Doc. 8790
6 July 2000

Establishment of a permanent international centre for peace at Revereto (Italy)

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Goulet and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The small Italian municipality of Revereto (in the Trento region) is notable as the home of an association known as the Fondazione opera campana dei caduti that is committed to promoting a culture of peace.

2.       It is thanks to the association that the world’s largest bell (the “Maria Dolens”) is tolled at 10.30 pm every day.

3.       The 22-tonne bell is rung in honour of the dead of all wars and as a call for peace and brotherhood between peoples throughout the world. It was cast in Trento on 30 October 1924 from the bronze of canons donated by all the nations that had fought in the first world war.

4.       Every year, with the support of the European Commission, the association organises courses and series of lectures with a view to fostering a peace culture. One such course involving 15 Israeli and 15 Palestinian students has been a major success, contributing significantly to dialogue between these two peoples. Given the Council of Europe’s special concern for peace issues and human rights, it cannot but support all aspects of the work done by the Fondazione opera campana dei caduti.

5.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

i.       explore every possible avenue of co-operation with the Fondazione opera campana dei caduti;

ii.       support the request for consultative status from the Fondazione opera campana dei caduti;

iii.       invite the governments of the member states to develop peace-oriented activities in co-operation with the Fondazione opera campana dei caduti.

Signed ¹ :

Goulet, France, EDG

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Mitterand, France, SOC

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Schreiner, France, EDG

Skopal, Czech Republic, SOC

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Yürür, Turkey, EDG

________________

¹       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group