Giuseppe Dalla Torre, rector of Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (Lumsa) in Rome, spoke of the "fundamental objectives of common interest for the Europeans" (peace, defence of human dignity and natural rights, equality, solidarity), at the end of the European meeting named "A new humanism for Europe. The role of Universities", promoted by Ccee in Rome from 21st to 24th June. With reference to the appeal made by card. Camillo Ruini against the persecution of the Christians and recalling the commitment to reducing and/or writing off the foreign debt of the poor countries, Dalla Torre stated that, for such goals, which are "the task and responsibility" of the national and European political institutions and societies, "the fundamental contribution of the Universities" cannot be left out: "A contribution he explained in transmitting to the youngest generations a knowledge of and a sensitivity for high ideals" and "a contribution in steering scientific research and cultural reflection, according to the lines of convergence and solidarity with the European goals". According to Dalla Torre, we must bear in mind that the Universities "have played a key role, since their birth in the Middle Ages, in shaping the identity of the inhabitants of the continent, acting as a melting pot for blending all differences together: different peoples, languages, cultures, laws, religions". (to be continued)
