Catalan writer and human rights activist, Carles Torner, and Korean human rights specialist, Anselmo Lee, joined us for the first ACI webinar of 2026 on 10 February.
Addressing the theme, “Pax Romana: A movement, A message,” they presented the work of Pax Romana ICMICA, the international movement of Catholic professionals, academics and public intellectuals.
The Australian Cardijn Institute is a corresponding member of ICMICA, a movement that traces its origins to 1921 in the aftermath of the First World War.
Video
Speakers
Carles Torner
Based in Barcelona, Carles Torner is currently the president of Pax Romana ICMICA following the recent international council in Lisbon, Portugal in November 2026.
Previously, Carles also served from 1986-1991 as president of the International Movement of Catholic Students, the original branch of the Pax Romana movement founded in 1921.
He earned his doctorate from the University of Paris 8 with a thesis on “Shoah, a Pedagogy of Memory,” later published in French, Catalan and Spanish. In 2002, he wrote a biography of the Mexican bishop of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, Samuel Ruiz. He has published several novels as well as six books of poetry.
From 2014-2021, he was director of PEN International, the association that supports and defends writers around the world, especially those who have been imprisoned for their work. Currently, he lectures at and is preparing a 2026 course of the poetry of the Nicaraguan priest, Ernesto Cardenal.
Anselmo Lee
Anselmo Lee is ICMICA vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region.
He is an adjunct professor at several universities in South Korea, where he lectures on global governance, civil society, international development, and human rights.
Anselmo is also the founding co-president of Pax Christi Korea and sits on the Ecology and Environment Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea. He was previously secretary general of ICMICA from 1997-2004 and is a founding member of the Woori Theology Institute in Seoul.
In the public sphere and civil society, he promoted human rights and democracy in his roles as Executive Director of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) in Bangkok (2005–2008) and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) (2008–2010).
Pax Romana ICMICA
Pax Romana ICMICA (International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs) is a global network of Catholic professionals and intellectuals committed to social justice, peace, and human rights. Founded in the wake of World War I, the movement was born from a desire to foster international reconciliation and ensure that the “life of the mind” was never divorced from ethical and spiritual values. Today, it serves as a bridge between the academic or professional world and the grassroots, mobilizing “thinking believers” to apply the Gospel to complex modern challenges like economic inequality and political instability.
The movement operates as a prominent Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with consultative status at major international bodies, including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe. Their work is primarily focused on advocacy and the promotion of “integral human development.” This means they don’t just look at economic growth, but also the spiritual, social, and cultural well-being of every person. By participating in global forums, ICMICA ensures that the voices of marginalized communities and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching—such as the common good and the dignity of the person—are represented in high-level policy discussions.
At its core, ICMICA encourages its members to analyse their local and professional contexts, reflect on them through the lens of faith, and take concrete action for change. Whether they are lawyers, scientists, or artists, members are urged to use their specific expertise to tackle issues like climate change, democratic erosion, and the protection of refugees.
By fostering a community of shared reflection and international solidarity, Pax Romana ICMICA transforms individual professional careers into a collective mission for a more just and peaceful global society.
READ MORE
Carles Torner (Wikipedia – Spanish)
Interview with Carles Torner (PEN International)
Anselmo Lee (Diplomacy Training Program)