7 february

U.S. Department of State

40th Anniversary of the Founding of the Community of Sant'Egidio

Forty years ago today the faith-based Community of Sant’Egidio was born in the heart of Rome. It has come a long way from its humble beginnings as the dream of four Italian high school students. Today the Community is active in 70 counties, and boasts more than 60,000 members actively working to minister to the sick, promote interfaith dialogue, and bring peace to areas scarred by conflict.

President Bush, meeting with Sant’Egidio in June of last year, called the organization a “part of an international army of compassion.” The United States highly values its partnership with Sant’Egidio as part of our common commitment to helping the poor, feeding the hungry and eradicating disease. We support Sant’Egidio’s DREAM Project that addresses HIV/AIDS by bringing vital anti-retroviral drugs to the poor and marginalized in several African countries. We applaud the organization’s courageous efforts to bring peace to the war-torn region of Darfur, and we encourage their efforts to foster dialogue and understanding in many other parts of the world.

We are proud to be friends and supporters of the Community of Sant’Egidio, and we salute their 40 years of exemplary service to the human family.

Link: 40th Anniversary of the Founding of the Community of Sant'Egidio