The Focolare Movement received the “I do my part” international award from the Kronos Academy in Italy for its commitment in favor of our planet through its ecological initiative: EcoOne. Also among the winners of the 2020 edition are Pope Francis and Norwegian explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl. The award was granted posthumously to the latter.
An old African tale relates how during a forest fire, a hummingbird, the smallest of birds, flew towards the fire while all other animals fled away from it. When the lion asked the hummingbird why the latter was doing so, the bird, with a drop of water on its beak, replied: “I’m doing my part!” The international award, assigned by the Kronos Academy, takes its name from this story. It has now reached its fourth edition, and it is given annually to people, entities, and nations that “do their part” in favor of the environment and the earth’s climate.
Among the eight winners of this edition, there is also EcoOne, the Focolare international initiative promoted by a network of lecturers, academics, researchers, and professionals who are involved in environmental sciences and strive to enrich their scientific knowledge through a profound humanistic reading of contemporary ecological problems (www.ecoone.org).
Due to the pandemic, the award ceremony could not be held, as scheduled, at the Protomoteca Hall of the Campidoglio in Rome. Instead, the Focolare Movement received its reward on November 26, 2020, at its international headquarters in Rocca di Papa, Rome, from Vincenzo Avalle, member of the National Board of the Kronos Academy, who was accompanied by Armando Bruni, the Coordinator for the Academy in Central Italy and three environmental officers. Prof. Luca Fiorani, President of EcoOne, received the award on behalf of the Focolare Movement. He was presented with a sculpture of a hummingbird, made of recycled metal by the artist Renato Mancini, as well as an award certificate.
“This award is meant to stimulate, to motivate all those who are committed to protecting the environment,” explained Vincenzo Avalle. He continued: “I was struck by the complex Focolare activity in favor of the environment as expressed by EcoOne, supported by science and interaction with politics.”
Upon receiving the award, Fioriani exclaimed: “I can see a great synergy between the Kronos Academy and the Focolare/EcoOne, because we complement each other: Kronos originates from action, EcoOne from reflection. We need one another. The Focolare Movement can contribute to different areas of cultural depth, especially economy and politics, both decisive for the environment. We can also offer our international experience.” He added: “I see here a possibility of collaboration, of very strong synergy. There are so many entities that work for the environment. I think it’s time that all these organizations pool their work together.”
The Kronos Academy (www.accademiakronos.it) continues with the work and spirit of “Kronos 1991,” one of the first environmental organizations to be set up. With about 10,000 members in Italy and international offices and references, it is committed to protecting the environment and quality of life. In collaboration with scientific institutes and universities, Kronos offers a degree course for “Environmental Educator and Disseminator” and two master’s degree courses in “Health and Environment,” and it supports a supervisory body for environmental prevention and information. Above all, it invites people the world over to “do their part” to safeguard the environment.
Joachim Schwind
