Peace is feasible Let us not give in to the idea that peace is only a great utopia. He who is young in heart does not surrender instead he creates projects for future developments The development is called Peace.
Assisi can facilitate the meeting of those who desire to build a world of peace. For this reason we have founded Assisi Pax International.
The Association has its headquarters in the paternal home of St. Francis: The Convent - Sanctuary of Chiesa Nuova in Assisi.
It was here that St. Francis lived as a youth, here he had dreams here he loved, from he re he left home to join the army that was (at war with Perugia, and it was here that he returned after he was released from prison. It was here that his conversion came to maturity, and it is here that we wish to develop our activities for Peace. At the beginning out Association had the brilliant idea that was finally considered not only good but also applicable to real daily life. It was not a new idea in itself, but new because it can be applied to this historical time: Peace is not only the absence of war but above all it is the capacity to live in collaboration with others. In fact, collaboration produces more advantages and wealth than can be produced with violence, It was with this idea - we thought - hat the European Union was conceived and which, beyond other possibilities, has brought peace and well-being. By studying in depth this principal we will understand that only a foolish person could think of life could be associated with conflict. The members of Assisi Pax International work so that this idea is transformed into reality. By doing this they are helping to build a civilisation of peace.
Only a peaceful experience lived in an atmosphere of peace and in touch with real problems, can create a new relationship be begun. For example, have you ever thought of the novelty of soldiers of peace in a peaceful army?
To accomplish all these things Assisi Pax International proposes a method based on positiveness, truth, dialogue, respect, tolerance and freedom. The peacemaker does not renounce his personal identity nor does he impose his personal choices on others. Choosing peace is choosing freedom, which changes us within and changes those who, by chance, may be friends or enemies.
We as members of the association are in 4 tune with many movements that work to make
People aware of peace. But we believe that there is still another step to be taken toward a peaceful society. We want to promote a civilisation of Peace. Peace is actually possible and convenient. As it has already happened in ecology, that until a few years ago it did not have many sympathisers; today it has become an active and widespread enterprise. Peace is the progress of civilisation.
Peace is every step that man takes toward justice; Peace is every step toward a spiritual and material good; Peace is every step toward a good human relationship; Peace is the equal distribution of wealth; Peace is every positive case of overcoming diseases and hatred; Peace is every action that avoids conflicts, Peace is the work of the labourer; Peace is the work of the doctor, Peace is the work of the missionary.
We believe that we must overcome the current model of a conflicting society by creating new relationships. Just like St. Francis of Assisi did when he met the sultan Melek-el-Kamil. On that occasion he "invented" dialogue, or better, he brought dialogue into the situation, and many differences were overcome, In fact there was no dialogue between Christians and Moslems, only widespread conflicts.
To overcome the model of a conflicting society, we suggest first of all, to learn how to speak and flunk in a non-conflicting way; too often we use schemes of thought and speech from the world of war.
Let me give you an example: when we speak of sport, instead of using expressions of emulation and competition, we use language taken from a conflicting world of arms such as the concepts of battle - to defeat, to win... It would be so much more human to use athletic language so as to avoid that the words used, will lead to violent thoughts and then to violent actions as often happens in the stadiums.
Even in our other activities we are led into relations with others in terms of conflicts and war. An example is our economy, which is so important in our social life. We live economic relationship between individuals, societies and nations... using the model of war, we begin to think how we can become richer by violence, taking what has not been produced by us. But this cannot continue...
The Association Assisi Pax International draws us closer to another concept of an economy based on co-operation rather than conflict. To make this clearer, I propose the following consideration: until the conflict of the second world war in Europe we had opposing nations in a struggle for power and riches, robbing them from others. As we have previously said, the European Union helps us to understand that the time is now ripe in which co-operation becomes synonymous with civilisation.
Peace must be seen cis a skill to go from a world of conflicts to a world in which co-operation, positiveness and respect become the norm of thinking and doing. It is only then that we will fulfil the greeting of Christ after His Resurrection: "Peace be to you." For this reason St. Francis of Assisi considered this greeting to be a revelation from God. In his last will he says: "The Lord revealed to me that I should use this greeting: "May the Lord give you peace!". This means that St. Francis believed that this announcement of peace is a revelation - a primary event upon which he founded his choice of life. For this reason the Association Assisi Pax International speaks of Civilisation of Peace.
The Association Assisi Pax International invites you to become a Friend or an Associate so that together with many others you can work toward an active and visible peace. Every Friend or Associate is called to spread the value of Peace and to work in the world following the Franciscan inspiration, Everyone can offer some time and energy, working in person by promoting meetings, debates or discussions in order to help others to understand the value of Peace. Assisi Pax International asks that each one study the best way to apply the concept of Peace in individual situations within the field of his own profession. Everyone is asked to make the ideas of Assisi Pax a reality. If a person is specialised in urban-planning, he can apply himself to the advancement of urbanisation that will produce situations of peace. If one is specialised in economy, he can research, study and discuss ways to produce an economy of co-operation rather than a conflicting economy that is also less economical. If one is an educator, he can propose a sense of positiveness and co-operation to create peace within the field of teaching. Every Friend or Associate is asked to study and put into practice within his professional field the idea of peace which he now shares.
Assisi Pax International has chosen the path of nonviolence, which is not the way for the weak, but rather the behaviour of the strong. First of all we need to affirm that nonviolence is a positive concept. For this reason it is written as one word. It is not simply removing violence, but it is an action full of respect for every creature, a courageous and strong action. Nonviolence is the capability to respond with equilibrium every movement toward violence. Only one who is strong can resist the temptation to violence. If a child kicks your shinbone and you respond with another kick, you are an infant who cannot control himself. But if you respond by taking the child by his shoulders and without hurting him you hold him far from you legs, then you are nonviolent because you used your strength instead of violence. You have become an adult.
Assisi Pax International teaches us how we can be at Peace with creation. We love nature and we respect it. We do not love it because it is in danger of being destroyed, but because everything, animals, plants or inanimate beings are signs of the marvellous presence of God, The human person without nature would not be who he is. All of creation has been given as a friend and travelling companion. Respect must be given to every living creature or thing. Francis of Assisi was attentive to stones, and to worms. When out of necessity his friars needed wood, he would forbid them to cut all the tree. They had to leave at least one sucker so that the tree could continue to live. This is how Francis wanted the garden of the friars: one part for edible vegetables; another part for flowers and scented green plants, and one part for wild plants. In fact, we are not the owners of the world, but only the guardians. Instead of saying "ecology" we say "Peace with creation".
In order to meet together and carry on the work of Peace, it is necessary to be in a quiet place where we can pray, think, converse and take on initiatives.
We believe that Assisi is the right place. Other situations can also give life to the "shoots" that come from Assisi, if they desire.
I would appreciate if every Friend would correspond with our Centre and communicate the availability to know and meet other Friends and Associates so we can work according to the respective professions.
Our Internet site is a source of information, and a place to find work areas.
If you are alone, the problem--, of the world are overwhelming you. Remember that every-where in the world there are people with your same problems who are trying to make (a choice like the one that Assisi Pax has proposed to you. Choose to think positive about yourself and others , respect all living beings and all of creation, choose the way of nonviolence which has great strength. Giving a hand in doing all these things means to support Assisi Pax International.