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>The National League for Democracy party wins more than 70% of the votes. The ruling party admits defeat</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The National League for Democracy party, the movement of Aung San Suu Kyi, won the presidential election in Burma defeating the military party in power and gaining "more than 70% of the votes." This was revealed by the opposition spokesman. According to local television, the ruling party, USDP, admited defeat. Celebrations in the streets of the country while San Suu Kyi called for "not provoke the defeated rivals."</p>
<h1 style="text-align: justify;">Can sports contribute to building a more united world?</h1> <h2>Krizevci (Croatia), 2-4 October 2015</h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">Dialogue as a resource and essential opportunity to promote a new culture of sports. The seventh convention organised by the Sportmeet network in Krizevci (Croatia, 2-4 October).</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Can sports contribute to building a more united world? Could it become a field of action and a tool for unity among individuals and peoples? These were the queries that sparked up the experience of the founders of <a href="http://www.sportmeet.org/" target="_blank">Sportmeet</a>, motivated by the sharing of the common passion for sports.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>"We came here to show that Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians can stand together and move towards a different policy, a policy of a just peace."</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">With a huge media focus on the bloodshed and brutality in the Middle East, hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians have taken part in a peace march through the streets of Jerusalem.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Israeli activist and teacher Uri Weltmann was among those marching.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Before the reporters of various newspapers, Patriarch Bartholomew gave an interview after receiving the h.c. Doctorate in the Culture of Unity awarded by the Sophia University Institute in Loppiano, last 26 Ooctober.</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>“I am really very happy to be here in the town of Loppiano</strong>. I came for the <em>honoris causa</em> Doctorate awarding ceremony. And at the same time, it is a wonderful coincidence: the 50th year from its founding by Chiara Lubich, whom we remember with veneration. And I, as a friend of the Focolare Movement share the joy of this anniversary. Of course I cannot but feel happy and moved to have received the very first <em>honoris causa</em> Docotrate which Sophia has awarded. I am happy to be the first to receive it!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>An occasion of harmony between the powers, the political parties and the citizens.<br /></em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">From march of 2015 brazilian politicians and citizens of the mppu deeply understood there role in this moment of moral, institutional and economical crisis in brazil.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, Joao Pessoa, Manaus and Brasilia moments of dialogue were held and the conclusion of this meetings was that the actual moment is of “concertation”, understood as harmony between the powers, the political parties and the citizens.</p>
<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>
Dialogue & Interculture
New Humanity NGO presented the M.E.D.I.T.erraNEW project — co-financed by the Erasmus Plus Program — to the Youth Section of UNESCO in Paris.
Peace & Human Rights
Amid the rubble of Syria, art becomes an act of resistance. Discover the story of Aeham Ahmad, the “The Pianist of Yarmouk”, who defied the horror of war with the invincible beauty of his musical notes.
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.
An interview on communication with Michele Zanzucchi, journalist and writer, former director of Città Nuova, professor of communication at Sophia University Institute and at the Pontifical Gregorian University, and author of around forty books.
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