THE ECOLOGY OF MAN

My political itinerary began with university environmentalism. I am part of a generation which was formed in a period of strongly ideological politics. To be of the left in those days was not simply a matter of casting a vote in the electoral booth but of being active in public life, an "actor" in processes of change taking place in the 70's. My own generation is also that which sees the arrival of "go-getters", in the 80's. The brusque change which we lived through, meant believing in the possibility of acting in a demcraracy to develope a more equitable and just society. But we clash a with net "materialism". The strong ideas which could move huge masses of people and passionately involve new generations slowly weakened, producing a deep discontent and disillusionment with politics. I believe in an ethic of politics in which convictions are mediated by a serious sense of responsibility. Naturally parliamentary activity is the central "place" of democratic life of a country and we have to relate to this. Ambientalism is often defined as a movement committed to the safeguarding of the environment and its natural values. A concept in which I deeply believe. I would add, that places are not only "material spaces" but also "immaterial spaces", places of the spirit. Safe guarding the ambience means much more than avoiding the cementification of a city (one of many things) It is above all, a safeguarding of the life of those who live there. Ecology as a choice of life means wishing to understand and safeguard all the possible shadings of our society. Respecting diversity and loving it inasmuch as it is distant from our culture. Being of the left has always meant believing in a society where a social sense is well developed: today mediation between safeguarding the needs and rights of all citizens and living in a society where the laws of the market impose rules not shared by everyone, leads to unending debate on what it means to belong to the left today. Debate that in an open and democratic society must be live and heated yet concrete and realistic. Remaining firm and rigidly immovable in one's position, however right it may be, can have consequences which produce distinctly unpleasant effects for our society. Our sense of responsibility must prevail and, at the same time, we must never forget to be constructive. Contributing to the growth of a city means participating and making other citizens participate in the project of community. It means seeking the contribution of everyone to construct a new way of seeing and living the concept of being a citizen. Every person who feels he or she belongs to a community feels at the same time the public good and more easily understands that he or she stands near some-one else who is an element of the same society. It is important to nourish the creation of places where man manages to identify and where he can develope his own capacities. It is fundamental to take part ideologically in the development of cities. This means putting down new roots, nourishing the lives of those who follow us.