International Assembly 2023

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE IONA HELD ON 23 MARCH 2023

GENERAL STATEMENT

The IONA General Assembly approves:

    1. Given the suffering that the peoples involved in the war between Ukraine and Russia are suffering, the New Acropolis International Organization deplores all armed action and advocates a peaceful solution to the problems.In this sense, IONA volunteers, from their headquarters around the world, continue to collaborate to alleviate, as far as possible, the harsh situation that already affects thousands of people. New Acropolis hopes that this conflict will be resolved as soon as possible and hopes that peace will be restored soon.
    2. Point out the contribution that the OINA has made during 2022 in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) proposed by the United Nations Organization, SDG 4, on Quality Education; SDG 15, on the Life of terrestrial ecosystems; SDG 16, on Peace and Justice, and SDG 17, on partnerships to achieve the goals. Reiterating that it is essential that the activities to be carried out this year be carried out from a human and pedagogical approach, which prioritizes the change of individual and collective consciousness in the face of the problems facing the world.
    3. Highlight the volunteer work that has been carried out in the different IONA headquarters around the world, among which we can highlight the help to those most in need, the protection of the environment, the planting of trees, the help to the the elderly, protection for the homeless, soup kitchens from which people without resources benefit, actions to provide affordable and non-polluting energy in several rural centers in Europe and America, and health and sports education programs that improve the style of life.
    4. Invite all national associations to continue the work of promoting Philosophy. In particular, highlight the continuity in the work carried out for more than 15 years around World Philosophy Day at the initiative of UNESCO, a celebration that unites the efforts of more than 400 New Acropolis venues. We echo the message of the general director of said organization, on the occasion of the celebration of said world day in 2022, by stating that: “Faced with the magnitude of contemporary challenges, it is our own conception of humanity that must be re-examined, openly considering all points of view, in particular, in this International Decade of Indigenous Languages, what indigenous philosophies can do to change our way of seeing the world, as well as our way of living in it” .
    5. Insist all associations in their active participation in the commemoration of Mother Earth Day that is celebrated worldwide on April 22. The IONA General Assembly recommends carrying out activities that promote and value the protection of our planet.
    6. Reaffirm our conviction that philosophy and access to knowledge must not only be theoretical, but also have a practical meaning. In this sense, it is necessary to highlight the training work carried out for all those human beings who approach our associations through our pedagogical formula that promotes philosophy, culture and volunteering. An education that prioritizes respect for others, as a sign of true coexistence that makes us all more humane and more tolerant.
    7. The General Assembly has positively assessed the availability of IONA volunteers to go to devastated places, collaborating in search and rescue work together with public and private organizations, as has occurred in the case of earthquakes that have devastated large areas of Syria and Turkey. Well-trained and specialized teams have joined the volunteers from numerous countries, contributing their good will and experience.