Dr. Javier Eduardo Helou - Argentina

Date of birth 25 dec. 1962 in Bueno aires Argentina

Graduated in philosophy in 1990 a the University of Salvador, member of the Franciscan Order between 1980 until 1991, working in peace and developing projects.

Graduated in Law in 1994 working in the Federal Court since 1992 until today as a Federal Judge working with penal project in prison and penalty cases.

Graduated in Penal Law Master in Law by the University of Palermo.

Graduated in 2004 Master in Government developing by the University of Navarra, Spain.

Professor in Law University of Buenos Aires

Professor in Philosophy in the Catholic University of Buenos Aires.

In the last years working in the integration of the Franciscan Spirituality to the developing of peace and taking care of the environment problem, arriving to the conclusion that the environment is a "spiritual problem".

The contribution of Saint Francis of Assisi
to the environmental problem

Saint Francis is not anymore exclusively of the Church or of the Franciscan Order. He is part of humanity at large. He is one of the most admired figures in history and someone in whom we find an example of profound and pure human understanding and values. For that reason, when we are worried about any specific problem we may look to Saint Francis, for inspiration; his way of life gives us hope for universal reconciliation. Modern society needs ways of integration and reconciliation. We need to create more human and fraternal organizations and societies. It is necessary to make a revision of the thoughts and feelings of Saint Francis in some specific points like: environmental problems, ethics, politics, economics, freedom and humanism.