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><span id="result_box" lang="en">A memorial that has not only to remember but most of all to unite.</span></em></p> <p>‘The Ring of Memory’ memorial in northern France was designed to focus attention not on nations but on the individuals who lost their lives in World War One.</p> <p>Euronews correspondent Laurence Alexandrowicz met its creator, Architect Philippe Prost: “The shape of a ring came to me quite easily, to express an idea, of giving the concept of fellowship a shape.</p>
<p><em><span id="result_box" lang="en">What does it mean to live in war? What does it mean to see every day murder victims? A way out is still possible? A friend who lives in Damascus sent us this letter.</span><br /></em></p> <p>Dear all,<br /><strong>sorry that I have not written for a long time, but today, after being at a funeral of two young brothers, I thought I could no longer delay.</strong> <strong>The two brothers are uncles of a girl I know, one is 35 and the other is 37 years old.</strong> They were kidnapped a month ago, they had gone to protect their city from the "anti-government rebels;" for one month there has been no news .... but the other day they found them dead, disfigured, with their heads cut off! What a tragedy, what a pain .... <strong>One of them is married and has two daughters, his wife is pregnant and about to give birth this month.</strong> In front of this pain, there are no words, there was a sadness that breaks my heart apart ... I said to myself "My God, how long, how long must this war go on? This is enough!" Greeting the family, I felt I was giving the embrace of the whole church and all of you who pray and offer for peace.</p>
<p><em>Pope Francis and leaders of the Orthodox, Anglican, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist faiths sign a Joint Declaration in the Vatican today. Through the latter, the Global Freedom Network (GFN), which is behind the initiative, wants a common commitment to inspire spiritual and practical action by all faiths and people of goodwill everywhere to eradicate modern slavery, a practice that affects 36 million people.</em></p> <p>Vatican City (AsiaNews) - For the first time in history, the religious leaders world's Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists are scheduled to sign a declaration calling for the eradication of modern slavery.</p> <p>The leaders of the Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches, as well as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths make their commitment against slavery today in a Joint Declaration at the Vatican, on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.</p>
<p><em>Around a hundred scholars coming from 25 countries, from the three monotheistic religions, to make an in-depth study together on the dignity and the role of the woman in building peace.</em></p> <p>«<strong>To create</strong> <strong>a network of women,</strong> going beyond the diversity of religion and culture; to make an in-depth study of the sacred texts so as to regain the place of the woman in today’s society; and to promote interreligious dialogue with a more human dimension»; here are some of the conclusions of the<strong> International Symposium</strong> that took place <strong>last November <strong>12 and 13, in Rabat, the capital of</strong></strong> <strong>Morocco</strong>.
<p><em>"What if I offer him the water bottle I just bought?" Sometimes a simple act of love is enough</em></p> <p>It was a hot day. I had just arrived in the big city after a two-hour train ride for a doctor’s appointment. I was travelling alone, and although the train ride was pleasant, it was a difficult one for me as I was still recovering from major brain surgery. When I got there, I had to take a taxi to reach the neurologist’s office.</p> <p>This leg of the trip was much shorter, but it was much more painful because of the bumpy roads. The young driver wove quickly through the traffic. I was tempted to ask him to slow down and be more careful, knowing that if I mentioned the recent surgery he would understand. However, I remembered that we can find God in our brothers and sisters (see Ps. 36:9), so instead of demanding kindness, I decided to take the first step.</p>
<p><em>A second instalment is sent with funds raised in September. The fate of East-West relations is being played out in the Middle East and Iraq. Pope Francis and the Synod issue an appeal. Governments are lukewarm. Aid is coming from around the world. A new international community is defeating the "globalisation of indifference."</em></p> <p>Rome (AsiaNews) - Thanks to the generosity of many readers and friends of AsiaNews, the campaign "Adopt a Christian from Mosul" has raised nearly 700,000 euros (almost US$ 900,000) to fund the basic needs of Christian and Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan, who fled the violence and cruelty. On 10 October, we sent the bishops - who like their faithful are also refugees - a second instalment of 393,297.76 euros raised in September. With 279,219.96 euros raised in August, the total amount sent comes to 672,517.72 euros.</p>
<p><em>EoC entrepreneur Gonzalo Perrín's experience told at the Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina) during the event: "Subsidiarity: An Entrepreneurial Commitment".</em></p> <p><strong>Gonzalo Perrín</strong> would never have imagined becoming the manager of a company producing biscuits at the age of only 29. He did his studies and was preparing to work in the hospitality industry but when he got to know the EoC, he felt contaminated by its philosophy and did not hesitate to leave everything behind. Today he is the director of the company named <strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.descubriendosabores.com.ar">Pasticcino</a></strong>, a factory inside the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mariapolis.org.ar/polo-solidaridad/">Polo Solidaridad</a> where 2.500.000 biscuits for coffee are produced monthly to be then distributed to 25 chain stores. Actually, at the moment there are plans to set up a branch office in the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.edc-online.org/en/eoc/industrial-parks/polo-spartaco-en.html">Polo Spartaco</a>, in Sao Paulo (Brazil).
<p><em>In some schools in Latina (Central Italy), a creative workshop guided 5th and 8th grade students in learning about their emotions: it was part of anti-bullying campaign called “Let’s unBully ourselves”.</em></p> <p>“This has been an unbelievable experience. Now I’ve seen it all! Should I become a teacher in 20 years time, I’ll be telling my students: “I created this program with my former classmates.” And I’ll also tell them that it wouldn’t have been possible without those classmates or the great artist, Antonio”.</p> <p><strong></strong><strong>4,700 glass tiles </strong>were the raw materials that made it possible for a creative workshop to be held over 12 sessions. All the students described the experience as a “memorable” one, allowing them to unleash their imagination and to have respect for others by working alongside them. The workshop, inspired by the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, and designed by the Alessandro Mammucari Association – a partner of the “Let’s unBully ourselves” initiative promoted by the Latina municipality – used art as a medium to transmit the message.</p>
<p><em>Geneva: New Humanity's contribution to the conference "Hope or Utopia? The Civilization of Love"</em></p> <p>On 30th October last, in the Library of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the conference "<strong>Hope or Utopia? The Civilization of Love</strong>" took place. The event <strong>marked the celebration of the figure of Pope Paul VI at the UN</strong>, through the presentation of the book "The civilization of love according to Paul VI" and the participation of important authorities and academics. Also present was <strong>Dr. Jorge M. Dias Ferreira</strong>, chief representative of <a target="_self" href="http://www.new-humanity.org/en/geneva.html">New Humanity in Geneva</a>, who, on behalf of his NGO, gave the closing speech.</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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