PLENARY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES ACADEMY OPENS TODAY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 2, 2003 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, under the presidency of Edmond Malinvaud of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in Paris, opened its ninth plenary session this morning in the Vatican. Most of the 35 academicians, who come from all over the world and are specialists in one or more fields, are expected to attend.

According to a communique from the academy, it "was founded in 1994 by Pope John Paul II with the aim of promoting the study and progress of social, economic, political and legal sciences, therefore providing the Church with useful elements to further study and develop its social doctrine. After tackling two important topics - first, labor and employment, in the 1996, 1997 and 1999 sessions and then democracy, in the 1998 and 2000 sessions - the academy has begun to examine globalization."

This is a topic dear to the Holy Father, adds the press release, who, in 1997, told academy members: "We must acknowledge that in the framework of a 'globalized' economy, the ethical and legal regulation of the market is objectively more difficult. Indeed, the political initiatives of individual countries are not sufficient to implement it effectively; therefore, a dialogue is necessary among the great nations as well as the consolidation of a world democratic order, with institutions that represent equally all the interests of the entire human family."

The press release notes that for the 2003 plenary "the academy has decided to adopt in succession the various points of view expressed on this topic by political sciences, law, philosophy, sociology and economics."

The morning session today was opened by Archbishop Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the dicastery that directly follows the work of the academy. This afternoon will be devoted to the point of view of jurists and will be chaired by Harvard law professor, Mary Ann Glendon.

On Saturday, May 3 the morning will be dedicated to ethical and philosophical perspectives and the afternoon session will focus on the point of view of sociologists. The scientific point of view will again be studied on May 5 in the afternoon. On the final day, May 6, there will be a look at the economists' point of view in the morning and a summary of the plenary's work in the closing session.

ACAD-SS;PLENARY; GLOBALIZATION;...;...;VIS;20030502;Word: 380;