Futuristic setting The futuristic Auditorium in Rome’s Parco della Musica provided a marvellous setting for the opening session of the Interpendence Day meeting. “The interdependence of peoples, which has become an urgent necessity through the globalisation of trade and through… terrorism, was sung and played in all sorts of variations in the Sinopoli Hall of the Auditorium. It was a dialogue made up of many voices and many faiths and political standpoints, all in unison with the idea of a ‘virtuous system of interdependence’ which all are aiming for, from the UN to the world’s religions”. So wrote Orazio Petrosillo in Il Messaggero (Rome) on 13 September. “Those who have come to Rome for Interdependence Day have done so because they believe that peoples, individuals and states really can become more united.”

Benjamin Barber: Virtuous interdependence as an answer to today’s global challenges American politician, Professor Benjamin Barber, founder of Interdependence Day said, in an interview: “Interdependence means that either we can create a world that is safe for everyone, or one that is not safe for anyone.” And, in welcoming the delegates he affirmed: “Because the challenges that face us today are global challenges, the answers too must be global. This is why the need for Interdependence Day and for a Declaration of Interdependence came about. Our answers must be the fruit of a virtuous interdependence system, a new transnational system of international law, multi-lateral cooperation and global social governance.”

A document for a new world based on interdependent living The European Charter for the politics of Interdependence has as its priority a new world based on interdependent living. Before everything else, it affirms that this is indispensable for eradicating terrorism and that it can achieved by building a strong social and linguistic network, one that favours intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as international cooperation to combat the north-south divide in the world. It also encourages the free movement of individuals, the right to vote for foreigners, access to drinking water and the universal right to health. It also demands that the right of asylum be strengthened. Prodi: overcoming division between peoples President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, said in his message, that “the times in which we live require us to take the long view, to overcome the divisions that have marked our past. Now we know which path we must follow: that of unity in diversity, dialogue between cultures, sharing resources.” Kofi Annan: a new awareness of being world citizens is needed To resolve the inequalities and the tragedies that afflict the world, UN secretary general, Kofi Annan said in his message that “we need men and women who develop the awareness of being world citizens. No nation, on its own, can protect itself from the dangers that threaten it from outside.”

Veltroni’s definition of Interdependence: an alternative to the north-south divide The Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, said that interdependence is an alternative to that form of globalisation which increases the north-south divide: “The latest report on human development says that in 26 countries, mostly in Africa, wealth has decreased rather than increased.” Bodies like the UN, that govern our planet must be strengthened.

Chiara Lubich: Interdependence and fraternity needed to set in motion positive processes For Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, interdependence has a very precise meaning: it involves choosing the way of a dialogue rather than that of dominance, the way of sharing rather than that of concentrating resources and knowledge in just one part of the world. Enlivened by fraternity, interdependence as a simple ‘fact’ or ‘instrument’, can become the driving force for positive processes… not just of a single people, but of all humanity. Andrea Riccardi: all are called to work for peace “Just a small number of people can destabilise the world with arms,” said Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St Egidio Community, “and this is the story of terrorism. But it is also true that everyone can work for peace. We need a new culture, new initiatives.”