Catholics highlight rich world poverty

-10/11/04

The Italian section of the leading int


Catholics highlight rich world poverty

-10/11/04

The Italian section of the leading international Catholic charity, Caritas, has renewed its warning of a risk of increasing social unrest as 7 million young and old ënew poorí – 12% of the population – live below the breadline in the seventh richest industrial economy in the world.

With an industrial and consumer slump since 9/11 and unemployment running at 8.4% (including 27% of under-25s) across Italy, the charity reports with alarm that an increasing number of people who would previously have been self-sufficient are turning to it for help.

The warning coincides with an outbreak of looting in Rome last weekend. A group of left-wing activists staged a ëproletarian shopping spreeí, robbing high street stores in a protest against the division between rich and poor brought about, they say, by globalisation.

A more peaceful international initiative, backed by Christians and others, is ëNo Shopping Dayí, due for the last Friday of November. The Media Foundation and Adbusters (from British Columbia, Canada) are inviting consumers to give their desire to buy and buy a rest, at least for 24 hours.

Besides highlighting the plight of the poor in a consumer society, Caritas Italy has also recently reported on social exclusion and justice for immigrants. It provides practical social aid in Italy and beyond.

Caritas International is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working in over 200 countries and territories. It is one of the worldís largest humanitarian networks.


Catholics highlight rich world poverty

-10/11/04

The Italian section of the leading international Catholic charity, Caritas, has renewed its warning of a risk of increasing social unrest as 7 million young and old ënew poorí – 12% of the population – live below the breadline in the seventh richest industrial economy in the world.

With an industrial and consumer slump since 9/11 and unemployment running at 8.4% (including 27% of under-25s) across Italy, the charity reports with alarm that an increasing number of people who would previously have been self-sufficient are turning to it for help.

The warning coincides with an outbreak of looting in Rome last weekend. A group of left-wing activists staged a ëproletarian shopping spreeí, robbing high street stores in a protest against the division between rich and poor brought about, they say, by globalisation.

A more peaceful international initiative, backed by Christians and others, is ëNo Shopping Dayí, due for the last Friday of November. The Media Foundation and Adbusters (from British Columbia, Canada) are inviting consumers to give their desire to buy and buy a rest, at least for 24 hours.

Besides highlighting the plight of the poor in a consumer society, Caritas Italy has also recently reported on social exclusion and justice for immigrants. It provides practical social aid in Italy and beyond.

Caritas International is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working in over 200 countries and territories. It is one of the worldís largest humanitarian networks.