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>The World Day of Migrant and Refugees is celebrated every Dicember 18. We want remember it with the message of Jean Paul II in 2005.</em></p> <p><strong>International Migrants Day</strong>, proclaimed by the United Nations in 2000, invites countries to celebrate this date because: "We owe this to the millions of migrants who, through their courage, vitality and dreams, help make our societies more prosperous, resilient and diverse."</p> <p><strong>We want remeber this occasion</strong> with the message dated 2005 of Jean Paul II.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></em></span></p> <p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"></span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">«<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><strong>1. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees</strong> is at hand. In the annual Message I usually address to you on this occasion, I would like this time to consider the phenomenon of migration from the perspective of integration.</span></span><strong>Many people</strong> use this word to denote the need for immigrants to be truly incorporated in the host country, but neither the content of this concept nor its practice is easy to define. In this regard I would like to sketch the picture by recalling the recent Instruction Erga migrantes caritas Christi (The love of Christ towards migrants) (cf. nos. 2, 42, 43, 62, 80, 89).</span></span></p>
<p><em>For "Protagonists of Fraternity" Chaira Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement that 7 December celebrated its seventy years old of foundation.Catholic, she was committed in person to building ecclesial communion, to ecumenism, to interreligious dialogue and among people of non-religious convictions.</em></p> <p><strong>Chiara Lubich (1920-2008), foundress of the Focolare Movement</strong> in 1943, is considered one of the most influential spiritual figures of the twentieth century. Catholic, she was committed in person to building ecclesial communion, to ecumenism, to interreligious dialogue and among people of non-religious convictions.</p> <p><strong>Decorated with 15</strong> honorary doctorates, in the most diverse disciplines, and with recognitions from national and international entities, as well as with honorary citizenships from major Italian cities and Buenos Aires, she tirelessly promoted a culture of unity and fraternity among peoples.</p> <p><strong>Historical profile</strong></p> <p><strong>Silvia, the baptismal name given to Chiara</strong>, was born in Trent on 22 January 1920. She was the second of four children, Gino, Liliana and Carla. Her father, Luigi Lubich, a wine-seller, ex-typesetter, anti-fascist and socialist, had once been a close colleague of the once socialist Benito, and later the unyielding political opponent of the fascist Mussolini. Her mother, Luigia, was animated by a strong traditional faith. (...)</p>
<p><em>The former British colony marks the passing of the anti-apartheid leader with a special event organised by an interfaith organisation at the South African High Commission in Colombo. Buddhist, Catholic, Christian and Hindu leaders offer a special prayer for the late president.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Sri Lanka "must nurture</strong> the values of forgiveness and reconciliation" as exemplified and promoted by Nelson Mandela, said Buddhist, Catholic, Christian and Hindu leaders from the Inter-Religious Peace Foundation (IRPF) at a special ceremony held last Wednesday in honour of the late leader and first post-Apartheid president of South Africa.</p> <p><strong>The event was held</strong> at the South African High Commission (Embassy) in Colombo and was Sri Lanka's way to pay tribute to Mandela. Many lay people from different religions also attended the gathering to honour Madiba with a special prayer.
<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><em>Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu meets with Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos in the capital Athens of Greece.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The Turkish Foreign Minister has arrived</strong> 13 Dicember in Athens for talks with his Greek counterpart. The main focus of the meeting was the divided island of Cyprus.</p> <p><strong>Hopes were high negotiations</strong> would resume over the future of the island last month but they stuttered over the wording of a joint statement due to be made by the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.</p> <p><strong>“Turkey and Greece have supported</strong> every process towards a peace agreement for Cyprus. We wish for peace in the broader area of the Middle East which is affected by peace in Cyprus,” said Ahmet Davutoglu Turkish Foreign Minister. “It is crucial that any proposed solution must be ratified by the Cypriot people in a referendum. This is the final and essential criterion,” stressed Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos.
<p><em>Milan, Friday 13th December at Associazione Arcobaleno, an occasion to better know<em> this people, affected by Hayan typhoon, </em>collecting aid and making our countries meet.</em></p> <p><strong>Friday 13th December is the day.</strong> In Milan,via Corsico 6, Porta Genova M2, “Associazione Arcobaleno” and the “Youth for a United World – Y4UW” with the Filipino Community propose together an evening of sharing and solidarity <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/551089758308269/?source=1" target="_blank">"Let's Philippines!"</a>. It consists of Filipino dances and music, along with the typical national food. It will also be possible to participate to raffle and give free donations.</p> <p><strong>This is an occasion to be close</strong> to the Filipino people, affected by Hayan typhoon: an opportunity to know better a country that is far and at the same time very close. We will be collecting any help you can give and make our two nations meet.</p>
<p><em>Hid German-Jewish family in attic for two years.</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>An Italian couple who hid</strong> a German-Jewish family in their attic for two years during World War II will be honored with the Righteous Among Nations award from Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial organization, sources said Thursday.</p> <p><strong>The late Giocondo and Annina Marconi</strong> from the town of Anghiari, in Tuscany, risked their lives to hide the four-member family from 1943-1945, while Italy was under Nazi occupation.</p> <p><strong>"They hid us under their</strong> roof in Piazza del Popolo 15 in Anghiari," said Holocaust survivor Joseph Saghi, who nominated the couple for the award and who now lives in a kibbutz north of Tel Aviv.</p>
<p><em>Francis says world produces enough to feed everyone.</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>The world cannot turn away</strong> from the scandal of almost one billion people suffering from hunger, says Pope Francis.</p> <p><strong>Because the world produces</strong> enough food for everyone, there is no justification for allowing hunger to continue, the pope added in a video message for the Caritas Internationalis campaign against world hunger.</p> <p><strong>"We cannot look the other way</strong> and pretend this does not exist," the pope said. He cited the Biblical parable of the loaves and fishes where Jesus found a way to feed an unanticipated crowd.
<p><em>The speech of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for International Human Rights Day observed annually on December 10.</em></p> <p><strong>Marking Human Rights Day</strong>, observed annually on December 10, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said the political will of member states is key to successfully promoting human rights worldwide.</p> <p><strong>In a message marking the occasion</strong>, Ban said "promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the United Nations, and the Organization has pursued this mission since its founding. Then, as now, the key to success is the political will of member states.
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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