1322 Catholic communicators from around the world seek ways to diminish violence
austraLasia 1322

Catholic communicators from around the world seek ways to diminish violence
The 'Lyon Declaration'

LYON: 9th November 2005 -- 'Media for a culture of peace' is the title of what will otherwise be known as the Lyon Declaration, a statement by nearly 200 media professionals from 70 nations gathered in Lyon, France, under the aegis of SIGNIS the World Catholic Association for Communication.  The Salesian representative, Fr Peter Gonsalves, sdb.org web coordinator, is in attendance at the meeting and is expected to become the President of the World Association when delegates meet separately at the end of the Media for Peace meeting.
    The Lyon Declaration "Call[s] for a fundamental change in the way we communicate through the media centred anew in our capacity to live with each other as we contribute to a world of peace, respect and solidarity".  The declaration tackles a definition of peace or rather the non-definition as 'absence of conflict', pointing out that peace is a way of resolving conflict. It neatly establishes a theological basis for peace (God's gift), then develops at length the 'mediator' role of media.  This is more than a play on words.  The declaration states precisely how media and Catholic media personnel in particular, can contribute to a culture of peace: by developing media's capacity to put individuals, groups and people into communication with each other, by supporting the independence of media in conflict situations, by being alert to the role of media in conflicts.  The statement concludes by remembering those media professionals who have lost their lives carrying out a prophetic service in the above areas.  Further reference can be made to www.signis.net
    Ironically, the Media for a Culture of Peace conference had to be relocated from Lebanon due to recent instability there.
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