The Polyhedron for Peace Continues to Renew Hopes, Highlighting and Linking the Peace Promoters
More than 200 people attended the second edition of the "Polyhedron for Peace" distinction. Its name is inspired by the message of Pope Francis, which promotes unity respecting diversity by linking and recognizing those who work for Peace. The event, organized by the National Justice and Peace Commission (CNJP), an organism of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA), was based in the San Martín Palace of the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
More and more organizations are joining in the distinction of the Polyhedron for Peace, an act of bonding that expands generating hope. Opening the ceremony, the president of the National Justice and Peace Commission, Engineer Emilio Inzaurraga and the president of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Oscar Ojea, gave words of reflection.
After asking for a minute for Peace, Inzaurraga said, "To build peace, much more value is needed than to build war," and added: "Isn't it time to move forward in national agreements that express consensus with a broad and generous look, in the current reality, leaving aside petty interests? Isn't it really time to put our country on our shoulders, to work together, in favor of the weakest, on issues that we have not been able to resolve in recent decades?”
Meanwhile, Monsignor Ojea invited those present to echo what the encyclical Laudato si transmits, which through the message of the Holy Father invites us to "move from the technocratic paradigm to the care paradigm," and added:
"The paradigm of care proposed by the Holy Father proposes that we can draw the experience of linking from the deepest part of us. We must move on to a relational paradigm, with the ability to truly link with reality. This year's motto is to overcome indifference and conquer peace."
It was a night of emotions, reflection and common desires where the effort and values of many who work for Peace were highlighted, demonstrating the desire to change the current reality and contribute to renew the hopes of the people through dialogue and social friendship.
The Polyhedron for Peace was delivered in six categories, one of which was "Coexistence and Social Friendship."
Bridge Builders was recognized in the "Coexistence and Social Friendship" category. Bridge Builders is a program created in 2009 by URI and two faith-based organizations, and coordinated by three women of three different faiths (Marisa Bergman, Nancy Falcón and Maria Crespo). This program, which is also a URI Cooperation Circle (member group), was awarded the Polyhedron for Peace for its efforts to connect people of all religions, promoting among themselves constructive relations of understanding and trust in shared spaces of study and solidarity action.
One aspect to highlight is that this award was given to three women, whereas these spaces are usually open to religious leaders - usually men. The photographs here show Marisa Bergman and Nancy Falcon, who are co-coordinators of the program along with Maria Crespo (abs.), and Maria Bargo, who has been a participant of the program since its beginning.
JURY 2019
The Jury of the Polyhedron for Peace was made up of: Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize; Fernando Maletti, titular Bishop of the diocese of Merlo-Moreno and member of the Episcopal Commission of Social Pastoral; Odino Faccia, Argentine singer-songwriter and founder of the VOZ Network for PEACE; María Eugenia Di Paola, Coordinator of the Environment and Sustainable Development Program for the United Nations Development Program; María Lopes Dos Santos, Reverend; Alfredo Abriani, Secretary of Worship of the Nation; Aníbal Bachin Bakir, President of the Islamic Center of the Argentine Republic; Agustín Salvia, Director of the Observatory of Social Debt of the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA); Guillermo Fernández, National Vice President of ACIERA; Lorena Echagüe, Manager of Sustainable Procurement of UNILEVER; and Walberto Allende, President of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace.
