Nobel Prize Laureates Unite in Declaration on Human Fraternity

A gathering of around 30 Nobel Prize winners issued a powerful declaration on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of human fraternity and calling on all individuals of goodwill to embrace their appeal. Inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical "Fratelli tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship," the Nobel laureates convened on the World Day of Human Fraternity to express their shared vision.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/12/2023 (1 year ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Nobel, Vatican, declaration, human, fraternity

The declaration emphasized the profound interconnectedness of humanity, stating, "Every man is our brother, every woman is our sister, always. We want all to live together, as brothers and sisters in the Garden that is the Earth. The Garden of fraternity is the condition for all life."

Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi social entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, underscored the urgency of the event, asserting that the world is currently on a misguided path. In an interview with Vatican Radio, Yunus stated, "So somebody has to raise the voice that we are going in the wrong way. We need to redesign and shift our destination to bring peace and create a new world rather than the world that we have built today."

The final Declaration echoed Yunus' call for change, rejecting violence, discrimination, and oppression. It demanded an end to armed conflicts, nuclear weapons, forced migrations, ethnic cleansing, dictatorships, corruption, and slavery. Additionally, it advocated for prioritizing fraternity over technological development, denouncing the manipulation of technology and artificial intelligence.

Yunus emphasized the role of religion in promoting unity amidst diverse interests and encouraged the Vatican to play a significant role in reshaping humanity's trajectory. He acknowledged the importance of religions in human life and called for their active contribution to fostering fraternity. Yunus expressed optimism about Pope Francis' leadership in advancing this cause.

Tawakkol Karman, a journalist and Nobel laureate recognized for her non-violent struggle for women's rights, also participated in the event. She stressed the duty to support and work for human fraternity, emphasizing the need to redefine peace as collaboration, support, and solidarity.

Karman emphasized the responsibility of journalists and human rights defenders to amplify the voices of those oppressed under authoritarian regimes. She urged world leaders, including Pope Francis, to refrain from legitimizing tyrannies that divide societies and undermine fundamental values.

The World Day for Human Fraternity served as a crucial platform to address critical issues facing the human family. Karman emphasized that it was not merely about spreading messages but amplifying them. She called for support for individuals striving for freedom, justice, democracy, and peace, rather than those who undermine these values.

The gathering of Nobel laureates underscored the urgency of building a peaceful, just, and united world. By signing the Declaration on Human Fraternity, they emphasized the collective responsibility to create a future where peace, justice, and equality prevail, benefitting the entire human family.