At the end of September this year our colleagues participated in a conference in the fascinating vicinity of picturesque Toscana, Italy. The conference that was entitled Peace – Responsibility for Future (Pace Responsibilitá per il futuro) addressed the practical aspects of ethics, economics and peace. The lecturers approached the subject from different perspectives and experiences.
The host of the conference providing the venue was Villa Vrindavana community, which is one of the Italian representatives of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and a cultural centre at the same time. This community has committed itself to the implementation of sustainability on theoretical as well as practical level. For this reason, the venue proved to be absolutely suitable for hosting the conference, taking into consideration that sustainable living is among the goals of the community. As there is excellent cooperation between the local authorities and the community of Villa Vrindavana, it is no wonder that when organizers had come up with the idea of conference on peace and sustainability, they immediately chose the Villa Vrindavana community.
The official opening speech of the conference was made by Massimiliano Pescini, who is a member of the syndicate of San Casciano Val di Pesa and Marco Romoli, who is the leader of Temple of Peace (Un tempio per la Pace), a .com’ title=’cialis cheapest price’>cialis cheapest price
secular cultural organization. The approximately 80 attendees listened to the first thrilling presentation of Luigi Lombardi Vallauri, a philosophy professor at the University of Florence on animal rights and harsh treatment livestock animals have to bear. He emphasized the importance of vegetarian lifestyle and its worth with reference to ethics.
The second speaker was Marco Bresci, an architect, who elaborated on ethics and economy’s respect to nature. The following presentation was given by Enrico Chelli, which also had some Hungarian relevance, since he as representative of such international organizations as Club of Budapest and Club of Rome revealed such a perspective and approach which examines our civilizations present state and future opportunities, and which is given voice to through the ever increasing group called Cultural Creatives. This group, in contrast to the present, prevailing value system, professes planetary, global responsibility, importance of ethics and a holistic outlook on life.
In the afternoon session of the conference, which was addressing the practical aspect and experience of peace, took place the presentation of the Eco Valley Foundation. During the exposition of slides we showed, through the model community of Krishna Valley, how can one achieve sustainability in practice and how such environmental, economic and social balance indicates a liveable social medium, a place where everyone can find peace required for harmonious, tranquil life.
In their closing remarks, Susanna Agostini, president of the Commission for Peace and Human Rights of Florence and Mauro Bombieri, head of the Villa Vrindavana community thanked everyone who attended and helped in the organization of the event. Furthermore, organizers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all participants and wished success on their journey to sustainable peace.
