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 style="text-align: justify;"><em>Action of reception, solidarity, education to legality, civil economy and political participation enacted in Italy and in the world, at the centre of a festival for youth in Loppiano, promoted by the youth for a united world of the Focolare.</em><br /><strong><em>With the extraordinary participation of the Gen Verde and Gen Rosso.
<div><em>A small citron tree, it is the sacred symbol of Yary Mirì, the Avà Guaranì community with which a group of the Focolare Movement in Paraguay came in contact. The story of a friendship which resulted in concrete and important actions.</em></div> <p><strong></strong><strong>“Scholars estimate that from 3000 BC, </strong>populations from the Southeast Asian continent arrived here.<strong> Among them were also the Guaranì</strong> people, composed of many ethnic groups that through the centuries spread to the Caribbean up to the southernmost tip of the continent,” <strong>explained Diana Durán</strong>, a Paraguayan sociologist and scholar of the aborigines of America. The meeting with a small community of the Avà Guaranì and Mbya ethnic groups came about two years ago, when a big flood of the Paraguay river forced the indigenous group of 33 families (115 members) to abandon the unsteady settlement on the banks of the river where they used to live by gathering wastes from the dumpsite nearby<strong>.</strong></p>
<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>
Dialogue & Interculture
United World Week
Every year, from May 1st to 7th, the United World Project support, together with the Focolare Movement and Youth for a United World (Y4UW), the United World Week, a global action where many people promote events and initiatives worldwide to foster dialogue, unity, and peace.
Dialogue & Interculture
Dialogue & Interculture
Dialogue & Interculture
United World Week
Here’s the key: knowing that we do not know. No one possesses the absolute Truth, and by engaging in dialogue with everyone we can grasp aspects or fragments of truth that help us reassemble a shattered vase that we can restore only if we are “together”.
Economy & Work
Anna Granata, professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca, reminds us that teaching peace is not an abstract utopia. It is something that happens every day in Italian classrooms among children with diverse stories, languages, and backgrounds.
Art & Social Commitment
Celebrated Marvel and DC artist Gabriele Dell’Otto invites us to consider the people who are working to build peace as the real superheroes of our world. A profound discussion on responsibility, citizenship, and the challenge of doing the extraordinary in our everyday lives.
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