Advancing Integral Disarmament in Times of Pandemic
DATE: March 23, 2021 via Youtube Livestream Recording
Leaders of the Vatican and SCRAP weapons executives presented world leaders and civil society with practical measures in support of the United Nations secretary-general’s call for a global ceasefire.
This webinar consisted of three sessions:
The first session was dedicated to institutional introductions. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy Father; Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; and Prof. Dan Plesch, Director of the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) at SOAS University of London.
The second session addressed international law and concrete methods to pursue disarmament. Members of the disarmament community shared their expertise, with closing remarks from H.E. Msgr. Ivan Jurkovič, Permanent Observer, Holy See Mission to the UN in Geneva.
The third session highlighted the vital role ecumenical and interreligious dialogue can play. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Cardinal Miguel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, along with representatives of Christian denominations and other religions participated in the session. Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, Special Delegate for the Sovereign Order of Malta, gave his contribution.
Closing remarks was given by Msgr. Bruno Marie Duffé, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The sessions were moderated by Dr. Alessio Pecorario, Coordinator of the Security Taskforce of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission.
This event was hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in collaboration with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SOAS University of London); organized with the support of institutions of the Roman Curia, including the Pontifical Councils for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) and for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU); and with the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Co-sponsors of the event also include: Pax Christi International, the Catholic Peacebuilding Network, the Catholic University of America Institute for Policy Research, and the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University.
International Media Coverage of the event:
Divert military expenses to improve health and fight poverty, Vatican says | Reuters
Cardinal Parolin: ‘Disarmament needed for integral security after pandemic’ | Vatican News
Vaticano, disarmo globale: una strada e un impegno | Vatican News
Zampini sobre desarme nuclear: “menos armas y más promoción social" | Vatican News
Vatican can be 'game changer' in nuclear debate | The Tablet UK
Il Diario di Papa Francesco 18 marzo 2021 | TV2000 (Live comments on the Pope's trip to Iraq)