The National Assembly of MIR Italy was held in Florence (Villa Morghen, Settignano) – from 25 to 27 April – during which the activities of the local branches and groups, the President’s report, the national and international activities, as well as the definition of prospects and guidelines for the next two years were discussed.

Among the statutory duties on the agenda, in addition to the approval of the financial statements, the social offices were also renewed. New members of the National Council and Secretariat were elected, while the Treasurer, National President and Vice President were reconfirmed.

Among the main decisions taken by the Assembly was a national launch of the Conscientious Objection campaign and a re-launch of the campaign on the ecopacifist project, including a debate with other associations and public information, publicity and awareness-raising initiatives.

In addition to continuing the usual territorial mobilisations against wars, military spending and rearmament, to which disarmament and non-armed and nonviolent forms of defence must be opposed, the M.I.R. Italy will promote new initiatives of counter-information and opposition not only to nuclear armaments, but also to the resumption in Italy of nuclear power.

The M.I.R. will reinforce its current action for the peace education and against the militarisation of schools, officially joining the Observatory against the Militarisation of Schools and Universities, with which it was already collaborating.

In expressing its condolences for the death of Pope Francis – in whose evangelical magisterium M.I.R. Italy recognises itself – it will finally continue its contacts with other ecclesial realities and spiritual movements, in an ecumenical key and FOR a confirmation of the trinomial: justice, peace and safeguarding of creation.

Ermete Ferraro, President, M.I.R. Italy