For me, Reconciliation is above all an attitude of hope and of unity. Reconciliation cannot enter into a world where the law is the survival of the fittest, and where the big fish eats the smaller one. Latin America, and especially Peru, is made up of young nations living in the ambivalence of two worlds, trying to unite our own development with the development of the industrialised countries of the first world. This is also a form of reconciliation - to strive for harmony between two very different approaches to life.

Nonetheless, we see that although one speaks a great deal about reconciliation, the channels of communication which link peoples are not engaged in this work of building fraternity.

Throughout the world, television carelessly transmits images of drugs, sex and violence. The press also try to captivate the masses even if this is through scandal and filth. This bombardment WITHOUT IDEAS NOR IDEALS, is absorbed by children and youth, the aim being to convert them to the desire for easy money and material objects. Words like "friendship", "respect", "dignity" are objects of scorn. When one reads everything I have just said one can despair, or then again one need not.

Working for good is always something which doesn't seek publicity or "ratings". This is why it is important to spread ideals among the young. Active charity and solidarity. We need to create tasks which require energy and action. Today's youth are educated TO DO THINGS. They are used to this active life and we must meet them on their own terms. It would be wonderful to start a project of communication between the youth of Peru and other countries so that they can form a strong chain where Sacre-Coeur ideas are the impulse and the goal.

In us also it isn't easy to keep this in mind sometimes because we are surrounded by indifference, but I believe if we say some things often enough they will be heard by some.

Let us see if we and you can become creative, in order to achieve PRACTICAL RECONCILIATION.

Reconciliation is at all levels, social, religious, political and ethnic. The world is too large and too beautiful to be filled with intolerance.

Emilia Arietta - President - Peru