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 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.
<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.
Dialogue & Interculture
United World Week
Every year, from May 1st to 7th, the United World Project support, together with the Focolare Movement and Youth for a United World (Y4UW), the United World Week, a global action where many people promote events and initiatives worldwide to foster dialogue, unity, and peace.
Dialogue & Interculture
Dialogue & Interculture
Dialogue & Interculture
United World Week
Here’s the key: knowing that we do not know. No one possesses the absolute Truth, and by engaging in dialogue with everyone we can grasp aspects or fragments of truth that help us reassemble a shattered vase that we can restore only if we are “together”.
Economy & Work
Anna Granata, professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca, reminds us that teaching peace is not an abstract utopia. It is something that happens every day in Italian classrooms among children with diverse stories, languages, and backgrounds.
Art & Social Commitment
Celebrated Marvel and DC artist Gabriele Dell’Otto invites us to consider the people who are working to build peace as the real superheroes of our world. A profound discussion on responsibility, citizenship, and the challenge of doing the extraordinary in our everyday lives.
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