The thread of culture” “

“World Youth Day: a cultural event for the 3rd millennium”: that was the motto of University Day, celebrated by the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in recent days, in collaboration with the office for university ministry of the Vicariate of the diocese. Some 90 days before the opening of WYD in Cologne, University Day was an occasion to tighten the bonds of friendship that already exist between “La Sapienza” and the University of Cologne and to present the appeal of the university students of Rome for WYD. THE ROUTE FROM ROME TO COLOGNE. “Our youngsters – said the Rector of the Roman university, RENATO GUARINI – have gone further than us: they have opened up, through the Erasmus programmes, a channel of communication, a route between Rome and Cologne: now this route is also being inaugurated at the institutional level. On the basis of common values, a lasting and fruitful dialogue can be developed”. The universities, in fact, “must play an active role in the promotion of the values of solidarity, peace and friendship between peoples – the same values reaffirmed through World Youth Day – by favouring the meeting between youth of different nationalities. In spite of the geographic distance between us and our belonging to different cultures and language areas, our universities have much in common: the tradition of independence – the University of Cologne is one of the rare examples of a university founded at the wish of its citizens – and the prestige of a long history: that of Cologne, founded in 1388, is only slightly younger than that of Rome”. The character of local roots combined with a strong European projection is also important: “It was Konrad Adenauer, one of the fathers of modern Germany and of the idea of a united Europe, who re-founded the University of Cologne in a modern key when he was Mayor of the city in 1919”. HUMILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. “The seal of the University of Cologne – explained its Pro-Rector TASSILO KÜPPER – bears an image of the Adoration of the Magi on one side: for a scientific institution, it is an important symbol of the necessary humility in the scientific approach that is based on continuous research and that has constant need for guidance”. Moreover, “the city of Cologne – continued Küpper –, due to its dominant position in the valley of the Rhine, has been a crossroads of nationalities ever since the time of the Roman colony 2000 years ago: for this reason the University too is open at the international level and cultivates relations with every part of the world. Familiarity with other cultures, the acceptance of diversity, and knowledge based on one’s own original points of view, are important factors in a world in which geographic differences have been wiped out”. Placing the emphasis on the perception of one’s own responsibility for the future and focusing on the values the young need for their guidance, were, according to Küpper, “the main desires that inspired John Paul II to create World Youth Day. Through active participation in research and through the formation of the young generations and their preparation to assume tasks of responsibility, the Universities are directly involved in the task of defining the standards for responsible action”. SCIENCE AND FAITH. “We are increasingly asked – declare the university students of Rome in their appeal for WYD in Cologne – to continuously put into practice the synthesis between reason and faith: let us not make reason say more that it can say, nor make God say more than what he wished to tell us. But let us also beware of making reason and faith seem as if they were contradictory. God predestined the whole of creation in favour of man. He gave us reason and faith. He gave us His love”. “Being university students in Rome today, as in Europe and in the world – continues the message – thus becomes a vocation and a service. It is the service to growth and to the promotion of every man and every woman who comes into existence. Rome, Europe and the world have a need for workers of intellectual charity, capable of contributing actively to a future of peace, development and respect for human rights”. “We – declare the university students of Rome – love life. That’s why we shall always take to the road anew, with the faith of those who seek and know how to find (or hope to find!). In this perspective, “journeying to Cologne means nourishing a passion for culture that is not just erudition or profession, but love for wisdom, passion in the search for truth, a taste for research and a yearning to discover the real meaning of existence, and to learn how to live”.