Germany: for an integrated and happy society On October 17 Msgr. Ludwig Schick, archbishop of Bamberg in Bavaria, called for granting social integration a primary role. “Only an integrated society will lead to an integrally good and happy society that is worth living”, he claimed during the presentation of a book devoted to the project “Integra Mensch”, upholding the integration of the disabled in the working environment. “A society marked by divides and selective criteria… fails to develop its potentials and is likely to explode”, he declared. “Today Germany is witnessing more disintegration than integration. We must upturn the situation together”, Msgr. Schick declared. Integration encompasses “different working modalities and areas”. Thus, it includes “the integration of foreigners, of asylum seekers, of the unemployed, of subsidy recipients, of ex-detainees, of the mentally ill, and senior citizens”. Efforts made in the field of integration have delivered positive results, since “they promote mutual knowledge, acceptance, equality and tolerance”. These elements contribute to the development of a “happy and integral society”, the archbishop pointed out. The integration of the disabled in particular, reveals the extent of social integration. To this regard, Msgr. Schick praised the regional project “Integra Mensch”, and called for the commitment of all stakeholders, since, he recalled, “labeling and divides ought to be wiped out to the benefit of integration and for a positive future”. Austria: the youth and intercultural dialogue “72 hours without compromises”: it’s the large-scale social campaign addressed to all Austrian youth that was launched on October 22. This year’s initiative, that reached its fourth edition, envisages the implementation of 403 projects in the area of social services, with the participation of some 5000 Austrian youth. “In this way”, underlined the President of Austria’s Caritas Franz Küberl during the campaign’s presentation, “the youth will convey the mark of conviviality to Austria”, taking a stand “against social muteness and the lack of thought”. This year’s event focuses upon intercultural dialogue. Indeed, a number of projects will be implemented in Hungary, South Tyrol and in the Czech Republic. The projects are devoted to the erection of memorials for the victims of Nazi crimes, to the organization of intercultural festivals, and to the restoration of Vienna’s Jewish cemetery. The campaign is directly supported by Austria’s Bishops’ Conference. “The commitment of the youth is an ongoing source of inspiration for the bishops”, claimed Msgr. Franz Lackner, chairman of the Commission for pastoral youth. “The youth”, he added, “set the example of the so-called ‘vigilance of the heart’ that is crucial to society”. “The youth who willingly commit themselves for a good cause are the conveyors of hope for Austria. They put themselves to the service of a just cause, committing themselves without compromises and live in the spirit of love for their neighbor”. The importance of the time for acting was pointed out by Peter Gebauer, President of Austrian Catholic Youth (KJ): “These are not occasional moments to devote to social issues, since long-lasting networks are established that ensure the contribution of the youth even after the campaign has ended”. “The specificity of this year’s action”, he explained, “is the fact that along with the major projects devoted to intercultural dialogue and the importance devoted to memory, for the first time, the event was attended by school pupils”. Poland: a photo exhibition on Benedict XVI “Benedict XVI in the lens of the photo-reports of Czestochowa, Altötting, Mariazell and Loreto”. This is the title of the international photo exhibit held at the Pilgrimage Museum in Czestochowa. On display are the pictures taken by reporters during the Pope’s visit to these Marian sanctuaries. The fotoreporter of Czestochowa Zbigniew Burda is the curator of the exhibition, organized under the auspices of the Mayor of Czestochowa Tadeusz Wrona. “The exhibition was conceived in 2006, during the apostolic visit of Benedict XVI to the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra”, Burda told news agency Fides, “I hope it will be presented in other European countries, since not only does it portray Benedict XVI in his pilgrimages, it also illustrates Europe’s great Christian cultural heritage”.
