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>On the International Human Rights Day, the manifesto signed by the UNIRedes organisations promotes action for a more fraternal and more socially united world.</em></p> <p><strong>«<strong>64 years after the institution of the International Human Rights Day</strong></strong> [10 December] and of the appeal to “all peoples of the world” launched by the United Nations General Assembly,” we, the members of UNIRedes, wish to make public our constitution on the network, in order to foster authentic partnership relations, and build a more just and fraternal world, in pursuit of total respect for human rights.» These were the opening lines of the “Manifesto” signed on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, by over 50 social organisations, initiatives and movements of 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries involved in UNIRedes.</p>
<p><em>No one should become an accomplice in "man's exploitation by man," an activity that touches millions of people forced by violence into "slave labour". In view of the situation, "There is a need for just laws" and international cooperation. Everyone has a "specific role and responsibilities, to practice acts of fraternity" towards the victims of exploitation.</em></p> <p>Vatican City (AsiaNews) - In his message for the 48<sup>th</sup> World Day of Peace, Francis warned against becoming accomplices in the many forms of modern slavery. Millions of people are sadly involved in "man's exploitation by man," forced by violence into "slave labour, [. . .] men and women labourers, including minors, [who are] subjugated in different sectors, whether formally or informally", migrants and poor. In view of this, the pontiff issued an urgent "appeal to all men and women of good will, and all those near or far, including the highest levels of civil institutions, who witness the scourge of contemporary slavery" to take action against slavery.
<p><em><em><span id="result_box" lang="en">Yesterday in Oslo the </span></em></em><em><em><span id="result_box" lang="en">Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Sathyarti, awarded last October<span>.</span></span></em></em></p> <p>Two champions of children’s rights have been honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo.</p> <p>The award was shared between Indian activist Kailash Satyarthi, 60, and Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, at 17 the youngest person ever to receive it.</p>
<p><em>Super Soccer World 2014, a worldwide soccer tournament for teens who would like to use sports as an instrument for building relationships and for peace among different countries. There were 56 teams involved from various cities around the world.</em></p> <p><strong></strong><strong>A soccer tournament where the winner is not one team but two and from different parts of the planet</strong> sometimes very far from each other? Where Art Play is practiced and awarded? Where the sponsors are willing to donate an amount for every goal as a contribution to finance scholarships for teens from disadvantaged countries? Many initiatives and projects of solidarity? A “third playing time”…?</p> <p><strong></strong><strong>«This and many other things were part of the Super Soccer World 2014</strong> – Federico Rovea, one of the organizers of the event shared with us. This sporting event was promoted by the “<a href="http://www.focolare.org/en/movimento-dei-focolari/un-popolo/rpu/" target="_blank">Teens for Unity</a>” of the Focolare Movment and <strong>involved 56 soccer teams from various cities in the world»</strong>.
<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>
Economy & Work
Thirty-five years ago a dream was born: the Economy of Communion. In late May Argentina will host an extraordinary celebration where people of all ages will come together to breathe new life into this project and write the future for a different kind of economy.
Lorna Gold, Executive Director of Laudato Si’ Movement, reflects on ten years of the encyclical, analysing how integral ecology is an essential path to global unity and tackling the climate crisis.
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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