The conference began with the greetings of the authorities: Father Daniele Bertoldi, President of the NSBC Foundation, Prof. Bruno Giardina, Rector Magnificant of the Catholic University of NSBC, H.Em. Monsignor Ramiro Moliner Inglés, Apostolic Nuncio in Albania, H.Em. Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò and S.E. Bujar Nishani President of the Republic of Albania.
Fr Bernard Caruana presented the Message of Pope Francis for the World Day of Peace 2016 "Win indifference and conquer peace". According to P. Caruana, the starting point and leitmotif of the message is a very important principle of thomist philosophy: "caritas pacem causat"; love causes peace. The message can be considered as a summary of the two years of papacy of Pope Francis.
In his speech, the President of the Republic of Albania thanked for his invitation to discuss the Pope's message on the World Day of Peace, stressing that the messages of Pope Francis are intended to facilitate the achievement of peace, understanding and harmony of all humanity, without distinction.
The conference was a good opportunity to announce the birth of the European Centre of Peace Science, Integration and Cooperation - CESPIC, which will operate at the Catholic University of “Our Lady of Good Councel”
The aim of the Centre is to promote, conduct and coordinate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary studies and research on the related problems – focusing on the Balkan area of Europe and the Mediterranean - to the protection and development of peace, as well as to the conditions of economic-social integration, cooperation, and inter-religious dialogue in order to prevent conflicts and foster a situation characterized by a genuine peace and tranquility among people and religions.
After welcome greetings from the authorities, the professors estimated from Albania, Italy, Greece, and Norway have reported on current issues related to peace:
H. Em Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò
"Mercy and peace in today's reality of migration".
Prof. Scott Gates, Institute of International Peace Research (PRIO), Oslo, Norway
"Minorities and inclusive decision-making".
Prof.ssa Mimoza Kasimati, University of Tirana
"Education as a long-term investment in society".
Prof. Christos Kollias, University of Thessaly, Greece
"Security as a regional public good".
Prof. Raul Caruso, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Italy
"Economic integration and the creation of peace"
