PROSPERING IN PEACE Senator Emilio Colombo at the Conference Hall of the Italian House of Parliament, introducing a lecture on peace by Prem Rawat i
PEACE, SOCIETY AND INSTITUTIONS The late Senator Emilio Colombo was a key figure in Italian history and in European integration. One of the founding fathers of the Italian Republic, he has also been the country s Prime Minister. With his natural disposition for mediation, he contributed significantly to the creation of the European Union, which he viewed as an unmissable opportunity to help build a world of peace. He played an essential role in the integration of France in the Community and also contributed to peace negotiations in Africa and the Middle East. He has been President of the European Parliament. For his work in favor of the integration of peoples and cultures he has received many important international awards. His awareness of the importance of peace led him to deeply appreciate the vision and work of Prem Rawat, a tireless ambassador of peace he met in 2004, with whom he maintained a very friendly relationship sharing a commonality of intent. He promoted the work of The Prem Rawat Foundation toward Italian and European institutional forums. In 2011 Senator Colombo promoted the Brussels Declaration "Pledge to Peace", an initiative inspired by Prem Rawat and organized by the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Gianni Pittella. His first personal encounter with Prem Rawat took place at the conference "Peace, a Message without Boundaries" at the conference hall of the Italian House of Parliament. On that occasion, Hon. Colombo introduced Mr. Rawat s keynote address, linking individual and social peace and the role of institutions in a concise and masterful analysis.
Our individual efforts Ladies and gentlemen, honorable Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, all of us seek to contribute, in our own ways, to the improving of the world in which we live, both as individuals and as members of different institutions. We try to use our best abilities and to apply our best policies in order to provide each one of us, and the world around us, with living conditions that would allow us to prosper in peace and lead a fulfilled existence. 3
Yet, very often we are limited and trapped by our selfishness, by our weaknesses, by feeling powerless. Very often, in the effort of pursuing this vision we direct our primary attention to society at large, to institutions, governments, international organizations, relationships between nations. But there is a different perspective that starts emerging, still hardly perceived, which directs the attention towards the Human Being, every single human being, as an actor of peace. We are reminded of this perspective in the preamble to the UNESCO constitution, which declares: 4
Definitions of peace Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. In our contemplations about peace, very often we encounter two main definitions of it, belonging to our Christian cultural roots: peace as tranquillitas ordinis, the tranquillity of social order. Or as opus iustitiae pax, peace as the work of justice. But can there be tranquillitas, tranquillity, in external things, before existing in the heart of Man and guiding his actions? And how could any endeavor exist for justice between Men and between Nations without it having deep roots in each person and in each person s heart? 5
An inner seed And here, the ideals of peace and human fulfillment meet the vision and the work of Prem Rawat. He looks at peace not only as the absence of war but, above all, as a disposition of the inner self. A seed which needs to germinate, grow and bear fruit in the heart of Man. Of every man. 6
His words provide an occasion for deep reflection, and they deserve to be heard, because they are an invitation to explore, evaluate and express the values residing within us treasures very often ignored or utterly neglected. What he describes is a journey of exploration. And ultimately, we all need to undertake this journey and let it gradually unfold within us. Only then we will be able to project peace outside. Rome, July 7th, 2004 7
In memory of Senator Emilio Colombo, builder of bridges and prominent advocate of the cause of peace. Percorsi Association Images: Ara Pacis, Rome, Italy Published by Percorsi Association in collaboration with The Prem Rawat Foundation 8