Stories from around the globe show how a united world is already in motion. This platform highlights experiences, initiatives, and projects from people and communities working for unity and peace. Explore what’s happening and get inspired.
<p><em>Pope Francis visited the Earth Village and the Roman Mariapoli of Focolari. The simplicity, the warmth, the commitment... He leaves aside the official message and speaks off the cuff, asking not to fear conflicts but to grasp together with risks also opportunities to change the world</em></p> <p>The news of the arrival of the Pope - a "method" that appeals to Bergoglio - came to the event Earth Village - Rome in Mariapoli like a bolt from the blue, although the sky was not very blue in this Roman spring. A few phone calls to friends, the route search of the Pope's arrival, the thrill of being able to see the most popular and the most authoritative of the world leaders. "I am happy that Pope Francis would come to this village that wants to be a small outpost of the Gospel in Rome," says Francesca, 22, a future in ONGs.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Athens, Greece. </strong>Of the 53 thousand refugees living in the Greek islands, <strong>4,500 are in the camp at Piraeus. </strong>It is an “informal” camp totally supported by volunteers. Twenty three year-old Elena Fanciulli is amongst the volunteers who visit the place regularly. She belongs to <a href="http://www.apg23.org/" target="_blank">Pope John XXIII Association</a> and has been living in Athens since December after she finished her studies in Sciences for Peace. The young Italian has been watching the situation as it rapidly evolves. <strong> <br /></strong></p>
<p>The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen has welcomed the start of the cessation of hostilities that began at midnight, 10 April, urging all parties to work to ensure that the terms are fully respected and create a conducive environment for the peace talks scheduled to resume next week.</p>
<p><em>The Focolare Movement around the world expresses its closeness to the populations that have been hit by earthquakes in Ecuador and in Japan. Our special thoughts go to the victims and their families. A coordinated effort has already been launched in Ecuador while the local solidarity has been overwhelming.</em></p> <p><strong></strong>“<strong>Our country’s coastal region was hit by</strong> a <a href="http://cnt.rm.ingv.it/event/6608411" target="_blank">severe earthquake </a>with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was felt throughout Ecuador, and also in several regions of Colombia and northern Peru,” write Fabian and Ardita from the Focolare community in Quito. “The situation is critical especially in several devastated cities.”</p>
<p>April 22 marks the official signature of the Paris Agreement. It is an occasion to remind governments of their responsibilities, and the importance of raising commitments in order to tackle the climate crisis. It is also an occasion to highlight the need to move forward, building on Paris’ mobilizations and the momentum we observe for a profound change in our societies</p>
<p>A proposal to the youth of the whole world, to national and international, public and private institutions, to highlight and enhance the initiatives that promote unity at all levels. Days punctuated by the most various activities to influence public opinion of the respective countries. On every point on the planet, a fascinating strong ideal: to convince the world that it is <strong>"time for fraternity."</strong></p> <p>In May '95, the Genfest - big world event of the Youth for a United World (GMU) - culminates with the launch of the<strong> Week for a United World</strong> (SMU): a week to help establish relations of peaceful coexistence between different peoples and cultures, while respecting the dignity of every person and the identity of each community and people. In short, to contribute to building a united world and convey this purpose to as many young people as possible.</p>
<p>Reconciliation and recovery are the huge tasks facing the Central African Republic’s new President Faustin-Archange Touadera, named the winner of a run-off election that it is hoped will turn the page on years of violent turmoil.</p> <p>Former prime minister Touadera won 62.71 percent of votes cast in the Feb. 14 election, according to provisional results announced by the National Elections Authority (ANE).</p> <p>His defeated rival Anicet Dologuele, also an ex-premier, topped the first round. He says he will accept the results for the sake of peace, despite what he called “massive fraud” in the latest ballot.</p>
<p><em>In the face of the controversial attitudes towards the numerous refugees arriving in Europe, the welcoming gesture of an Italian clerk who offered what he had to make friends, as the Word of Life invites us to do in the month of February.</em></p> <p><strong></strong><strong>“I am a clerk and I live in Catanzaro.</strong> While participating in a meeting with friends who are committed to social work, I got to know that some young foreigners living in a centre for refugees, needed bicycles to go to work.</p> <p><strong>I remembered that in my garage there were two mountain bikes, still in good condition. These bikes meant a lot to me, </strong>since they reminded me of the many long mountain excursions I had with my son. Without hesitating I raised my hand to offer them. But to have them brought to the destination, there some difficulties to overcome. Sometime later I found out that these friends had organised for the end of January, a three-day convention in a touristic village near the residence of the refugees, and in which I was invited to participate.</p>
Economy & Work
Thirty-five years ago a dream was born: the Economy of Communion. In late May Argentina will host an extraordinary celebration where people of all ages will come together to breathe new life into this project and write the future for a different kind of economy.
Art & Social Commitment
Art is not just memory, but a living force. Art historian Giulia Spoltore guides us through the great works of war-defying art, illustrating how beauty can transform society and create a universal culture of peace.
Health, Sport & Ecology
Lorna Gold, Executive Director of Laudato Si’ Movement, reflects on ten years of the encyclical, analysing how integral ecology is an essential path to global unity and tackling the climate crisis.
Education & Research
Operation Mato Grosso is working on over 100 missions across Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, all rooted in education, hard work, and solidarity. Jacopo Manara, who has been a volunteer for years, tells us their story.
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