The Family Global Compact from Universities to the world

On November 14, an online meeting organized by REDIUF - International Network of University Institutes for the Family - was held. It brought together more than 130 professors and directors of institutes and centers for the Family, which belong to about 40 Catholic universities scattered throughout the 5 continents, all members of REDIUF.

10 projects on Family Global Compact agenda items

The event, coordinated by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, aimed at launching a major academic study and research project, starting with ten projects that were presented during the meeting on behalf of some of the institutes, and which are among the agenda points for universities suggested by the Family Global Compact, which was launched by the Holy Father on May 30 and promoted by the Dicastery and the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences.

The projects embrace topics ranging from the importance of supportive and close-knit relationships generated by families, the importance of family relations, the empowerment of motherhood and fatherhood in the workplace, the supportive action that can be generated by the family to manage vulnerable situations, family accompaniment, and preconception care for adolescent girls. During the meeting, applications were put forward from the various institutes for collaboration at the inter-academic level on the various projects (which include university courses and master's degrees), also with a view to greater internationalization of research, according to the quality standards required by the universities themselves.

Generating analytical and visionary skills on issues concerning life and family for younger generations

There are true "gaps of expertise" in the field of more recent studies - pointed out Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery, in her speech - on issues that require further study in a transdisciplinary and transnational way. This is to provide new epistemological capacities, to more deeply understand the challenges around the family, and to develop issues that can respond to the anxieties generated in debates and in the public on these topics. It is necessary to generate an analytical and visionary insight on the issues of life and family in the new generations, through training courses, research and publications in economics, law, philosophy, and bioethics, which will make them rediscover the interest and added value of these issues for the common good and, ultimately, for the integral development of people.

Christian academic thinking and pastoral action of the Church, together

Concreteness, immediate feasibility of projects, leadership of REDIUF in coordinating working groups to ensure continuity and perseverance in the pursuit of objectives are the keywords of this great commitment of those who join the network, whose corollary is the practical implementation of a synergy between Christian academic thought and pastoral action of the universal Church and the particular Churches.

The next step will be to think together about formulas for permanent collaboration between Catholic universities and family ministry, both at the diocesan and bishops' conference levels, to provide training materials and tools for pastors and lay people engaged in proclaiming the Gospel of Life and the Family.