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> </p> <p> <p style="font-size: 13px;"><em>Seven days after the typhoon, a beautiful sign in the sky for the Tacloban people who were so weary about the slow relief operations.</em></p> <div><strong>Dr. Suarez, a volunteer doctor in Tacloban</strong> posted on social media: “Every day there is a reason to be hopeful amid the bad news. I felt it and I know we have a lot to be hopeful about.” He posted the photo of a rainbow which he had taken as he climbed up on top of a structure on the morning of November 15, 2013 in Tacloban City, seven days after typhoon Haiyan hit Tacloban. It was a beautiful sign of hope for the Tacloban people who were so weary about the slow relief operations and the common sight of desperation in the city.
<p> </p> <p><em>'Promote inter-religious dialogue and cultural cooperation'.</em></p> <p><strong>Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II</strong> received Italian ambassador Maurizio Massari in the patriarchate offices of the Egyptian capital on Thursday. During a lengthy talk, reports an embassy statement, ''the beneficial collaboration between the Italian government and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt'' was discussed.</p> <p><strong>Massari reiterated the attention</strong> Italy has devoted to promoting inter-religious dialogue and expressed full support to Tawadros II ''for the recent, tragic incidents involving Coptic Christians in Upper Egypt, and especially in the Minya governorate''. In the sector of cultural cooperation, the diplomat illustrated to the Coptic pope the opportunities offered in the field of theological studies to Egyptian students and researchers through annual scholarships financed by the Italian foreign ministry at universities and research centers in Italy, as well as training possibilities from a recent collaboration program between the Italian Cooperation and the Italian National Research Center for young Egyptians with degrees in several different scientific and cultural fields.
<p> </p> <p><em>Faith must never generate intolerance, says Francis</em></p> <p><strong>Pope Francis spoke out</strong> strongly against religious violence on Friday during an audience with the Catholic Church's International Theological Commission.</p> <p><strong>"God is not a threat</strong> to man," the Argentine pontiff said.</p> <p><strong>"Faith in a single</strong>, three-times holy God is not, and cannot ever be, a generator of violence and intolerance".
<p><em>Natale Giunta turned four Mafiosi in for attempted extortion.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Sicilian chef Natale Giunta</strong>, who has been living under threat by organized crime after turning four men in for attempted extortion earlier this year, on Thursday renewed his appeal to businesspeople to stand up to the Mafia. "The racketeers started leaning on me in March 2012", the renowned restaurateur and TV cooking show star told a RAI 1 radio program this morning. "They told me I should put my business in order. In Mafia terms, you're supposed to ask the clans for permission before opening a business".</p> <p><strong>"I did not hesitate to go</strong> to the police, because that culture is alien to me", the Palermo native said.</p>
<p><em>Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president and an enduring icon of the struggle against racial oppression, died on Thursday, the government announced, leaving the nation without its moral center at a time of growing dissatisfaction with the country’s leaders.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>“Our nation has lost its greatest son,</strong>” President Jacob Zuma said in a televised address on Thursday night, adding that Mr. Mandela had died at 8:50 p.m. local time. “His humility, his compassion and his humanity earned him our love.”</p> <p><strong>Mr Zuma called Mr. Mandela’s death</strong> “the moment of our greatest sorrow,” and said that South Africa’s thoughts were now with the former president’s family. “They have sacrificed much and endured much so that our people could be free,” he said.</p> <p><strong>Mr. Mandela spent 27 years</strong> in prison after being convicted of treason by the white minority government, only to forge a peaceful end to white rule by negotiating with his captors after his release in 1990. He led the African National Congress, long a banned liberation movement, to a resounding electoral victory in 1994, the first fully democratic election in the country’s history.
<p> </p> <p><em>Rabbi Sid Schwarz, director of Faith and the Common Good at Auburn Theological Seminary, tells about his Hanukkah on the huffingtonpost.com blog. As with Christmas and Kwanza, Hanukkah falls during the winter solstice, in the darkest time of the year, "each of us will need to find ways to light a candle and banish away the darkness".</em></p> <p><strong>"On the first night of Hanukkah this year</strong>, I found myself in an unusual place. I was supposed to be at a Jewish communal event hosted by Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren. But at the last minute I was asked by the Indonesian Ambassador, Dino Patti Djalal, to participate in an interfaith panel which included one of the leading Muslim clerics of his country, Dr. Din Syamsuddin. Dr. Syamsuddin is the president of Muhammadiyah, an organization of 29 million Muslims that sponsors a wide range of social and educational programs in Indonesia and more than a dozen universities. Also on the panel was Rev. Michael Livingston, a Presbyterian and former president of the National Council of Churches who is now heading up their initiative to fight poverty.
<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><em>Task force proposals ready, 14 mln needed for Frontex operation</em></p> <p><strong>Brussels has allocated 30 million euros</strong> in funds for Italy's immigration emergency, EU commissioner for home affairs Cecilia Malmstrom said on Wednesday. The funds are aimed at programmes to welcome and assist migrants who land on Italy's coasts, including border patrols under Frontex mandate, the commissioner said, confirming the announcement made by President Jose Manuel Barroso after hundreds of migrants died off the Italian island of Lampedusa in October. Another 20 million have been allocated for emergencies in other member states.</p> <p><strong>The Task force set up after the immigrant</strong> shipwrecks off Lampedusa has drafted its proposals for a response of the European Union 'that can make a difference', announced Malstrom, who called on member states to use this unique opportunity to show that the EU is based on solidarity and support. The time has come to act, she said.
<p><em>Responding to a plea for help can sometimes have unforeseen consequences. This adventure of a community caring for the blind, gives rise to an original pilot experiment.</em></p> <p><strong>Oran, Algeria’s second city</strong>, overlooks the Mediterranean. It is also one of the major commercial and cultural centers of North Africa.</p> <p><strong>One group of mostly Muslims</strong> are engaged in living out the values of brotherhood as they are presented by the Focolare Movement. Scheherezad has been part of it since 1990. They have been involved in an ongoing experience with the blind: “In 1977,”she recounts, “I met a Catholic nun who was looking for someone who could teach French to a group of blind people from the city. I didn’t feel equipped for such a task, I’m a housewife and it seemed beyond my abilities. But in agreement with my husband, I decided to accept the work, thinking that there might be a plan of God in this.”</p>
<p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border-width: 0px;"><em>Approvede by assembly. The biggest challenge is yet to come when it is presented to the Egyptian people in the form of a referendum.</em></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border-width: 0px;"><strong>Egypt’s constituent assembly</strong> has completed its work on a draft Costitution. It reflects how far the balance of power has shifted since the secular- based army deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border-width: 0px;"><strong>Among the provisions</strong> is a ban on parties formed on religious basis, and a rule that any future president must get Supreme Council approval for the position of defence minister – which means the military.</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border-width: 0px;"><strong>“The 50 member committee</strong> has now approved the draft constitution with its new amendments, but the biggest challenge is yet to come when it is presented to the Egyptian people in the form of a (referendum), giving them a chance to have their say,” explained euronews correspondent Mohammed Shaikhibrahim.
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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