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Tourism is a major source of revenue and employment, particularly for the developing nations of the world. But climate change and global warming are risking to dry up the source, mainly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The crisis is considered so serious that it is the theme of the UN international meeting that will take place at the end of the month in Peru.
Waseda University in Tokyo is opening Japan’s first graduate school of journalism. The school’s program was patterned largely upon that of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, in New York (U.S.A.), and similar programs in other schools overseas.
Even recognizing the contribution mass media make to the modern world, Benedict XVI pointed some dangers of their sometimes unrestricted power. And warned: “The media can also present and support models of development which serve to increase rather than reduce the technological divide between rich and poor countries.”
Catholic media – even when they have a wider circulation than secular media – do not seem to have a great impact on society at a larger scale. Why? The answer is simple. Much too often, our media speak to the Church, forgetting to evangelize society. There is plenty to do to reach people where it counts: in their mentality, in their social attitudes, in offering possible alternatives enlightened by the Gospel.
Information is everywhere − at our homes or in the streets; in traditional newspapers and magazines, in television and radio, in the ads or in the web, in our PC’s, laptops or even mobile phones. For the first time in history, we all live in a “global village” where, wherever we are, we can follow a war in the East, an election in the West or a storm or a flood in the South. Almost at the same moment they are happening.
Inculturation is often understood as a process related only with liturgy or a sort of “cosmetic folklore.” But, really, it is an inevitable personal process. Each person is a microcosm. In each one of us, there is a unique interpretation of faith, unique inculturation of the inexhaustible fullness of God in Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The FAO-hosted, high-level summit gathered, last June in Rome, 150 world leaders and representatives of 237 major organizations to debate the food security crisis. The summit was marked not only by many promises but also by a heated discussion about the role of biofuels in the skyrocketing prices, a controversial insistence over the agricultural market liberalization demanded by the World Trade Organization – and lots of skepticism.
The Pope urged the Church to promote cultural development in this era of fast globalization. And gave an example of the challenges the world is facing: “The Philippines, considered a Christian country, is more subjected to globalization standards than Gospel influence.”
Dialogue of faith, cultural dialogue. For Asia, all levels of dialogue are relevant. However, given the minority situation of Christians in Asia, the most effective will be the dialogue of life and common concerns. It is here that our witness will be tangible and effective.
Through work, community life and prayer, youth are being rescued from drugs, alcohol and other self-destructive dependence in Fazenda da Esperança in Masbate. Broken lives are made whole and acquiring new faith and hope.
