12 May 2012 – Together for Europe
A fair economy, integration of refugees, the marginalized and families for a more humane society: these are some of the emergency situations facing today’s Europe that will be spoken about at the Together for Europe’s main event in Brussels on 12 May 2012. And the popular demonstration will be repeated on the same day in many cities across Europe. One of these activities will be that of the teenagers, which will be held contemporaneously with Together for Europe: the 2012 Run4Unity, a worldwide relay race promoted by Teens for Unity of the Focolare Movement. The basic objectives have been summarized in a series of “Yes” (to peace, to solidarity, to life and the family, to creation, and to a fair economy), which have been creatively expressed by the teenagers through mathematical signs. In many spots during the relay race the teenagers will become a flash mob that composes the word “Yes!” in several languages. Outline of the 12 May gathering at Brussels Square Meeting Centre Following a welcome from Brussels to the 150 cities that will be involved in the single European event, Together for Europe – how it began and what it can offer today’s Europe – has been entrusted to the president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce. Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, will give a presentation with reflections on the Contribution of Christian Movements and Communities to today’s Europe. Then the word will be given to European university students, followed by an overview of the emergency situations in Europe today including the defence of life and the environment, peace and citizen participation. The second part of the programme, beginning at 5.00pm local time, will be transmitted via internet and satellite, in connection with other local events. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio and Italian Government Minister for International Cooperation and Integration will speak, and space will also be provided for the teenagers and their creative involvement in the vision for Europe. Representatives of European institutions will be present, including Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, with a video message, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. At the conclusion Thomas Römer (YMCA, Munich), will present the “Brussels 2012 Manifesto”. The event was awarded the medal representing the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and was held under the patronage of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Comission; Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary of the European Council; Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. Official Together for Unity website Download the program
It is the last month of preparation by Youth for Unity who are building up to an event that, when last held in 2008, involved more than 100,000 young people from 9 to 17 all over the world. It involves young people of different ethnicities, cultures and religions, all running to give witness to their commitment to peace and unity by crossing some of the planet’s significant places. Many countries will take part. From Malta, where the island’s President with will start the race for young Christians from different movements and young Muslims; to the USA, in Texas, where the baton will be passed from city to city; to Australia, where there will be young people of all races including Aborigines, to South Africa. In Ireland the invitation to the relay race has gone out nationally to all the schools; in Lithuania the run through the streets of the capital will leave from the Parliament building. The baton will also pass through places symbolic for peace and unity. In the Holy Land young Jews, Muslims and Christian will run together to Caesarea Maritima, a location rich in history for the three religious and an important archaeological site. In Luxemburg the baton will pass by Schengen, famous for the convention that has given free movement for many citizens in the European Community. In continental Europe Run4unity 2012 will take place at the same time as the event Together for Europe. This event networks movements and Christian communities and has the commitment of reviving the continent’s Christian soul. The common objectives have been summed up in a repeated ‘yes’ (to peace, to solidarity, to life, to the family…) which using their creativity the young people have expressed in Mathematical symbols. In many places touched by the relay race across the world, young people will create flash mobs to compose ‘yes’ in various languages. In some places important people from the worlds of sport or culture will be present, or there will be civil or religious authorities. The relay race will be opened in Oceania at 15:00 local time. Then, as the hour passes 16:00, the event will pass to the next time zone, and so on until all time zones have been covered. In various locations at different latitudes there will be held sporting events, actions demonstrating solidarity with others and good neighbour activities in places of great loneliness, poverty and marginalizaton. On the web, from Facebook to YouTube, many messages, photos and videos show how many things are already in progress in many countries across the globe. On 12 May then, on the internet, it will be possible to watch Run4unity. Updates are planned throughout the 24 hours and in several cities in the continents there will be conference calls run by the young people to follow the progress of the batons.