Address to Participants in the 36th Specialised Course

ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER
POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 36th SPECIALISED COURSE
ON TECHNICAL SERVICES AND BUSINESS POLICIES

Friday, 3 July 1998

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to extend my cordial welcome to you at the conclusion of a specialized course on technical services and business policies. I greet Prof. Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, President of the Institute for Industrial Reconstruction, and I thank him for his kind words.

Rapid and profound changes are transforming relations between individuals and nations in our time. Of particular importance is the phenomenon of a globalized economy which is creating unprecedented scenarios with unique opportunities for planning and development but also with the risk of serious injustice to the poorer countries. In this context, rather than a duty, solidarity is a necessity that derives from the objective network of relationships and the need to put productive processes at the service of man. The useful initiative, promoted by IRI together with the Consortium for International Training, for training technical and managerial staff to assist developing countries in transition towards a market economy is intended to respond to this requirement.

In expressing my appreciation, I hope that an atmosphere of attention and dialogue established during the course may be a meaningful premise of increasingly respectful and peaceful relations among peoples. With these sentiments I invoke on each one of you and on your families the blessing of God, generous giver of every good.