XII PLENARY SESSION
OF THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Vanishing Youth?
Solidarity with Children and Young People in an Age of Turbulence

(28 April- 2 May 2006)

INTRODUCTION

Pierpaolo Donati, Mary Ann Glendon

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences will hold its twelfth Plenary Session at the Vatican from 28 April to 2 May on "Vanishing Youth?   Solidarity with Children and Young People in an Age of Turbulence."  Most of the 33 Academicians, coming from all over the world, will participate, together with invited experts and youthful observers from various regions.

     The conference, organised by Professor Pierpaolo Donati of the University of Bologna, will be the second Plenary Session the Academy has devoted to aspects of the topic of intergenerational solidarity.  That subject is one of the four major themes upon which the Academy has focused since its founding by Pope John Paul II in 1994. Conferences and studies exploring these topics (human work, democracy, globalisation, and intergenerational solidarity) have resulted in several publications that have helped to deepen understanding in a manner relevant for the teaching of the Church.

     The first Plenary Session on intergenerational solidarity, held in 2004, was titled "Intergenerational Solidarity, Welfare, and Human Ecology." Its point of departure was the observation that, everywhere on earth, profound demographic changes are radically transforming the relations between generations. Thus far, humanity is finding it hard to face, or even to recognise, these challenges.

     In the 1960s and 70s, the prevailing idea was that impending overpopulation was threatening the entire planet with hunger and poverty. On that assumption, vast population control campaigns were mobilised and legitimated. Today, after three decades, it is beyond dispute that the problem is quite the opposite: populations in developed and developing countries alike are aging.  The combination of low birth rates and greater longevity has grave implications for both young and old, as well as for human rights, the health of economies and the world's experiments in self-government.

     In its 2004 Plenary Session, the Academy considered the issue of changing intergenerational relations primarily from the point of view of their impact on the aged and infirm. Indeed, when one speaks of ‘vulnerable’ generations and of the need for greater intergenerational solidarity, public opinion usually assumes that one is referring to the aged. Among the conclusions of the 2004 meeting, however, were that the great demographic transitions of the late twentieth century have jeopardized the care of the very young as well as the frail elderly and other dependent persons.  The phenomenon was manifesting itself, in different forms, both in welfare states and in countries where government’s role in providing social services is minimal or non-existent.

     The Academy deplored the fact that the "welfare crisis" is typically discussed in terms of conflict, rather than solidarity, among the generations.  We also found it regrettable that little attention has been paid to an underlying crisis of meanings and values, and to the signs of increasing tension between the desires of adults and the needs of children (and child-raising families) in cultures that have grown more and more adult-centered.  At the conclusion of the 2004 conference, therefore, it seemed that a natural next step would be to pursue the topic by exploring the challenges for Church and society arising from the changed and uncertain position of children and young people.

     Accordingly, with this 2006 Plenary Session, the Academy will continue its intergenerational solidarity studies by focusing on those at the beginning stages of the life cycle, with a view toward analysing problems and finding solutions that shift probabilities in a more favourable direction for all concerned.

     As indicated by the reference to "human ecology" in the title of our first  Plenary Session on Intergenerational Solidarity, we take our bearings from the emphasis in Catholic social teaching on the importance of the environments that human beings require in order to flourish.  As John Paul II pointed out in Centesimus Annus, "In addition to the irrational destruction of the natural environment, we must also mention the more serious destruction of the human environment….Although people are rightly worried…about preserving the natural habitats of the various animal species…too little effort is made to safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic human ecology" (38).

     The 2006 Plenary Session will begin on Friday, April 28, with a General Introduction by Professor Donati.  Then, in keeping with the Academy's custom of beginning its study of each new topic with an examination of Catholic social teaching on the question under consideration, there will be a presentation on "The Gift of Life and our Responsibilities to Children and Young People" by Alfonso Cardinal Lopez Trujillo, President of the Pontifical Council on the Family.

     To help situate the issues within their contemporary economic, sociological and demographic contexts, the Academicians will next hear papers by experts in those fields.  Economist-Academicians Kenneth Arrow and Partha Dasgupta will speak on "Children, Young People and the Quality of Life in Developed and Developing Countries."  Professor John O'Neill of York University, Toronto, will provide a sociological perspective in his paper titled, "The Major Challenges Facing Children and Young People in a Globalising World."  Concluding the first day will be a discussion of "The Demographic Picture" by Rector Gérard-François Dumont of the University of Paris - Sorbonne.

     On Saturday, April 29, and Monday, May 1, the Academicians will hear a series of six regional reports on the actual situations of children and young people in Asia, Africa, East and West Europe, and Latin and North America. Saturday's program will begin with the Asian report by Academician Professor Mina Ramirez, followed by the African report by Academician Professor Paulus Zulu, the East European report by Professor Lubomir Mlcoch of Charles University, Prague, and the West European report by Academician Professor José Raga.

     The regional reports will continue on Monday, May 1, with papers on Latin America by Professor Mariano Grondona of Buenos Aires, and on North America by Academician Kevin Ryan, Professor Emeritus of Boston University.

     Following guidelines developed by Professor Donati, each regional reporter will discuss his or her country's situation with respect to:

-        (1) the birth rate and the prevailing attitudes towards babies and child-raising families;

-        (2) the impact of artificial human reproduction technologies on the culture of childhood;

-        (3) material needs of children and young people (health conditions, food, shelter, etc.);

-        (4) psychological needs of children and young people (safe environment, love and human fulfilment, etc.);

-        (5) relational needs of children and young people (the structures of families and the primary networks in which children live);

-        (6) educational needs of children and young people;

-        (7)  influence of the media on children and young people;

-        (8) the state of religious formation and education of children and young people;

-        (9) the socialisation patterns in families (stable, broken, reconstituted), foster care, primary care services, schools and other settings;

-        (10) the major difficulties in the transition to later stages of the life cycle (higher education, work, facilities to establish a family);

-        (11) children’s rights (child as citizen);

-        (12) social expenses devoted to children vis-à-vis other generations (esp. the elderly);

-        (13) voluntary associations dealing with  issues affecting children and young people;

-        (14) role of local communities in providing care to children and child-raising families;

-        (15) The influence of multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity. 

     After the regional reports, the conference will turn, in the afternoon of May 1, to a reflection and evaluation of "The Rights of Children and Minors in International Charters" by Academician Professor Ombretta Fumagalli Carulli. The participants will consider the extent to which the multiplication of supranational declarations, recommendations, and charters of rights in favour of minors is indicative of real progress in children's welfare, or the extent to which it is a sign of increased problems and shortcomingIn keeping with Academy's mandate to provide the Church with elements that may be useful in the development of her social teachings, the reports on the regional and international situations will be followed by two presentations on the implications of the conference material for the social magisterium.  These reflections assume particular significance owing to the fact that there has been relatively little direct discussion of the situations of young persons in the Church's social doctrine up to the present time.  Academician Msgr. Michel Schooyans's paper on "Implications for the Role of the Catholic Church and Catholic Organisations Worldwide", to be delivered in the afternoon of May 1, has been rendered especially timely in view of Pope Benedict XVI's emphasis on the charitable activities of the Church in his first encyclical, Deus caritas est, issued in January 2006.  This important discussion will continue on the final day of the conference, Tuesday, May 2, with the reflections of former Academician, now Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, on "Implications for the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church."

    The conference will end on Tuesday afternoon with three rounds of evaluation of the proceedings aimed at drawing conclusions:  reflections on the six regional reports from six young persons, one from each region, who have been invited to attend the Plenary Session as observers; concluding observations by the conference coordinator Professor Donati and Academy President Mary Ann Glendon, and general discussion among the members.

                                                                                ***

     On Sunday, April 30, the Academy will hold a special joint meeting with the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace to hear presentations and discussions of the Compendium of Catholic Social Doctrine recently issued by the Council.

                                                                               ***

Tentative programme for the second Plenary Session on

Intergenerational Solidarity and Human Ecology

Vanishing Youth?
Solidarity with Children and Young People in an Age of Turbulence

Thursday 27 April 2006

Friday 28 April 2006

Saturday 29 April 2006

Sunday 30 April 2006

Monday 1 May 2006

Tuesday 2 May 2006

***

PARTICIPANTS

ACADEMICIANS

Prof. Margaret S. Archer
THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Department of Sociology
COVENTRY CV4 7AL, Warwickshire (United Kingdom)

Prof. Kenneth Arrow
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
STANFORD, CA 94305-6072 (U.S.A.)

Prof. Belisario Betancur
FUNDACION SANTILLANA PARA IBEROAMÉRICA
Calle 80, N° 9 - 75, Apartado Aereo 3974
BOGOTÁ (Colombia)

Prof. RoccoButtiglione
Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali
Via del Collegio Romano, 27
I-00186 ROMA (Italy)

Prof. Partha S. Dasgupta
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Faculty of Economics and Politics
Austin Robinson Building - Sidgwick Avenue
CAMBRIDGE CB3 9DD (United Kingdom)

Prof. Pierpaolo Donati
UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA
Facoltà di Scienze Politiche
Dipartimento di Sociologia
Strada Maggiore, 45
I-40125 BOLOGNA (Italy)

Prof. Ombretta Fumagalli Carulli
UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE
Facoltà di Giurisprudenza
Largo A. Gemelli, 1
I-20123 MILANO (Italy)

President Prof. Mary Ann Glendon
President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
HARVARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Hauser Hall 504
1525 Massachusetts Avenue
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138 (U.S.A.)

Prof. Paul Kirchhof
Universität Heidelberg
Institut für Finanz- und Steuerrecht
Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 6 -10
D-69117 HEIDELBERG (Federal Republic of Germany)

Prof. Hsin-Chi Kuan
Chairman of the Department of Government & Public Administration
Faculty of Social Sciences
Third Floor, T.C. Cheng Building
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
United College, Shatin, New Territories
HONG KONG

Lic. Juan José Llach
Urquiza 875
(B1638BWC) Vicente Lopez
BUENOS AIRES (Argentina)

Mr. Justice Nicholas J. McNally
468 Dandaro Village, Borrowdale
HARARE (Zimbabwe)

Former President Prof. Edmond Malinvaud
CENTRE DE RECHERCHE EN ECONOMIE ET STATISTIQUE
15, boulevard Gabriel Péri
F-92245 MALAKOFF Cedex (France)

Prof. Pedro Morandé
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE
Decano de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales
Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 4860 - Casilla 306, Correo 22
SANTIAGO (Chile)

Prof. Vittorio Possenti
Dipartimento di Filosofia e Teoria delle Scienze
UNIVERSITÀ CA’ FOSCARI DI VENEZIA
Palazzo Nani Mocenigo
Dorsoduro 960
I-30213 VENEZIA (Italy)

Prof. José T. Raga
Paseo de la Castellana, 153 – 7°
28046 MADRID (Spain)

Prof. Mina Magpantay Ramirez
ASIAN SOCIAL INSTITUTE
Graduate School of Social Transformative Praxis
1518 Leon Guinto Street, Malate
MANILA 1004 (Philippines)

Prof. René Rémond
FONDATION NATIONALE DES SCIENCES POLITIQUES
27, rue Saint Guillaume
75337 PARIS Cedex 07 (France)

Prof. Kevin Ryan
20 Crafts Road
Chestnut Hill, MA
024678 MASSACHUSETTS (U.S.A.)

Prof. Louis Sabourin
UNIVERSITÉ DE QUÉBEC
École Nationale d'Administration Publique (GERFI)
4750, rue Henri-Julien
MONTRÉAL, Québec H2T 3E5 (Canada)

H.E. Msgr Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo
Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Casina Pio IV
V-00120 VATICAN CITY

Prof. Herbert Schambeck
UNIVERSITY OF LINZ
Institute for Public Law and Political Sciences
Juridicum A/4th floor,
A-4040 LINZ-AUHOF (Austria)

Rev. Mgr Prof. Michel Schooyans
Voie du Roman Pays, 31-101
B-1348 LOUVAIN-LA-NUEVE (Belgium)

Prof. Krzysztof Skubiszewski
Iran-United States Claims Tribunal,
Parkweg 13
NL-2585 JH DEN HAAG (The Netherlands)

Prof. Joseph Stiglitz
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY – Graduate School of Business
3022 Broadway, 814 Uris Hall
NEW YORK, NY 10027
Tel: +1 212 8541481/8540671– Fax: +1 212 6628474

H.E. Ambassador Hanna Suchocka
Ambasciata della Polonia presso la Santa Sede
Via dei Delfini, 16, int. 3
I-00186 ROMA (Italy)

Prof. Dr. Dr. Hans Tietmeyer
Präsident der DEUTSCHEN BUNDESBANK i.R.
Reichenbachweg 15B
D-61462 KÖNIGSTEIN (Federal Republic of Germany)
Tel: +49 61747021 - Fax: +49 61747022

Prof. Bedřich Vymětalík
Advocate Office
Lískovecká 2089
738 01 FRYDEK-MISTEK (Czech Republic)

Prof. Hans F. Zacher
MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FÜR AUSLANDISCHES
UND INTERNATIONALES SOZIALRECHT
Amalienstrasse 33,
D-80799 MUNICH (Federal Republic of Germany)

Prof. Paulus Zulu
Director, Maurice Webb Race Relations Unit
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
King George V Avenue
4041 DURBAN, Natal (South Africa)

STIFTUNG

Dr. Dr. Herbert Batliner
Aeulestrasse 74
FL-9490 VADUZ (Principality of Liechtenstein)

Mr. Cornelius G. Fetsch
Rahmerstrasse 34
D-40489 DUSSELDORF (Federal Republic of Germany)

Dr. Martin Strimitzer
Präsident des Bundesrates i.R.
Kirchstrasse 49
A-6091 GÖTZENS, Tirol (Austria)

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

H.E. Msgr Giampaolo Crepaldi
Segretario del Pontificio Consiglio "Iustitia et Pax"
Palazzo S. Calisto
V-00120 CITTA’ DEL VATICANO

OUTSIDE EXPERTS

Mrs. Cherie Blair, Q.C.
10 Downing Street
LONDON SW1A 2AA (United Kingdom)

Prof. Gérard-François Dumont
UNIVERSITE DE PARIS-SORBONNE
191, rue Saint-Jacques,
75005 PARIS (France) 

Prof. Mariano Grondona
Juez Tedin 2995
1425 BUENOS AIRES (Argentina)

H.E. Card. Alfonso López Trujillo
Presidente, Pontificio Consiglio per la Famiglia
Piazza S. Calisto, 16
V-00120 CITTA’ DEL VATICANO

H.E. Msgr. Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop’s House
Drumcondra
DUBLIN 9 (Ireland)

Prof. Lubomír Mlčoch
CHARLES UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute for Economic Studies
Opletalova 26,
110 00 PRAGUE (Czech Republic)

John O'Neill
Distinguished Research Professor of Sociology
227 Founders College,
YORK UNIVERSITY
TORONTO M3J 1P3 (Canada)

H.E. Msgr. Stanislaw Ryłko
Presidente, Pontificio Consiglio per i Laici
Piazza S. Calisto, 16
V-00120 CITTÀ DEL VATICANO