1-12 May 2013

United World Project in progress: more than 700 initiatives towards universal brotherhood, the first developments regarding the permanent observatory.

“A united world begins with me”, said a young Frenchman summarizing this year’s experience achieved by Youth for a United World, who had the leading role in a myriad of concrete activities organized at local level.  In Nigeria, for example, 1000 Christians and Muslims, from various ethnic groups participated in the first national Genfest.  The Governor of Anambra State  and the Imam of the Muslim Community were also present. One of the participants said: “ Seeing Christians and  Muslims together at the Genfest I felt that building unity is not a dream but a reality”.

The kick-off to the United World Week took place on May 1 at Jerusalem through   a worldwide live transmission  that linked the 250 young people present there with thousands of others  the world over.  The two-way link-ups with Loppiano (FI), where 3000 young people were present, with Mumbai and Budapest reached more than a million people through social networks.

1-12 May 2013

United World Project in progress: more than 700 initiatives towards universal brotherhood, the first developments regarding the permanent observatory.

“A united world begins with me”, said a young Frenchman summarizing this year’s experience achieved by Youth for a United World, who had the leading role in a myriad of concrete activities organized at local level.  In Nigeria, for example, 1000 Christians and Muslims, from various ethnic groups participated in the first national Genfest.  The Governor of Anambra State  and the Imam of the Muslim Community were also present. One of the participants said: “ Seeing Christians and  Muslims together at the Genfest I felt that building unity is not a dream but a reality”.

The kick-off to the United World Week took place on May 1 at Jerusalem through   a worldwide live transmission  that linked the 250 young people present there with thousands of others  the world over.  The two-way link-ups with Loppiano (FI), where 3000 young people were present, with Mumbai and Budapest reached more than a million people through social networks.

The United World Project launched last September to the 12,000 youth present at the Budapest Genfest was presented everywhere.  Through the initiative of collecting signatures on site www.unitedworldproject.org , thousands are opting for the commitment to live the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This Project also includes the setting up of a permanent observatory, that has already registered more than 700 “fragments of fraternity”, that is, occasional or continuous initiatives carried out  by individuals or groups to promote brotherhood in everyday life.

Press Release

Updated on May, 16th 2013

LH

SIF – Focolare Information Service

April 24  –  May 2,  2013

At Jerusalem in the name of universal brotherhood

120 young people from 20 different countries and representing tens of thousands of others from all over the world will be in Jerusalem from April 24 to May 2 to live together  the event that will conclude the Year of the Genfest.  They have  chosen theHoly Land,  a country of contrasts and divisions but an essential hub for a future of peace,  where they want to “be bridges” of  fraternity.

The programme includes academic and interreligious events.   Very significant ones are the “Forum on Universal Brotherhood”  to be held atBethlehemUniversity, the meeting with Vera Baboun,  and the interreligious symposium atJerusalem, where Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of ICCI  will  participate.

April 24  –  May 2,  2013

At Jerusalem in the name of universal brotherhood

120 young people from 20 different countries and representing tens of thousands of others from all over the world will be in Jerusalem from April 24 to May 2 to live together  the event that will conclude the Year of the Genfest.  They have  chosen theHoly Land,  a country of contrasts and divisions but an essential hub for a future of peace,  where they want to “be bridges” of  fraternity.

The programme includes academic and interreligious events.   Very significant ones are the “Forum on Universal Brotherhood”  to be held atBethlehemUniversity, the meeting with Vera Baboun,  and the interreligious symposium atJerusalem, where Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of ICCI  will  participate.

These young people will also have the  opportunity to  meet the local people and get to know about their everyday life;  amongst these locals there will be  members of the Focolare  Movement in this region.    Among the various activities taking place during these days, there are workshops for school children  that come from Jewish and Palestinian towns. These workshops are being organised by the musical groups  Gen Rosso and Gen Verde and the highlight of this activity will be the two concerts performed.

On May 1 there will be a flashmob and  a march for  peace inJerusalem. Thousands of youth  from all over the world will participate in the concluding programme through direct streaming. Direct link-ups with Loppiano (FI), Mumbai andBudapestare planned as part of this programme.

United World Week, the annual event organised  by the youth of the Focolare Movement since 1996 will start from here.  This is the tip of the iceberg of a commitment to promote unity and peace at all levels. So, “let us be ready” in line with the United World Project,   launched  precisely at Genfest 2012.

This broad commitment wants to be an answer to Pope Francis’ appeal to youth: “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope” and it is a step towards World Youth Day 2013 at Rio di Janeiro.

Press Release  n°1

Programme

“Be the Bridge” website

April 17, 2013

Oreste Basso, a focolarino, one of the closest collaborators of Chiara Lubich since the 50’s, passed away peacefully at the age of 91  during the night of April 14.  He carried out  tasks of great responsability in the running of the Focolare Movement. Ordained priest in 1981, he considered his ministry as  a service and a calling to a greater love.

He was elected Co-president of the Movement in 1996, and he exerted a fundamental role at the time when the foundress passed away on March 14, 2008 and during the General Assembly which followed in July 2008, when a new president had to be elected. This assembly was the first of its kind for the Focolare Movement.

The heartfelt message sent by Pope Francis,  through the Secretariat of State, to Maria Voce, the president of the Movement,  recalls  «the generous ecclesial service of such a zealous priest, who knew  how to give himself completely to  the joyous proclamation of the Gospel and the diligent witness of charity».

April 17, 2013

Oreste Basso, a focolarino, one of the closest collaborators of Chiara Lubich since the 50’s, passed away peacefully at the age of 91  during the night of April 14.  He carried out  tasks of great responsability in the running of the Focolare Movement. Ordained priest in 1981, he considered his ministry as  a service and a calling to a greater love.

He was elected Co-president of the Movement in 1996, and he exerted a fundamental role at the time when the foundress passed away on March 14, 2008 and during the General Assembly which followed in July 2008, when a new president had to be elected. This assembly was the first of its kind for the Focolare Movement.

The heartfelt message sent by Pope Francis,  through the Secretariat of State, to Maria Voce, the president of the Movement,  recalls  «the generous ecclesial service of such a zealous priest, who knew  how to give himself completely to  the joyous proclamation of the Gospel and the diligent witness of charity».

Even the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Cardinal Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity sent messages to express their condolences.

Numerous messages, that pour in to the Focolare Centre from places all over the world, express deep gratitude  for  Oreste Basso’s tireless work to serve the Church,  in the Movement, and  for his limpid evangelical life.

The funeral was held on Monday April 15 at the international Centre of the Focolare Movement at Rocca di Papa,Rome.

Press Release

Updated on April, 18th 2013

UF

SIF – Focolare Information Service