Libri di Helen Alford

On its 30th anniversary, the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences dedicated its 2024 Plenary Session to "Disability and Human Condition: Changing the Social Determinants of Disabilities and Building a New Culture of Inclusion." The Church's Social Doctrine affirms that persons with disabilities are fully human subjects, endowed with rights and duties, who, "even with the limitations and sufferings inscribed in their bodies and faculties, place greater emphasis on human dignity and greatness."They must, therefore, be supported so that they may "participate in family and social life in all dimensions and at all levels accessible t0 [their] possibilities." (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 148). The international community has made significant strides in acknowledging the rights of persons with disabilities and the numerous barriers that impede their full integration into social life. However, in many regions, individuals with disabilities still confront discrimination and isolation; their equal dignity is often not recognized. Through his life witness and his Magisterium, Pope Francis has shown a particular concern for persons with disabilities, referring to them "as some of those 'hidden exiles' who are treated as foreign bodies within society. Many persons with disabilities 'feel that they exist without belonging and without participating'. Much still prevents them from being fully enfranchised. Our concern should be not only to car efor them but to ensure their 'active participation in the civil and ecclesial community. That is a demanding and even tiring process, yet one that will gradually contribute to the formation of consciences capable of acknowledging each individual as a unique and unrepeatable person."" (Fratelli tutti, 98). The participants of the Plenary Session responded to Pope Francis' call by conducting a comprehensive global analysis of current strategies and their effectiveness. They re-evaluated the conceptualization of human rights for people with disabilities from a relational perspective and proposed innovative measures at international, national, and local levels to promote social inclusion. The Plenary rose to the challenge and made a significant contribution by identifying the specific social determinants that act as barriers, increasing social disability and preventing persons with disabilities from fully participating in social life and offering their unique contributions. Considering diverse socio-cultural contexts, the Plenary examined the necessary changes at the cultural, regulatory, and public policy levels to implement and ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This volume gathers the specific contributions of the social sciences in opening new horizons and highlighting existing practices. We hope that- by combining subsidiarity and solidarity, and truly applying the principles of political charity - we may all become builders of a new culture of inclusion, and of a world where disability is a normal part of life.

Parlare di responsabilità sociale d'impresa è divenuto quasi un obbligo per tutti coloro che si occupano di aziende; proprio la grande diffusione di studi e applicazioni pratiche può fare sì che si proceda in modo un po' troppo trionfalistico, acritico ed astorico, rischiando di perdere di vista tutta la complessità, e talvolta la problematicità, legata al concetto di responsabilità sociale. É fondamentale pertanto approfondire l'analisi e la conoscenza delle basi etiche, talvolta differenti, che stanno alla base di studi ed applicazioni pratiche della responsabilità sociale d'impresa. Il presente lavoro studia le basi etiche della CSR secondo la Dottrina Sociale della Chiesa Cattolica (DSC). In questo modo si arricchisce la DSC dell'apporto strumentale e concettuale di studi e applicazioni pratiche connesse alla responsabilità sociale, mostrando come questi non possano che basarsi su solidi principi etici e antropologici (per il credente fondati in ultima analisi su una Realtà Ultima Trascendente). Si contribuisce inoltre ad evitare che la responsabilità d'impresa poggi su basi deboli, che potrebbero farla scivolare, a parere di questo lavoro, verso applicazioni più strumentali, o conformi alla moda, che etiche in senso proprio.

The Catholic Social Teaching (CST) Rome Exchange: Advanced Training Experience (CREATE) is the new initiative of the Faculty of Social Science (FASS) at the Pontifical University Saint Thomas Aquinas – Angelicum in Rome. Currently focused on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), it provides ways for students and experts in Catholic social teaching (CST) to access resources and training in Rome, so as to develop their knowledge and their capability in using CST for resolving problems faced in their local reality. Catholic social teaching Rome Exchange: Advanced Training Experience – starts from two basic ideas: (1) Catholic social thought is a powerful resource in the mission of the Church today, but often it needs to be more widely known and better operationalised in practical situations; (2) Rome is a centre for the development of Catholic social thought; by bringing students and experts to Rome for short or longer stays, we can help them to improve their knowledge of CST and practical skills in implementing it, while ensuring that they stay connected with their home region. CREATE is an integrated set of 5 activities: 1. Expert Council [EC]: a network of professors and experts from different Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs) in the region meeting once a year in Rome; 2. CREATE Prize [CP]: an annual competition starting in 2021, for an original essay by a young researcher/student from the CEE on some application of CST to society; 3. Salamanca Process Scholarships [SP]: doctorate scholarship and post-doc scholarships for Dominican candidates (sisters and brothers) from Central and Eastern Europe, as part of the Salamanca Process of the Dominican Order; 4. Laudato si’ Scholarships [LS]: doctorate and post-doc scholarships for young people from the CEE region to develop their research in their home countries and institutions, with support from FASS professors. Laudato si’ scholars will come in Rome regularly over a 2-3-year period, in order to take advantage of the resources provided by the FASS and the central Catholic institutions in Rome. 5. CST Toolkit Scholarships [TX]: a semester-long programme of courses in CST (January to June, starting in 2022) for CEE students at the masters or doctorate level.