundation for building a more equitable and sustainable future and a guiding principle for positive and lasting change.

During the meeting, which featured speakers Father Francesco Occhetta, Secretary General of the Fratelli tutti Foundation, and Dr. Enrico Giovannini, scientific director of ASviS, the need for a choral commitment to address global challenges was shared and fraternity, starting with the meaning it takes on in the current context, was identified as an engine for social and cultural change. Indeed, it emerged how fraternity can be an effective response to contemporary crises, promoting solidarity, inclusion and cooperation. The speakers stressed the importance of building relationships based on trust and mutual respect, which are fundamental for the sustainable progress of communities.

Father Occhetta also recounted how the Fratelli tutti Foundation is working towards this end by promoting three major projects and initiatives. First and foremost is the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, which has already been held in the previous two years and will be repeated next September 12 and 13, with the aim of understanding what the principle of fraternity can implement in terms of reforms, by what metrics to measure it, and understanding what makes us human today.

He also took the opportunity to recall the “Vocabulary of Fraternity,” a book promoted by the Foundation that involved 365 people of different ages, professions, cultures and faiths, who were asked to choose and explain one word each with the intention of creating a new language that can rewrite the meaning of values such as humanity and, indeed, fraternity.

Father Occhetta also emphasized the recently signed agreement between the Foundation and the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), aimed at promoting a culture of collaboration and integration among all public actors, especially municipalities, to build a network inspired by the principle of fraternity. The aim is to encourage the creation of local working tables involving the various social players in the area, including associations representing citizens and the third sector, in order to carry out concrete actions for the common good. This is a significant step toward building a more inclusive and supportive society, in which fraternity becomes a central element of public policies. He also highlighted the importance of involving young people in this process, recognizing the pedagogical and civic value of the commitment required by the role of municipal administrator and promoting the exercise of active and responsible citizenship as a tool for political education and social responsibility toward others.

To learn more about the topics covered and hear testimonies from participants, you can view the full video of the event on ANSA’s official channel: Click here (in Italian)