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>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>
<div><em>A profession chosen out of love: 400 workers in the field of education and youth, from 39 countries, united by their dedication to the new generations. A difficult task? Yes, but possible when we do it together.</em></div> <p><strong></strong><strong>There was overwhelming agreement amongst the 400 youth workers</strong> who attended the conference, that they had chosen their profession because of love and not because of the career. Some of the topics discussed included: <strong>accompanying adolescents; </strong>role of the teacher; educating to do what is difficult; the community as educator. Vince and Make are from Melbourne, Australia. “I’m originally from Futuna – one more step and you fall off the globe!” Make joked. “When I went to visit a small community on the Island of Kiribati, the children were surprised by the presence of a stranger, and then suprised by the fact that I played games with them. I ran for two hours even though I’m no longer the right age that. We didn’t speak the same language, but a special relationship was created between us.</p>
<h1>News from the last European council...</h1> <p>Agenda highlights<br />The European Council focus on two main issues:</p> <h2>United Kingdom</h2> <p>Following the discussion at the December 2015 European Council on the UK plans for an (in/out) referendum, the European Council agreed to find mutually satisfactory solutions in four areas of concern at its February meeting:</p> <ul> <li>competitiveness</li> <li>economic governance</li> <li>sovereignty</li> <li>social benefits and free movement</li> </ul>
<p><em>The last months of 2015 will go down in the history of Paraguay as the epoch in which the youth revived its leading and ongoing role in civic actions. The story of the Focolare youth’s commitment.</em></p> <p><strong></strong><strong>Thousands of university students have denounced the rampaging corruption in the country’s main state university</strong>, the Università Nazionale of Asunción (UNA). A long austere spring ended with chain resignations of the academic authorities, and negotiations on the reforms of a statute drafted during the dictatorship.</p> <p><strong>The university youth surprised </strong><strong>everyone with their seriousness and organisation</strong><strong>.</strong> In the month in which the campus was occupied, they created a true and proper “alternative State.”</p>
Health, Sport & Ecology
United World Week
Discover Run4Unity 2026, a global race bringing thousands of young people together in the name of peace. From Italy to Uganda, Brazil to Hong Kong, the relay of solidarity and sport forms just one part of United World Week 2026.
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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