International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs Mouvement International des Intellectuels Catholiques Movimiento Internacional de Intelectuales Católicos C.P. 374, 15 Rue du Grand-Bureau Geneva 4, CH-1211, Switzerland Tel (41-22) 823 0707 Fax (41-22) 823 0708 miicmica@paxromana.int.ch www.paxromana.org

PAX ROMANA ICMICA/MIIC

International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs
Mouvement International des Intellectuals Catholiques
Movimiento Internacional de Intelectuales Católicos

A New Partnership for Solidarity
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Responsibility of Christian Professionals

* * *

Global Action Plan
2005

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Identity, Vision and Mission

3. Overall Objectives

4. Priority Issues and Strategic Goals

5. A List of Projects and Programs 2005

Appendices

1. Acronyms and Abbreviation

2. Secretariat Budget 2005

3. ICMICA/MIIC Working Structure

4. 29th Plenary Assembly Final Statement 2004

1. Introduction

"Poverty and Injustice as Challenges to Ethics and Cultures - Responsibility of Christian Professionals" was the theme of the 29th Plenary Assembly of ICMICA from 24 to 29 July 2004 in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland.

The Poland Conference was a culmination of decade-long reflections by ICMICA at its various forums. Starting with the 27th Plenary Assembly on "Christian Responsibilities in a Fractured World" (Dobogoko, Hungary, July 28 to Aug. 3, 1996), a series of ICMICA conferences across the globe have helped members grasp a deeper understanding of poverty and injustice in an increasingly globalised world which demands proactive global responses of Catholic professionals and intellectuals.

Among the high points of our journey of reflection are the International Colloquium on "Globalisation and Poverty" (Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Oct. 25 to 29 1998), the International Colloquium on "Global Economy and Continental Synods: Dialogue with the Financial Institutions" (Washington D.C. October 18 to 23, 1999) and the 28th Plenary Assembly on "A New Partnership for Solidarity - A Source of Hope." (Paris, France, September 17-24, 2000), the Inter-Continental Workshop on Racial Discrimination on "People's Struggle for Global Racial Justice", (Chennai, India, July 21 to 25, 2001), the International Seminar on "Sustainable Development - on the Road to Rio+10" (Lima, Peru, July 7 to 9, 2002) and the Christian Forum for Global Solidarity on "Christian Solidarity for Global Justice and Peace" (Mumbai, India on Jan. 15, 2004)^[1]

The orientation titled "A New Partnership for Solidarity - A Source of Hope", adopted at the 28th Paris Plenary Assembly in Paris is indeed, together with the Final Statement of the 29th Poland Plenary Assembly, a blueprint of our aspiration and dream to create a world where the values of justice, peace and solidarity can prevail. They also provide us with the well-articulated challenges, strategic objectives and perspectives in the changing global context.

2. Identities, Vision and Mission

Identities: Pax Romana ICMICA, as an international association of catholic inter-disciplinary and inter-professional organizations, groups and individuals, has multiple identities as a lay movement, a movement of professionals and intellectuals, and a movement involved in civil society. It is recognized as the International Catholic Organization (ICO) by the Holy See, and is an international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in consultative relationship with the United Nations Economic Social Council (ECOSOC), UNESCO and Council of Europe. It has been legally registered as a non-partisan and non-profit organization in Switzerland according to the Swiss Civil Code since its creation in 1921.

Pax Romana ICMICA is a member of the Conference of International Catholic Organizations (ICOs) which is an international association of the Catholic lay movements recognized by the Holy See. It is also a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in consultative relationship with the UN (CONGO), and in 2004 Pax Romana was elected Vicepresident of CONGO. It has been part of many networks and coalitions such as Ecumenical Coalition for Alternatives to Globalisation, Earth Charter Campaign, etc.

Vision: Pax Romana ICMICA is to promote evangelization of cultures and enculturation of Gospel towards the creation of the Kingdom of God through its various professional and intellectual commitments in society and the Church and pro-active dialogue with other Christian faith, religions and cultures based on common values such as justice, peace and solidarity.

Mission: As an international network and community of primarily Christian professionals and intellectuals who are inspired by the life of Jesus Christ, Pax Romana ICMICA facilitates and promotes global dialogue and exchange of its ideas, experiences and reflections based on its commitments to the Christian lay vocations and responsibilities in their various professions in society and the Church.

3. Overall Objectives

Pax Romana ICMICA is dedicated to

developing an international and intercultural forum and network to enrich sharing and reflection among Christian professionals and intellectuals;

engaging itself in the evangelization work of the Church by bearing witness to and practicing Gospel values through their professions;

committing itself to the building of justice and peace, and the protection and promotion of human and people's rights in solidarity with the marginalized and excluded people;

promoting lay participation in the renewal and enculturation of the Church according to the spirits of the Gospel and Vatican Council II, and

carrying out open and critical dialogue and reflection on various issues of global importance and from Christian perspectives;

forming a global lay leadership by providing them with opportunities to get global experiences and perspectives;

advocating the interests of people in need through the training for capacity-building and empowerment;

facilitating ecumenical and inter-faith dialogues with people of other traditions and faiths for the promotion of mutual understanding, religious tolerance and a holistic view of life and the creation of a world based on spiritual values.

4. Priorities, Issues and Strategic Goals

Our commitments in the beginnings of the 21st century
(The full text of the document on this section is available at the Appendices)

2 milestones: The 40th anniversary of the closing of the Vatican Council II, particularly the adoption of the Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et Spes" - the Church in the modern world - in 2005, and the 60th anniversary of ICMICA in 2007

To make good use of our inter-cultural and ethical wisdom and resources in the coming years, as a network of Christians both locally rooted and globally connected, in order to tackle contemporary challenges of global poverty which causes unacceptable injustice to billions of humanity

To improve our internal communication and to bring our reflections and experiences from the local to the international level and from the international to the local within the Movement, and also with our partners

A process of Strategic Reflection of Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC.

Areas of the basic framework for action in the period 2004-2008:

Christian service and leadership in civil society

the leadership capacity-building of young lay leaders

the development of conceptual and programmatic framework of Christian Social Advocacy (CSA) building on our recent experiences in various continents

a proactive dialogue of life with people of good-will, from other religions and faiths, and from traditions of secular humanisms

Christian leadership in global governance

the construction of a more democratic and inclusive global governance whose core values are guided by the ethical principles underlying the Catholic Social Teaching

the full implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

to support any efforts by all grassroots members of our Movement, in particular in Africa, to empower themselves to combat poverty and injustice, and build peace in a spirit of global solidarity and partnership

Lay leadership in the Church

to carry on proactive dialogues aiming at a better understanding and communion among various lay movements, the clergy and religious, respecting their different charismas and distinctive missions in the communion of the People of God, as well as sharing our own tradition and spirituality

the promotion of lay vocations and lay leadership, particularly women, at the local and universal Church, with an emphasis on the role of lay professionals and intellectuals and their social responsibilities

the ongoing process of renewal of the Church in the various continents, in line with the spirit of the Continental Synods which provided legitimate and insightful foundation for a Church of communion and solidarity in the 21st century.

The above-listed key challenges and priority issues will be addressed in an integrated approach through the various programs focusing on the five strategic goals.

Advocacy

Communications and Dialogue

Leadership Formation and Training

Networking and Outreach

Animation

The list of the program under each strategic goal is as follows;

5. A List of Projects and Programs 2005 (provisional)

The following activities and events are to be organized by ICMICA/MIIC in cooperation with like-minded organizations in various parts of the world.

1. World Social Forum V (Porto Alegre, 26 to 31 January 2005)

2. Strategic Reflection of Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC (Feb. 2005-Dec. 2006): Ad Hoc Working Group 1st Meeting (Barcelona, 16 to 17 April 2005)

3. Making Millennium Development Goals a Reality in Africa´s Marginalised Communities: A Christian Social Advocacy Programme (March 2005-Feb. 2006): Training Workshop on monitoring and documentation of MDGs (Nairobi, March 2005)

4. Symposium on Catholic Social Teaching & United Nations (New York, 3 March 2005)

5. Long-term Human Rights Internship Program, in collaboration with National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) and UNESCOcat: Centre UNESCO de Catalunya (Geneva, January-December 2005)

6. Participation at 40th Anniversary of Gaudium et Spes

7. Human Rights Internship Program (Geneva, 7 March to 23 April 2005)

8. Web Monitoring & Documentation (Geneva, 14 March to 22 April)

9. Participación en el XXV Aniversario del Martirio de Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero (El Salvador, 24 de marzo - 2 de abril de 2005) -Participation at 25th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero (El Salvador, March 24 - April 2)

10. SIJC/MIJC (International Secretariat for Catholic Jurists - Pax Romana) Symposium on Jurists and Human Rights during the 61st Session of the Commission of Human Rights (Geneva, 15 April 2005)

11. Youth Employment Network in the frame of Millennium Development Goal (Goals 8, Target 16), in collaboration with ILO, UN and World Bank, in China and Indonesia (May 2005)

12. Programa de Formación y Advocacy en América Latina: "Jóvenes Profesionales comprometiéndose con el Desarrollo Humano - Training and Advocacy Program in Latin America: "Young Professionals being compromised with Human Development" (2005): 1st Training Meeting (Chillán, Chili, 2o semester 2005)

13. Human Rights Internship Program (Geneva, July 26 to August 13, 2005)

14. Colloque: Jacques Maritain et les enjeux de la démocratie á l´heure de la mondialisation (Bilbao, 20-21 septembre 2005)

15. Workshop on Food Soveignty, WTO and Millennium Development Goals: Christian Commitment to Just Trade for Food Sovereignty - Challenges of WTO and MDGs to the Social Teaching of the Church (Hong Kong, July or September 2005)

16. International Congress on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue: New Challenges in a World Longing for Peace (Bilbao, 11-15 December 2005)

17. 1st Asian Lay Leaders (All) Forum - 40th Anniversary of Gaudium et Spes (GES) (December 2005)

Basic Information on the Events in 2005

1. World Social Forum (WSF) V

Venue and Dates : Porto Alegre, 26 to 31 Jan. 2004

Objectives and Goals : sharing of the experiences and perspective of Catholic professionals on globalization within the framework of World Social Forum (WSF)

Methodology : Panel, workshop, lecture, etc.

Responsibilities of: International Team and Latin American Coordination

Participants : 50 participants mainly from Latin American countries.

2. Strategic Reflection of Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC (Feb. 2005-Dec. 2006)

Venue and Dates of the meetings of 2005: Ad Hoc Working Group 1st Meeting: Barcelona, 16 to 17 April 2005 / Session of the members of International Council: Ghana, September 2005

Objectives and Goals : In 2005, to achieve the 1st Draft of the Strategic Reflection; at the end of December 2006, the approval of the final document resulting from a participatory process of Strategic Reflection of Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC

Methodology : Ad Hoc Working Group, questionnaire, review on strategy plans of the past, special session of the International Council, etc.

Responsibilities of: International Team and International Council

Participants during 2005: Ad Hoc Working Group, International Team and International Council and Regional and Sub regional Coordinations (25 direct participants)

3. Making Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) a Reality in Africa´s Marginalised Communities: A Christian Social Advocacy Programme:

Venue and Dates : March 2005-February 2006; The training Workshop on monitoring and documentation of MDGs Nairobi, March 2005

Objectives and Goals: to ensure a full realization of MDGs with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities.

Methodology : Training, monitoring and documentation, publication, lobbying and campaigning

Responsibility of: African Coordination

Number of Participants: 50 participants of 8 countries (South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda and Tanzania)

4. Symposium on Catholic Social Teaching & United Nations

Venue and Dates: New York, 3 March 2005

Objectives and Goals: training on UN and Catholic Social Teaching

Methodology: round tables and discussions

Responsibility of: North American Coordination

Number of Participants: 75 participants

5. Long-term Human Rights Internship Program, in collaboration with:
National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
UNESCOCat: Centre UNESCO de Catalunya

Venue and Dates: Geneva, January-December 2005

Objectives and Goals: advocacy of human rights issues and training for human rights defenders on how to use UN Human Rights mechanisms

Methodology: training, monitoring, lobbying, written/oral interventions, etc.

Responsibility of: Program Coordinator (International Secretariat

Number of Participants: 1 intern from India (10 months) and 1 intern/consultant from Catalunya (3 months)

6. Participation at 40th Anniversary Conference of Gaudium et Spes : "The Call to Justice - The Legacy of Gaudium et Spes 40 Years Later" promoted by Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and University of St. Thomas, among others.

Venue and Dates Vatican City, 16-18 March 2005

Objectives and Goals: To renew the Spirit of GES in light of contemporary issues

Methodology: conferences and workshops

Responsibility of: IMCS/MIEC

Number of Participants: 4 speakers who are members of Pax Romana

7. Human Rights Internship Program at the 61st Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

Venue and Dates : Geneva / March 7 to April 23, 2005 (8 weeks)

Objectives and Goals: advocacy of human rights issues and training for human rights defenders on how to use UN Human Rights mechanisms.

Methodology : sessions with resource persons, monitoring, lobbying, written/oral interventions, etc.

Responsibility of: Program Coordinator (International Secretariat)

Number of Participants : 12-15 interns from Uruguay, Catalonia, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kenya, D.R. Congo, Cameroon, Mozambique, etc., mainly from ICMICA/MIIC federations, student leaders from IMCS/MIEC, IYCS and Justice and Peace Commissions.

8. Web Monitoring & Documentation (WMD) during the 61st Session of UN Commission of Human Rights (CHR)

Venue and Dates: Geneva, 14 March to 22 April 2005

Objectives and Goals: to make UN Human Rights meetings and mechanisms more accessible, transparent, participatory, effective and accountable

Methodology: providing full text of statements by governments, UN and NGOs via Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as internet; the website is updated everyday

Responsibility of: Program Coordinator (International Secretariat) Number of Participants: open to public audience through www.unchr.info

9. Participation at 25th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero

Venue and Dates : El Salvador, March 24 - April 2, 2005

Methodology: pilgrimages, vigils, Eucharists, week of theology, etc.

Responsibility of: Latin American and Caribbean Coordination

Number of Participants: Thousands of people

10. SIJC/MIJC (International Secretariat for Catholic Jurists - Pax Romana) Symposium on Jurists and Human Rights during the 61st Session of the Commission of Human Rights: "Claiming the principle of human dignity given the imbalances occurred in the early XX century. Instruments of protection"

Venue and Dates: Geneva, 15 April 2005

Objectives and Goals: advocacy of human rights issues, reflection on the role of Catholic jurists in relation to Human Rights, discussion about current instruments of Human Rights and to have the opportunity to meet the Jurists of Pax Romana

Methodology: an open round table of experts jurists of Pax Romana and discussion

Responsibilities of: Secretariat of Jurists - SIJC/MIJC and the International Secretariat of Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC

Number of Participants: 50 participants

11. Youth Employment Network in the frame of Millennium Development Goal (Goals 8, Target 16), in collaboration with ILO, UN and World Bank, in China and Indonesia (May 2005)

Venue and Dates: China and Indonesia, 3rd and 4th week of May 2005

Objectives and Goals: To promote the participation of youth organizations in the decision making process concerning the youth employment

Methodology: meeting with the UN High Level Panel on the Youth Employment and Collaboration with the international youth organizations

Responsibilities: Program Coordinator of ICMICA/MIIC in coordination with IMCS/MIEC

Number participants: 50 participants

12. Programa de Formación y Advocacy en América Latina: "Jóvenes Profesionales comprometiéndose con el Desarrollo Humano" - Training and Advocacy Program in Latin America: "Young Professionals being compromised with Human Development" (2005)

Venue and Dates: 1st sub regional training meeting in Chillán, Chile, 2nd semester 2005, the 2nd and 3rd training meetings TBC

Objectives and Goals: to train Christian young professionals for the advocacy work at the local, regional and international level in relation to MDGs and Human Development in Latin America and Caribbean

Methodology: input, group discussion, training meetings, field visit, etc.

Responsibilities of: Latin American and Caribbean Coordination

Number of Participants: 120 young professionals

13. Human Rights Internship Program at the 57th Session of the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights (Sub-CHR)

Venue and Dates : Geneva, 26 July to 13 August 2005 (4 weeks)

Objectives and Goals: advocacy of human rights issues and training of human rights defenders on how to use UN Human Rights mechanisms.

Methodology : sessions with resource persons, monitoring, lobbying, written/oral interventions, etc.

Responsibility of: Program Coordinator (International Secretariat)

Number of Participants : 8-10 interns from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, mainly from ICMICA/MIIC federations, student leaders from IMCS/MIEC, IYCS and Justice and Peace Commissions.

14. Colloque: Jacques Maritain et les enjeux de la démocratie a l´heure de la mondialisation - Symposium: Jacques Maritain and the stakes of the democracy at the time of globalization

Venue and Dates: Bilbao, 20-21 September 2005

Objectives and Goals: to update Mariatian´s thought in relation to the world-wide democracy plan and to discuss about the role of Christians in relation to the cultural and social context of globalization

Methodology: input, group discussion, field visit, etc.

Responsibilities of: International Secretariat, European Coordination and the Basque federation

Number of Participants: 150

15. Workshop on Food Sovereignty, WTO and Millennium Development Goals: Christian Commitment to Just Trade for Food Sovereignty - Challenges of WTO and MDGs to the Social Teaching of the Church

Venue and Dates: Hong Kong, July or September 2005

Objectives and Goals: To strengthen the Christian capacity to deal with the issues of food sovereignty and trade in relation to the WTO and MDGs from the perspective of the Social Teaching of the Church

Methodology: input, group discussion, field visit, etc

Responsibilities: Asia /Pacific Coordination

Number of Participants: 50 participants

16. International Congress on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue: New Challenges in a World Longing for Peace

Venue and Dates: Bilbao, 11-15 December 2005

Objectives: a) Affirm and promote dialogue as the road to a peaceful and just global coexistence in which diversity is enriching; b) Base the dialogue on each party's faithfulness to its own tradition on the one hand, and on a sincere openness to other traditions on the other; c) Discern the similarities and differences of the spiritual roots of each culture in order to foster mutual understanding among cultures; d) Recognise encounters and conflicts among traditions throughout history; e) Identify the risks and opportunities posed by present day migratory movements

Methodology: Public conference of 3 days and seminar of experts of 2 days

Responsibilities of: International Secretariat and the Basque federation

Number of Participants: 600 participants of different religious traditions

17. 1st Asian Lay Leaders (All) Forum - 40th Anniversary of Gaudium et Spes (GES)

Venue and Dates: Asia, December 2005

Objectives and Goals: To renew the Spirit of GS in light of contemporary issues and to stress of the lays

Methodology: input, group discussion, field visit, etc

Responsibility of: Asia / Pacific Coordination

Number of Participants: TBC

Appendices

1. Acronyms and Abbreviation

CHR : Commission on Human Rights

CONGO : Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with UN

DPI : Department of Public Information

ELC : European Liaison Committee

GES: Gaudium et Spes

HR : Human Rights

ICMICA : International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs

ICOs : International Catholic Organizations

MDG: Millennium Development Goals

NGO : Non-Governmental Organization

PrepCom : Preparatory Committee

SIJC/MIJC: International Secretariat for Catholic Jurists

Sub-CHR : Sub-Commission on Human Rights

UN : United Nations

WG : Working Group

WMD: Web Monitoring & Documentation

WSF : World Social Forum

WSIS : World Summit on Information Society

WSSD : World Summit on Sustainable Development

WTO: World Trade Organization

2. Secretariat Budget 2005

3. ICMICA Working Structure

Pax Romana ICMICA has a decision-making structure and working mechanism at the different levels which have been developed over the decades.

Plenary Assembly (PA) is the highest decision-making body of the Movement which appoints the office bearers and takes important decisions on statutory matters and policies. It usually takes place every four years, and consists of delegated representatives from the member federations.

International Council (IC) is the second-highest decision-making body between Plenary Assemblies which overseas the implementation of the PA decisions and the work of the International Team. It usually meets every year and it consists of the President, vice-presidents and two representatives from each of the five continental regions. The International Council members are elected by the Plenary Assembly.

International Team (IT) is the executive and coordinating body of the Movement which is responsible for the implementation of the decisions by the PA and IC and takes care of the day-to-day work of the International Secretariat. International Team is composed of International President, Secretary General and International Chaplain. The International Team members are elected by the Plenary Assembly. The Financial Committee supervises and look after the financial aspects of the work of the International Secretariat.

Regional Coordinations are responsible for coordinating activities in the continental regions. The Regional Coordinator as Vice-President usually attends the IC on behalf of the region. The Regional Coordination may function as a team with other sub-regional coordinator/s in the region. At present, there are five regions operating such as Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Specialised Secretariats are the networks of the Christian professionals who work in the specific field or milieu. They consist of the same or similar professions. At present ICMICA has the following five Secretariats;

International Secretariat for Christian Artists (SIAC)
International Secretariat for Catholic Secondary Teachers (SIESC)
International Secretariat for Catholic Jurists (SIJC/MIJC)
International Secretariat for Scientific Questions (SIQS)
International Secretariat for Catholic Engineers, Agronomists, and Industry Officials (SIIAEC)

International Representation : ICMICA and IMCS (International Movement of Catholic Students) in the name of Pax Romana, has permanent representatives at the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna, at UNESCO in Paris, and at the Council of Europe in Strassbourg. In addition, ICMICA delegates its representatives to other UN regional bodies, and to various international meetings.

Working Groups : Working Groups are the group of people who are interested in and have expertise on specific issues.

4. Challenges and Priorities for ICMICA/MIIC

The text below is taken from the final statement of the 29th Plenary Assembly held in Poland in July 2004

Our commitments in the beginnings of the 21st century

1. In the light of the deliberations and discussions during the Conference and based on what has been achieved during the last several years and expressed in the Paris Final Statement of 2000, we are challenged to move forward with a renewed sense of vision and mission. We recognize that the 40th anniversary of the closing of the Vatican Council II, particularly the adoption of the Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et Spes" - the Church in the modern world - in 2005, and also the 60th anniversary of ICMICA in 2007, present to us two main milestones for our continued journey of faith in our professional commitments in society and the Church.

2. We, all leaders and members of ICMICA, working together and networking with partners and friends, commit ourselves to play a more proactive role as disciples of Jesus in tackling contemporary challenges of global poverty which causes unacceptable injustice to billions of humanity. For this cause we will make good use of our inter-cultural and ethical wisdom and resources in the coming years, as a network of Christians both locally rooted and globally connected.

3. As a means to improve our activities and to strengthen our movement, we commit ourselves to improve our internal communication, among individuals, groups and federations and with the International Council and the International Team, to bring our reflections and experiences from the local to the international level and from the international to the local within the Movement, and also with our partners, fully utilizing the benefits of the available information and communication technologies.

4. In designing forward-looking strategies based on our experiences over the last four years and taking into account key challenges and priorities identified in the last Plenary Assembly 2000, we consider that the following areas are integral components of the basic framework for action in the period 2004-2008.

Christian service and leadership in civil society

1. We commit ourselves to the leadership capacity-building of young lay leaders building on the experience gained through various programs such as the Human Rights Internship Program in Geneva in conjunction with the UN meetings, in cooperation with the Catholic student and youth movements such as the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) and the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS).

2. We commit ourselves to the development of conceptual and programmatic framework of Christian Social Advocacy (CSA) building on our recent experiences in various continents, as a tool for Christian witness to the Gospel and to build Christian leadership in an emerging global civil society.

3. We commit ourselves to a proactive dialogue of life with people of good-will, from other religions and faiths, and from traditions of secular humanisms, in a spirit of loyalty and discernment, pursuing common objectives such as peace, non-violence, human rights, social justice and solidarity, whose underlying values are shared and recognized universally across the local groups, communities, nations and global institutions.

Christian leadership in global governance

4. We commit ourselves to share in the ongoing efforts aimed at the construction of a more democratic and inclusive global governance whose core values are guided by the ethical principles underlying the Catholic Social Teaching.

5. We commit ourselves to use all our potential for the full implementation of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), by animating and advocating in the nations where we are present, as well as at the regional and universal levels. Also, we commit ourselves to mobilize all available resources - cultural, ethical as well as material - within the Church to that end.

6. We continue and double our efforts to support any efforts by all grassroots members of our Movement, in particular in Africa, to empower themselves to combat poverty and injustice, and build peace in a spirit of global solidarity and partnership.

Lay leadership in the Church

7. We commit ourselves to carry on proactive dialogues aiming at a better understanding and communion among various lay movements, the clergy and religious, respecting their different charismas and distinctive missions in the communion of the People of God, as well as sharing our own tradition and spirituality.

8. We commit ourselves to the promotion of lay vocations and lay leadership, particularly women, at the local and universal Church, with an emphasis on the role of lay professionals and intellectuals and their social responsibilities.

9. We commit ourselves to the ongoing process of renewal of the Church in the various continents, in line with the spirit of the Continental Synods which provided legitimate and insightful foundation for a Church of communion and solidarity in the 21st century.

Note:

[1] There were many other meetings at the continental level such as the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) People's Forum workshop on 'Globalisation and Spirituality' (Seoul, South Korea / October 16 to 19, 2000), the European Conference on 'Migration in Europe' (Poland, May 10-13, 2001) and the European Conference on 'Ethical and Constitutional Challenges to the European Project" (Luxembourg, Sept. 3 to 6, 2003). The full list of main documents produced at the ICMICA meetings is at the publication "A New Partnership for Solidarity"