Press Release by the
Dicastery for Human Integral Development
25th Anniversary of the Populorum Progressio Foundation for Latin America:
Conference “25 years of service for integral human development, looking to the future.”
(Rome, 12 December 2017)
On 12 December 2017, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its establishment, the Populorum Progressio Foundation for Latin America will hold a conference in Rome at the “Il Cantico” Hotel entitled “25 years of service for integral human development, looking to the future”. The Populorum Progressio Foundation was entrusted to the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, as desired by Saint John Paul II on 13 February 1992. The Foundation is now part of the pastoral mission of the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
In the inaugural session of the conference, after the introductory greetings on behalf of Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery and President of the Foundation, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, will introduce some elements of the Synod dedicated to the Amazon and to indigenous peoples and scheduled for 2019. Some interventions from the Latin American Bishops present will be heard, as well. Professor Guzmán Carriquiry will present features of the Latin American reality today.
The annual meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Directors will take place on 13 December, during which members will debate the funding of projects in favor of indigenous, mestizo, African-American and peasant communities of Latin America and the Caribbean for the year 2018. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to reflect on best practices for implementing the Foundation’s mandate, especially in light of the preparation of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region. This could be an incentive for the activities and approval of projects that are particularly capable of combining human development, the natural environment of the territories in which they will be built, respect and enhancement of the dignity of indigenous people. The following day an Audience with the Holy Father is scheduled to take place.
The members of the board are: H.E. Msgr. Edmundo Luis Flavio Abastoflor Montero, Archbishop of La Paz (Bolivia), Chairman of the Board of Directors; H.E. Msgr. Antonio Arregui Yarza, Archbishop Emeritus of Guayaquil (Ecuador), Vice-president; His Eminence Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, Archbishop Emeritus of Santo Domingo; H.E. Msgr. Óscar Urbina Ortega, Archbishop of Villavicencio (Colombia); H.E. Msgr. Murilo Sebastião Ramos Krieger, Archbishop of São Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); H.E. Msgr. Javier Augusto Del Río Alba, Archbishop of Arequipa (Peru); H.E. Msgr. José Luis Azuaje, Bishop of Barinas (Venezuela); Msgr. Segundo Tejado Muñoz, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Human Integral Development.
During these 25 years the Foundation has implemented more than 4,300 projects, to which a total of over 41 million dollars of funds have been allocated. The projects involve local communities and are targeted towards various sectors, including agriculture, livestock, crafts and micro-enterprises, drinking water infrastructures, training and educational facilities, health and construction.
Among the main supporters of the Populorum Progressio Foundation, in addition to individual donors, of particular importance is the Italian Episcopal Conference.
For information please contact the Press and Communications Office of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: Roberto Paglialonga (r.paglialonga@humandevelopment.va), Pamela Fabiano (p.fabiano@humandevelopment.va), Claudia di Lorenzi (c.dilorenzi@humandevelopment.va).