eventLilia and Paul from Aleppo speak out in the name of their Syrian peers. Their message to the Youth for Unity of Argentina immediately went global: “Thanks, we feel your love and that you share our pain even if you are far. We, the Youth for Unity of Syria, live in three cities: Damascus, Aleppo, and Kfarbo (near Hama). There are 125 of us; 25 are here in Aleppo. There were more of us before, but due to the situation, many friends had to migrate.”  It’s the story of Marian, who left for Belgium. She didn’t want to go since all her friends remained in Syria, but had to join her family. «A very important moment for us is the Time Out at 12 noon. We try to pray not only among us, but also with our relatives and friends. One of us proposed this action to a Muslim friend, and so now, at 12, each one prays in his heart, according to his religion. We want to propose it also to all of you, so that peace can be achieved not only in Syria but throughout the world. We love you all!”

In Lebanon the United World Week started with the protection of the environment, with an ecological action to clean the beaches, together with #Recycle Lebanon and the Scouts. The theme is strongly felt by the Lebanese Youth for a United World who had already started to act to concretely take care of their own country, starting from the capital of Beirut. They then continued with a film-forum and concluded with a weekend dedicated to the city’s homeless.

In Taiwan, the Run4Unity was held in the north (Taipei), and south (Kaohsiung). In Taipei, also the Vice-President participated. In Southeast Asia they are preparing for an event for young people coming from many countries: Thailand, Korea, Bolivia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. At the end of the month there will be a sportive event for teenagers, in the name of Run4Unity. Likewise the run will take place in Manila and Cebu, in the Philippines.

20160506-02Many events were held in India which was the hotspot of United World Week in 2015: in Bangalore an International Food Festival was held with over 500 youths, aimed at uniting cultures through food, and also to finance the med-care of Solomon Ellis, a boy who was seriously injured in an accident. In Mumbai, at the YMCA Chembur, a district of the metropolis, there was a mural competition inspired by the theme of peace. Furthermore Run4Unity with games and a short marathon will soon take place. In New Delhi instead, at the Fr Agnel Bal Bhavan in Greater Noida, 300 orphaned children will be involved in various games and sports events to diffuse the Golden Rule .The children, aged between 5 and 17 and from various parts of India and Nepal, belong to diverse religions: Hindus, Christians Muslims and Sikhs. Moreover a Run4Unity link-up with Mexico is programmed for 8 May, since the Mexican sports event held in a symbolic place will conclude precisely in the “Gandhi Park.”

In Lahore, Pakistan, activities were held in a school run by the sisters of Mother Theresa: there were 120 children involved by a group of girls who wished to bring them a bit of joy.  One of them wrote: “At the start, it was hard to establish a relationship with these children, but in the end, they enjoyed it so much that they no longer wanted to leave.  I have changed a lot.”

Lastly, preparations are underway in Medan (Indonesia) for a peace concert next 14 May, the funds of which will be allocated to a Country at war. They have been working for months now to gather funds to cover the organizational expenses, by selling fruit juice, singing in restaurants, and looking for sponsors. Through songs and testimonials the youths will share their proposals to become builders of peace in daily life.

Maria Chiara De Lorenzo

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