The European refugee crisis became the central focus during the Community of Santâ??Egidio's international conference in Tirana, Albania. Leaders from politics, culture, academia, and religion all shared why they believe peace is possible.
MARCO IMPAGLIAZZO
President, Community of Santâ??Egidio
'The thousands of refugees who flock in search of a future and salvation in Europe today make clear to us that peace is the priority of our world. They are often the victims of war. Therefore, peace is a priority to avoid death and destruction, but also this exodus, which has caused great suffering.â?
The conference is officially themed 'peace is possible.â? It was a broad conversation, but with thousands of refugees searching for safety in Europe, the topic became a central part of the gathering.
MARCO IMPAGLIAZZO
President, Community of Santâ??Egidio
'As the Italian president wrote in his message to the meeting of Sant'Egidio: Walls and barbed wire will not resolve the situation. Only great and constant work for peace will. Because war is the mother of all poverty and with peace you can find actual solutions for living together.â?
In a message to the gathering, Pope Francis wrote, 'Erecting walls and barriers to keep out people seeking a peaceful place to live is a form of violence.â?
The meeting wasn't just about soaring rhetoric. Some leaders discussed concrete steps that needed to be taken to help ease violence in the Middle East, which would help solve the root cause of the refugee crisis.
A Syrian Orthodox archbishop said that the international community must help 'put a stop to direct and indirect financing of the extremists as well as the influx of weapons and combatants.â?
The three-day conference is being held in Tirana, Albania and includes heads of state and top government ministers, as well as hundreds of religious leaders from throughout the world.
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Santâ??Egidio
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