More than 20 religious leaders of the Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish etc., from all over Europe, met on Thursday, July 12, at the Presidency of the European Commission in Brussels, under the motto “Intergenerational Solidarity: Setting the parameters for the society of tomorrow in Europe.” The European Commission has declared 2012 as the “European Year for an Active Older Generation and Intergenerational Solidarity.”
By special invitation of President Barroso, Prof. Dr. Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana and all Albania, attended the meeting as one of the leading speakers.
This high level meeting was called by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, in cooperation with the President of the Council of Europe, Herman Van Rompuy and Vice-President of the European Parliament Laszlo Surjan, a representative of z. Martin Schulz.
Leaders discussed the demographic challenges in Europe, unemployment, active old age, hiring and privacy. President Barroso urged religious leaders to engage in public debate and to make known the specific contribution that churches and religious communities can provide for solidarity. He said inter alia: “To address the economic crisis, we are guaranteeing the balance between solidarity and responsibility of member states. But we need to show solidarity and responsibility in the care of the old and young. Only thus will we come out of this crisis and build the future; only if we encourage solidarity between generations. Churches and religious communities are the best place to build the bridges of our society.”
I.K.