Il Centro Diaconale "La Noce" -
The
Waldensian Institute at 'La Noce' is an expression of the Christian witness of
the Waldensian Methodist Churches in Italy. It developed from the work of a group
of Christians from some protestant churches, from the late 1950s onwards, who wanted to help
disadvantaged children in some of the most degraded quarters of Palermo. The
economic help and volunteer work of many friends in other parts of the world was
also invaluable. Its services, geared towards young people, are aimed at the
liberation of the individual through overcoming social and cultural limitations,
and those of physical or mental disability. The centre also aims to work towards
the prevention of forms of suffering and marginalisation, to appreciate
diversity, and to promote a responsible and aware citizen body. No religious
activity or confessional teaching is included in the school curriculum or the
other social projects, in respect for the fundamental values of a pluralistic
society, and the individual's freedom of choice. In the centre's schools, a true
awareness of the breadth of religious choices and the importance of religious
toleration is encouraged. Instead of a desire to substitute or delegitimise the
public administration, the centre has, over the years, established valuable
relationships of collaboration with the communal, provincial, regional and state
administration, with the aim of promoting and empowering the most disadvantaged
parts of the populations, using alternative approaches to the traditional
assistential, charity-to-client approach.