Danilo Dolci, a man of peace
Born 100 years ago, the “Italian Gandhi” was one of the most influential thinkers on nonviolence and poverty alleviation
(by Rita Vittori)
“Change does not happen without new forces, but these do not arise and grow unless people wake up to recognize their own interests and needs.”
So said Danilo Dolci (1924-1997), one of the most influential thinkers of nonviolence and the struggle against poverty and for the emancipation of Southern Italy.
On the centenary of his birth, his figure is back in the public eye.
To mark the occasion, in fact, in addition to a series of important initiatives scattered throughout Italy, a new edition has been released by Altreconomia of the text Danilo Dolci. A Nonviolent Revolution.
The volume is edited by Giuseppe Barone, Dolci’s collaborator since 1985, current vice president of the Danilo Dolci Center for Creative Development, and coordinator of the scientific committee of Borgo Danilo Dolci (Trappeto, Palermo).
Danilo Dolci was nicknamed “Gandhi of Sicily” or “Italian Gandhi” because he dedicated his life to improving the conditions of Sicily’s peasants by adopting nonviolent methods.
He used, in fact, fasting, and developed the RMA method to build solutions to social problems together with the people directly affected.
An example of democracy from below that today, at a time of great disconnect between citizens and politics, finds its relevance again.
(Rita Vittori – Missioni Consolata, March 1, 2025)