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>Over 5,000 people from all over the country and from more than 60 ecclesial movements, for the first time 'together' in Puebla. To give visibility, consistency and unity to the commitment of the laicals in the reconstruction of the <em>Mexican</em> social fabric.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong></strong><strong>“An historic event;” “there’s no turning back;” “only through our communion will we solve the problems of Mexico.”</strong> These were some of the phrases that were joyfully echoing in the corridors of the Centro Expositor, an avant-garde but functional structure that adds to the already rich architectural patrimony of the city of Puebla.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Zero Hunger is ambitious, but it’s achievable. Working together, we can help change people’s lives for the better, and we can reach our goal of ending hunger by 2030. Today, we’re sharing some of the success stories that prove that we can help create a brighter future not just for individuals, but for the world.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Pappy Chimalamungo was forced to serve as a child soldier during the protracted armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We’re helping Pappy and hundreds of thousands of other children like him to rebuild their lives, restoring trust and stability through enabling them to share meals with former rivals.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I awarded an honorary doctoral degree in the culture of unity from the Sophia University Institute for “his service to the unity of the human family”.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong></strong>On October 26, 2015, at 5.00 pm - Auditorium of the <a href="http://www.loppiano.it" target="_blank">Loppiano International Centre</a> – <a href="http://www.loppiano.it/streaming/C/Streaming_loppiano-1820762LUO5452063023" target="_blank">Live Streaming Event</a></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople will be receiving the first honory doctoral degree in the culture of unity conferred by the Sophia University Institute, situated in Loppiano (Florence) and founded by Chiara Lubich to deal competently and effectively with the cultural transition taking place. The ceremony will be held on October 26 at 17.00 hrs at the Auditorium of the international Centre of the Focolare.<strong></strong><br /><strong></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>In the face of the recent escalation of violence in the Holy Land Pope Francis invites us to pray: “Hope and progress flow only from peaceful choices. So, let us join together in one intense and faith-filled prayer to the Lord.”</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong></strong>“We are painfully wounded and follow with deep concern what is taking place in Syria, Iraq, Jerusalem and the West Bank where we are witnessing an escalation in the violence that involves innocent civilians and continues to increase a humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions. War only brings destruction and multiplies the sufferings of entire populations,” stated Pope Francis during the works of the Synod on the Family.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>I almost forgot to tell you about Down syndrome ... But it actually was not scary and I did not get hurt. I have a great life.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">My name is Penny Becker. I like to wake up first thing in the morning. I like to get my flipflops on because my flipflops are more comfortable than my bare feet. I come downstairs first thing I see my mom, Amy Julia, and my dad, Peter, my little sister Marilee who is four and a half, and William who is only seven. I am nine and a half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">We get breakfast set up. I like to have bagel with cream cheese on top and on the side, with orange juice and strawberries.</p>
<p><em>From Mariënkroon, Holland, a beautiful and concrete experience of dialogue with the refugees</em></p> <p>It’s wednesday morning, they just had their first Dutch class. I enter the dining hall of the Focolare Retreat Center and one of the boys, Zakaria, comes to me and asks: ‘’Laura, how do you say ‘Ikhou van jou’ (Dutch) in English?” I answer: ‘I love you’. He smiles and says: “I love you more!” I laugh at his joke and enter the kitchen. As I pass the row for lunch I receive several ‘Goedemiddag’ (good afternoon) and ‘Dankjewel’ (thank you). My heart bursts with pride and joy. Right in front of me I see a united world and it’s filled with hope.</p>
<p><em>KABUL - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food assistance to people displaced by the recent upsurge of fighting in Afghanistan’s northern province of Kunduz.</em></p> <p>Today, WFP started distributing enough food for a month to more than 150 families who fled to the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, while food is being dispatched for nearly 950 families displaced to Taluqan city in Takhar province. Earlier this week, more than 3 metric tons of food was distributed via the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) to displaced families in Mazar.</p>
From Nairobi, at the heart of Africa—a continent of 54 rapidly growing nations, where people under 30 account for about 70% of the population—comes a comprehensive proposal for global engagement. It positions younger generations to lead transformative processes, guided by a humanistic, community-oriented vision grounded in reciprocity and shared responsibility.
Communication & Media
In a context where the media can easily be turned into weapons, peace journalism—rooted in the ideas of Johan Galtung—emerges as an essential practice. It does not overlook conflict; rather, it examines its underlying causes and highlights non-violent responses as a path toward building lasting "positive peace".
The story of the Med25 Bel Espoir’s journey around the Mediterranean between spring and autumn 2025. Among the stories shared is that of Carlos Palma, the founder of Living Peace, and Ikram, an ambassador for peace in Algeria.
Interview with Majdi Abdallah, a youth from Palestine travelling on the school ship of peace, Med25 Bel Espoir. An emotional story based on the dialogue in the Mediterranean, the relations and of hope born aboard.
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