International Catholic Peasant and Rural Association

The International Catholic Rural Association ( en . : International Catholic Rural Association , abbreviation: ICRA; it . : Associazione Rurale Cattolica Internazionale ) is an agricultural Catholic association of believers . It was founded in Rome in 1962 and recognized by the Holy See as an International Catholic Organization in 1965 . The NGO is an advisory member of the ECOSOC of the UN and UNESCO .

history

During an international meeting of Catholic agronomists and agricultural workers in Rome in 1962, the idea of founding an organization developed that could represent a connecting element between research institutes , corporations , foundations , communities and Catholic movements. The "International Peasant and Rural Association" came into being, which was recognized as an International Catholic Organization in 1965 and was included in the official register of the Pontifical Council for the Laity .

Self-image

Based on and in close association with Catholic social teaching and true to the Gospel , the association advocates the spread of a spirit of solidarity in agriculture. In order to achieve these goals, it stands up for the poorer rural population and strives for global social growth and for a human common good . Essentially, the association organizes congresses and training courses, and in 2014 it is involved in the organization and implementation of the “Year of Family Farms 2014” proclaimed by the United Nations

Organization and expansion

The general assembly is formed from the representatives of the individual organization from the 62 member communities currently belonging to it; it is the highest organ. It is responsible for all decision-making powers and it elects the President, his representative, the General Secretary and the General Council from among its ranks. The General Council is the highest executive body and implements the resolutions of the General Assembly.It consists of the President, the Vice-Presidents (one Vice-President per continent), the Secretary General, the Church Assistant , a youth coordinator and other representatives from the member communities. The member communities unite around 7 million agricultural workers, they come from 54 countries and are represented as follows: Africa (6), Asia (16), Europe (15), North America (6) and South America (11). The headquarters are located in the Vatican , the association publishes the two-month bulletin "Icra-Information" in English, French and Italian.

literature

The Spiritual Communities of the Catholic Church - Compendium (No. 17, International Peasant and Rural Association, pp. 63–64), St. Benno-Verlag , Leipzig , 204, ISBN 3-7462-1995-7

Web links

Individual evidence

↑ NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC: General Consultative Status Archived copy ( Memento from May 6, 2003 in the Internet Archive )
^ "The International Catholic Rural Association held their first African Continent regional assembly in Kampala, Uganda from September 21-24, 2005. The three-day forum featured presentations by Catholic organizations active in education, agriculture and rural development throughout Uganda. The planning and success of the assembly was due to members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. " Archive link ( Memento from October 13, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
↑ On Wednesday (November 21, 2013) Pope Francis paid tribute to the achievements of rural families around the world at the general audience. Your work as a “worker of creation” deserves respect, said the Pope with a view to the “Year of Family Farms 2014”, which the United Nations intends to officially open this Friday. He hoped the motto year will help appreciate the innumerable services the family provides to the economic, social, cultural and moral growth of the whole human community, the Pope said. The strength of family farms is often a sustainable form of agriculture. Vincenzo Conso deals with this aspect in an interview with Vatican Radio; he is general secretary of the International Catholic Rural Association (Icra). [1]
↑ 2014 International Year of Family Farms [2]

[1] NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC: General Consultative Status Archived copy ( Memento from May 6, 2003 in the Internet Archive )

[2] "The International Catholic Rural Association held their first African Continent regional assembly in Kampala, Uganda from September 21-24, 2005. The three-day forum featured presentations by Catholic organizations active in education, agriculture and rural development throughout Uganda. The planning and success of the assembly was due to members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. " Archive link ( Memento from October 13, 2014 in the Internet Archive )

[3] On Wednesday (November 21, 2013) Pope Francis paid tribute to the achievements of rural families around the world at the general audience. Your work as a “worker of creation” deserves respect, said the Pope with a view to the “Year of Family Farms 2014”, which the United Nations intends to officially open this Friday. He hoped the motto year will help appreciate the innumerable services the family provides to the economic, social, cultural and moral growth of the whole human community, the Pope said. The strength of family farms is often a sustainable form of agriculture. Vincenzo Conso deals with this aspect in an interview with Vatican Radio; he is general secretary of the International Catholic Rural Association (Icra). [1]

[4] 2014 International Year of Family Farms [2]