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>Justice is an essential requirement for the ideal of universal fraternity.</em></p> <p>[...] To this end, there is a need to ensure the uncontested rule of law and tireless recourse to negotiation, mediation and arbitration, as proposed by the Charter of the United Nations, which constitutes truly a fundamental juridical norm. The experience of these seventy years since the founding of the United Nations in general, and in particular the experience of these first fifteen years of the third millennium, reveal both the effectiveness of the full application of international norms and the ineffectiveness of their lack of enforcement.
<p><em>The news reports on this African country have been alarming. The political conflict has been really trying for the entire population of Muslims, Christians and Animists. All are hoping for a peaceful solution.</em></p> <p>“Ever since the coup d’etat last Thursday, 17 September– we are all still at home: the schools, offices, and shops are all closed. Petrol and food are running out and whatever is available, costs double,” explains Aurora De Oliveira of the Focolare in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second city of Burkina Faso. The protest here is felt, but not as strongly as in the capital, Ouagadougou (population of 1.5 million), where the main events of last week came about and where <strong>more than 100 people were wounded and at least ten have died</strong>.
<p><em>Il mondo ha bisogno di riconciliazione</em></p> <p>"For some months now, we have witnessed an event which fills us with hope: the process of normalizing relations between two peoples following years of estrangement. It is a process, a sign of the victory of the culture of encounter and dialogue, “the system of universal growth” over “the forever-dead system of groups and dynasties”, as José Martí said (ibid.). I urge political leaders to persevere on this path and to develop all its potentialities as a proof of the high service which they are called to carry out on behalf of the peace and well-being of their peoples,
<p><em>Romano Prodi and Pasquale Ferrara give an interview at the convention for worldwide Focolare delegates, currently underway at Castel Gandolfo (Rome) from 14-27 September.</em></p> <p><strong></strong>“We can react to this situation through forms of reorganization, even if they are not perfect, but which bring together countries and people from various fields. Our problem in Europe is one of an imperfect unity, but we must keep going with it. And in the context of the migrant crisis we feel that unity is essential to our future,” states <strong>Roman Prodi</strong>, twice Prime Minister of Italy and former President of the European Commission. As an economist, academic and politician, he gave an interview during the meeting for Focolare regional delegates.</p>
<p><em>From 25 to 30 August, 40 Christian and Muslim university students and 8 professors of 15 countries participated in the initiative of Sophia University Institute (SUI) held in the Dolomite Mountains with the support of the Province of Trent. SUI professor, Roberto Catalano, summarised the event.</em></p> <p>The Summer School was held in Tonadico in the Dolomite Mountains, not only due to the marvelous scenario of the locality, but also for the bond that existed between Chiara Lubich and those mountain districts. It was there, in fact, that in 1949 with some of her young companions, Chiara lived that mystic experience that is central to the history of the Work she had started.</p>
<p><a href="index.php?option=com_docman&view=document&alias=94-appeal-uwp-2015&category_slug=english&Itemid=138&lang=en" target="_blank" class="doclink">download</a></p> <p></p> <p>To International and National Institutions.<br />To International and National Organisations</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">APPEAL</h2> <h1 style="text-align: center;">#SIGNUPFORPEACE</h1> <p>We represent “Youth for a United World” and are part of the Focolare Movement, which began in 1943 arising out of the experience of Chiara Lubich. We are young people from all over the world who belong to different religions, cultures, beliefs and traditions. We identify with the principle of universal fraternity and are committed to living according to the “Golden Rule” which invites us to do to others what we would like done to us. At international level we work in collaboration with the NGO New Humanity.</p> <p>We are aware of the current global scene in which many conflicts cause migrations of peoples fleeing from violence, extreme poverty, hunger and social injustices, which they are victims of in their own countries. We are deeply affected by all this suffering and are personally committed to finding practical solutions. Our projects and actions for peace are called “seeds of fraternity” and are part of the overall United World Project (www.unitedworldproject.org).<br />Universal fraternity cannot be achieved only through individual good will. We believe direct action by politicians is needed to address the causes of conflicts and the factors that generate inequality.</p>
<p><em>We are in a Third World War, we must be aware. The waves of migrants are a result of the conflicts that must be known in their origin. The task that the policy can not avoid is to find a solution</em></p> <p>This morning while reading the newspapers and on the web I focus on the news about the countries of origin of migrants who knock Europe.</p> <p><strong>Afghanistan:</strong> the Taliban release 355 inmates from Ghazni prison.<br /> <strong>Pakistan:</strong> governative bombings in Waziristan, Taliban and civilian victimes.<br />
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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