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><i>Live streaming and worldwide link-up via television channels. All the information you need in order to follow the closing event of the Genfest year</i> </p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://live.focolare.org/uww2013">Jerusalem, Budapest, Mumbai and Loppiano (Florence – Italy). In just one day, 1<sup>st</sup> May 2013, these four cities will be linked up together and with all the world through live streaming</a> and international tv transmission to make brotherhood visible. This is how the Youth for a United World celebrate the 1<sup>st</sup> of May.</p>
<p><em>One hundred and thirty Focolare young people from25 countries meet Mayor Vera Baboun in Bethlehem, along with some of their Palestinian age-mates. Mayor Baboun remarked: “In a country wounded by the absence of brotherhood the rule that says ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ is the real change”</em></p> <p>The Peace Centre is located in the multi-religious and political heart of Bethlehem. In the same square – a square of white stone and surrounded by palm trees – there is the Basilica of the Nativity and the Mosque, a coexistence that has nothing of confrontation or intolerance. Next door is the Town Hall and all around the colours of the Bethlehem market. There is also the haunting wall that the Israeli government has constructed in defence of its territory.
<p><em>An email from Cameroon to tell us how the United World Project is a continuous occasion for little actions of fraternity</em> </p> <p>«Lots of greetings from Fontem.</p> <p>«We are making steps ahead in the United World Project. At some point we felt the need of committing ourselves to live more before going ahead with the signatures, to be able to back the campaign up, with our own experiences. Things are going ahead gradually, but steadily. For example, Youth for United World club members of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College Fontem share about their little project; cleaning of refectory tables after breakfast every day, which is one of the problem areas. It has been a powerful challenge, which required much humility and courage in overcoming our shyness and pride to do such a mean exercise.</p>
<p><em>With minus, division, plus and equals. Youth for a United World of Jordan tell us their day "On the way" togheter the Ammad comunity </em></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“We, Youth for a United World, believe that a united world is built with the simplest acts of love toward the other in need where ever we are. Therefore, we decided to launch the initiative "</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">عالماشي</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> " or "On the Way" which basically calls the youth to do a drive in Amman (the capital of Jordan) and find creative ways to do "good" for whoever we meet "on the way". We were divided into Five groups each with a mission to do while driving into the City. Learning from the" Teens for Unity", we have used their own mathematical signs, which they have interpreted into concrete actions of Love, as slogans for each group's mission; for example, one of the groups had the "<strong>Minus</strong>" sign with the slogan "To reduce pain"; they went to a general park where they did lots of cleaning and picking up wastes and garbage; they also did some face painting with the kids who were playing with their families.</span></p>
<p><em>A letter from a <a href="http://giovaniperunmondounito.blogspot.it/" target="_blank">Youth for a United World</a>, Joel Pina, which tells us how in the heart of Africa are experiencing a piece of universal brotherhood for the Diocesan Youth Day</em></p> <p>“Well, I am here today, representing the Youth for a United World (Y4UW), a branch of the Focolare Movement.<br />What I am about to tell you is something really interesting! I hope that all of you will get this great idea! Or at least, become curious about it. It is something that has emerged from the youth but it is open to everyone else! It is the “United World Project”.</p>
<p><em>A huge flood submerged almost half of the city of La Plata, some parts of Buenos Aires and various towns round about. The solidarity it provoked was greater than any expectations.</em></p> <p>La Plata, 54 km from Buenos Aires, 750,000 inhabitants. On 2nd and 3rd April 2013 about 400 millimetres of rain led to a greater flood than had ever been seen before. More than half the city was submerged – in some places it was more than 2 metres deep. The previous day something similar, though on a smaller scale, struck Buenos Aires and some of the surrounding towns. The 59 deaths (6 in Buenos Aires, 2 in the surrounding towns and 51 in the city of La Plata) still trouble people and make them fear for the future. Despite all this, people’s solidarity swung into action yet again, meeting the victims’ the urgent needs.</p>
<p><em>On 25th March, a delegation of Youth for a United World (Y4UW) and New Humanity visited the MERCOSUR head office in Montevideo, Uruguay to meet Maria Paz Echeverriarza, the Education programme officer at the UNESCO Representation for Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay</em></p> <p>On 25th March, a delegation of <a href="giovaniperunmondounito.blogspot." target="_blank">Youth for a United World (Y4UW) </a>and <a href="http://www.new-humanity.org/it/" target="_blank">New Humanity</a> of Uruguay was received by María Paz Echeverriarza, ethnologist and responsible for the area of Education at the UNESCO Representation to the governments of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.</p> <p>The members of the delegation were welcomed in the beautiful meeting room overlooking the Río de la Plata at the MERCOSUR office, home to the UNESCO commission for Uruguay. In this informal meeting, María Paz Echeverriarza explained what are the current priorities of UNESCO in the world – “gender equality (among males and females)” and Africa – and at the regional level – to improve the educational level of the teaching staff and the removal of inequality in the distribution of incomes and opportunities.</p>
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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