The thread of knowledge

A declaration of intent was signed in recent days at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan (Italy) between the Catholic University itself, the State University of International Relations in Moscow and the Sofia association (Idea of Russia Idea of Europe), the promoter of this project under the name “Ad fontes”. The signing ceremony came at the end of a series of international meetings, held under the name “Resurrexit, sicut dixit! The mission of the Church in contemporary society”. They were begun in Rome on 15 April. ITALY AND RUSSIA. The final conference, with the title “Christianity and Universities”, was held at the Catholic University in Milan. In her opening address, GIUSEPPINA CARDILLO AZZARO of the Sofia association (which for over a decade has worked to strengthen cultural relations between Italy and Russia with the aim of building a more united Europe) explained that “not only two universities, but Italy and Russia, Western Europe and Eastern Europe, Catholic Church and Orthodox Church, have came together” at these meetings. The next speaker, Russian Orthodox Archbishop INNOKENTY of Korsun (Primate of France, Switzerland and Italy), explained that “the theme of the meetings is very important. The two rectors, in reaching an agreement, have demonstrated they have grasped the importance of a close link between the development of the European continent and the diffusion and reinforcement of Christian values. The world confronts us with great challenges and Christians must respond to them united. I hope that in future these discussions will be more frequent. We need to dialogue together and assume our responsibilities both towards God and towards the European populations”. RECOVERING UNITY . Christianity and universities, a duality that would have given rise to not a few doubts till a few years ago, is now being forcibly re-proposed in the face of the challenges imposed by the international system. Both have the duty to educate the young generations, simultaneously expanding their reason and their heart, otherwise it will be impossible to construct the future on solid foundations and values”, observed LORENZO ORNAGHI , Rector of the Catholic University. But how can we educate effectively? “Through an inter-generational chain that is able to transmit the knowledge in the possession of the more mature students to the younger ones”. In this regard the agreement with Russia fostered by Ornaghi will help. “The importance of cooperation with the University of Moscow consists precisely in the effort to create an integral education of the new generations”. The Rector described the importance that Christianity and the universities have in modern society: “Without the Christian hope the horizon of the future would really be narrow, we would be condemned to an infinite present. The construction of the future would become impossible. The point of departure for the universities must, on the contrary, be the movement towards totality, the human being in his entirety. Today we are living in an age of fragmentation, both in knowledge and in the human psyche itself. We must recover this lost unity”. In short, the universities, if they are truly to reform themselves, “must not lose sight of Christian values”. COMMON OBJECTIVES. “Cooperation with the Orthodox Church enriches the educational programme, investing it with a great spiritual profile. Christian values need to be professed, though without forgetting the other values: tolerance must always be placed in the foreground”, said ANATOLY TORKUNOV , Rector of the University of International Relations in Moscow. Looking to the future, Torkunov expressed the hope that there would be a “possibility for both universities to publish some books together, both in Russian and in Italian”. He also announced that in October a further meeting would be held: “a seminar in which both Russian and Italian businessmen would participate, with the title: The person as centre of business activity”. At the end of the debate, the two rectors and Giuseppina Cardillo Azzaro, on behalf of the Sofia association, signed the declaration of intent. Torkunov expressed the conviction that “this is not a written accord that will remain on paper. The common objectives we pledge to achieve, such as the preparation of highly qualified professionals and good citizens, we will pursue together, collaborating ever more closely together. Our university, founded some 60 years ago, furnishes Russia with a large percentage of diplomats of international level. In fact 70% of the diplomats in the Russian Foreign Ministry are graduates of our university. I am convinced that thanks to our collaboration with the Catholic University we will improve that percentage still further”.