Social Statute

CODE OF ETHICS

a) One of the main causes of the world’s disturbances (in various ways manifested) is the enormous economic, cultural and civil development imbalances of the world’s population; it is the moral duty of everyone, as well as intelligent defence action, within the limits of their own possibilities (time and material), to make a small contribution, in the full knowledge that we can do little individually but with equal confidence that the attitude of surrender in the face of the enormity of the problem is not a rational response (but often a justification). In the history of humanity, civil progress has been achieved by those who stubbornly have not been frightened by the apparent impossibility of change.

b) People who today delinquent and create serious problems and social costs (of all kinds) have often been children without good guidance and who have not had adults with adequate capacity to educate them and direct them towards balanced growth with moral and ethical principles. We must therefore be concerned not to make the mistake of trying only to repress delinquency, without instead taking care to prevent similar situations in children who, growing up in degraded environments, have a sad future.

c) The existence of discrimination (only those who try them can fully understand them) are an indicator of the evolution of a civilization/population. In many places there is also discrimination, sometimes only latent, of gender and women suffer abuse and succumb, often without reacting to culture and weak protections. In fact, it should be noted that women are the most active half of humanity: they care for the family, they work in the fields and factories, too often they have to endure physical and psychological violence. It is enough to read the world’s statistics relating to the prison world to admit that “evil” (theft, robberies, crimes, violence) comes almost exclusively from males. By the way, as Dante Alighieri (New Life) discovered, women are the keepers of Love in its highest sense of sacrifice for the beloved. And this is almost never recognized by the male world. It is almost to be thought that in the most socially evolved countries it is not women who have achieved equality, but men who have reached the level of female thought and behaviour.

d) Without adequate education and a consequent cultural basis (in all its senses) people do not have a real opportunity to choose the setting of their own life, becoming easy prey for deviations. Therefore, culture (which has a wealth of general and special knowledge that can best lead to the improvement of the quality of life and also to the satisfaction of the innate human aspiration of knowing the mechanisms and secrets of life itself) must be encouraged and supported in every way.

e) The family is a basic asset for the balanced growth of people, and children in particular; where families are dismembered, the greater the chances of deviations. The disintegration of families is already very likely in modern civilisation (with the consequent effects seen in children) but in poor or developing countries there are not even social, psychological and cultural support. Families are often dismembered because one of the parents, or both, travels abroad to find sustenance. Children are left at the mercy of relatives. in turn not endowed with the necessary means and culture. Creating work in the areas of origin, so that parents can return to rebuilding families is a great result of civilisation.

f) Those with experience, skills and/or financial means can contribute to the solution of the problems mentioned above by devoting time and resources, both directly and by supporting the many people/organisations who seriously carry out this activity.

g) It is useful to fully aware that the mere accumulation of wealth and goods contrasts with the inevitable temporal limitation of life and that children are better off leaving spiritual and moral inheritance than just material goods. It is also useful to set up life without excess, using its own resources (often surplus, for a normal life) to alleviate the suffering of others, especially children (in view of the principles expressed in the previous points).

h) Rich countries (and now also developing countries, easy prey to uncontrolled capitalism) base their lives on unbridled consumerism that is advocated as a means of achieving the happiness of individuals (often manipulated as pure consumers and no longer as members of a society). GDP is indicated as the only benchmark. This is leading to, in addition to an unprecedented economic crisis due to lack of balance, a growing decline in moral, ethical and environmental principles (overwhelmed by the exasperated search for gains). Developing countries, not having an adequate base of cultured citizens or leaving only now of situations of great economic or political hardship, fall even more easily and quickly into the trap of unbridled consumerism. It is undoubtedly pleasant to buy goods but the same activity can be dedicated, with even greater satisfaction, to people in need, while still trying to teach moderation and balance.l) The need and pleasure of transferring principles, values and experience to young people (Socrates docet) is inherent in man; only in this way can humanity count on a constant, albeit mild (and periodically interrupted by decadences), growth of civilization (in its common sense that includes democracy, respect, intelligent solidarity, etc…).

i) Charity should be done intelligently, taking advantage of our experience to give opportunities for balanced growth; the pure giving of goods and money should be reserved for extreme cases and survival while the stimulus of work initiatives should be preferred. Charity through the creation of work activities has the double advantage of satisfying the recipient as well as the great value of encouraging people to develop their skills and creativity (which will then be used independently).

l) It is inherent in Human being (man) the need and the pleasure to transfer the knowledge to young people (Socrates docet) as principles, values and experience; only in this way the humanity can count on a constant, albeit slight (and periodically interrupted by decay), growth of civilization (in its common meaning that includes democracy, respect, intelligent solidarity, etc. …).

m) We owe a great deal to the people who before us have struggled to allow us to live in a democratic society and, for many of us, with good possibilities for individual development (although in the current context of decadence of values) it is therefore a moral and civil duty to contribute to this human chain where “few conscious do for many” without expecting rewards or recognition but only for the feeling inherent in man that “a thing does because it feels that it must be done”.

n) Small things, when done with dedication, scruples and seriousness, can – as well as grow spontaneously to much larger dimensions (with the constant attention to keep their inspiring principles unscathed) – also serve as an example for institutions and institutions of how one can intervene in a effective and balanced way on the big issues.

o) It is very often true that, as Amnesty International argues, poverty is not an inevitable or permanent condition but is the result of injustice, discrimination and violence. It is the consequence of human rights violations that erase people’s dignity and prevent them from living in adequate housing, receiving essential medical care and having an unrepaired environment around them. Without human rights, poverty will not be overcome. Those who have dignity can help others conquer it.

p) The system of aid to the poor developed by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus (microcredit and social enterprise) is well expressed in the book “A World Without Poverty” – published in Italy by Feltrinell – has shown excellent results; it can be used in so many realities and situations.

q) The silent example is worth a thousand words.

All the above are prescinded from religious belief, while corresponding to the general principles underlying the main religions, as they are perfectly shared by so many people who are alien to spiritual aspects but still linked to moral principles inherent in the human soul.