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>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.
<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.
Health, Sport & Ecology
United World Week
Discover Run4Unity 2026, a global race bringing thousands of young people together in the name of peace. From Italy to Uganda, Brazil to Hong Kong, the relay of solidarity and sport forms just one part of United World Week 2026.
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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