Ana Marta González, scientific coordinator of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) and professor of Philosophy at the University of Navarra, participated in the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, to which she has belonged as a member since 2016.

The meeting took place in Rome from April 29 to May 2, 2017, under the degree scroll 'Towards a participatory society: new paths towards social and cultural integration'. Ana Marta González gave the discussion paper 'Cultural exclusion and civil society'.

The participants approached the topic participatory society by first defining the concepts of participation, combating exclusion and social and cultural integration, and then considering empirical phenomena, their causes and possible solutions. These are multidimensional concepts and processes that are not identical to each other and yet are related in many ways.

Since the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has order this Academy to pay more attention to the poor, the marginalized, the sick, the suffering, and to recommit itself to combating all forms of marginalization and social exclusion. "This Plenary Session will respond to his call by seeking to deepen our understanding and explanation of the reasons for social exclusion and, above all, by suggesting practical steps for promote an integral social and cultural integration, which we have called the 'participatory society,'" the institution assures on its website.

The meeting has emphasized new ways of promote the full participation of people in society, i.e. participation in all spheres of civil and political society. The goal is not only to make the current structure of societies more participatory, but also to outline the characteristics of a participatory society capable of promote the dignity of the human person in a context oriented to the common good and based on the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity.

Pope Francis sent a message to the participants of the Session, which can be found at link.

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was founded by John Paul II on January 1, 1994. Its goal, reflected in article no. 1 of its statute, is "promote the study and progress of the social, economic, political and juridical sciences in the light of the social doctrine of the Church".

The issue of its academicians, appointed by the Pope, cannot be less than 20 or more than 40. They are chosen without distinction of religious confession for their high level of skill in one of the various social disciplines.