His Holiness Patriarch Kirill: “Effective business must be socially responsible”
On November 7, 2011, in the Red Hall of the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with participants in the international symposium “Ethical Aspects of Banking and the Social Role of Banks: the Experience of Russia and Italy,” Patriarchy.Ru reports.
On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church, the meeting was attended by Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations, and P.A. Shashkin, Executive Secretary of the Expert Council “Economics and Ethics” under the Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The Roman Catholic Church was represented by the former head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Cardinal Paul Pupar and the first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Russian Federation, Monsignor Vizvaldas Kulbokas. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Russia Antonio Dzanardi Landi and Minister Counselor of the Embassy D. Yanuzzi participated from the Italian Embassy in Russia.
From the Russian banking community, the president of the Association of Russian Banks G.A. Tosunyan, the vice president of Alfa Bank G.Yu. Fomina, the president of the All-Russian public organization of small and medium-sized enterprises “Support of Russia”, the vice-president of Sberbank of Russia OJSC participated in the conversation S.R. Borisov, President of the Club of Orthodox Entrepreneurs A.I. Ageev; from the Italian business community - Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBI Bank C. Fayssola with his wife, head of the UBI Bank representative office in Moscow F. Pelazzo, president of the Pirelli group M. Provera, president of Generali SpA G. di Genola, managing director of Fiera di Milano SpA E .Pazzali, Corporate Relations Director Fiera di Milano SpA S. Chekkin, Commercial Director Fiera di Milano SpA R. Foresti, President of the Cardinal Paul Pupara Foundation D. Muzumechi.
Opening the meeting, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed the audience.
“Let me tell you the thoughts that have arisen in connection with your agenda. The outbreak of the global economic crisis and the existing global economic difficulties keep the whole world in suspense, and one can make a disappointing conclusion that the economy today is a global risk in itself. And when we talk about the economy, we mean not only the decline in production and not only the liquidity problem - we mean the presence of very serious contradictions that arise in connection with economic activity. This tension, these conflicts, these difficulties are growing on a global scale and, first of all, of course, between rich and poor countries. But even within even the most prosperous countries, we see an increase in social tension, which in some cases leads to open conflicts and violence.
But even within even the most prosperous countries, we see an increase in social tension, which in some cases leads to open conflicts and violence. In a crisis, international organizations and national governments are not always effective, and the traditional system for resolving international conflicts and disputes is ineffective, ”said the Primate of the Russian Church.
“It is wonderful that we now have the opportunity to bring together representatives of our business community and, in this case, the Italian business community at the same table, to speak on all these topics. Today, Italy is not experiencing the best time in terms of economics, and I would like to sincerely wish the Italian people, Italian business and the Italian authorities to overcome these difficulties.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and participants in the Russian-Italian symposium on ethical aspects of banking activities exchanged memorable gifts.
