10 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato

With Maria Voce and Jesús Morán
Civil life, global citizenship, ecology, migration and refugees, inter-religious dialogue and Peace Education are only a few of the topics that were addressed during the seminar organized in Castel Gandolfo by the New Humanity NGO; and it included its own representatives from international forums of the United Nations in Paris, Geneva and New York. The New Humanity non-governmental organization that represents the Focolare Movement at the UN, has been working for thirty years, presenting theoretical contributions and best practices, to propose and promote a culture of dialogue and processes of peace. During the conference, attendees had an opportunity to compare projects and proposals that this unique observatory is able to bring to the international debate. The active participation by young people in the work brought a lot of liveliness to the discussion; and the proposals concerning the development of many future projects and events that the NGO promotes were very promising. The stages that many of the young people go through at international New Humanity centres leave an indelible mark on their cultural and human growth. They are able to come into contact with current problems that often regard international law, and they attend United Nations reunions and make written contributions to the documents that are proposed concerning a variety of topics. 
avide Bilardi, adjunct representative at the centre in Geneva, has been working in New Humanity for seven years: Davide Bilardi
“I’m part of the work group on Law and International Development in Geneva, and I believe that an NGO like this can have an impact within the context of an international organization like the United Nations. Common solutions can be found for the global challenges if, in the meantime, civil society tries more and more to reinforce sensitivity toward these issues that are of interest to the entire planet, and intervenes in the processes with things such as solidarity projects.” Esther Salamanca, Professor of International Law at the University of Valladolid in Spain, is convinced of it: “I work in Geneva with a group of experts for a declaration on human rights and, in particular, on international solidarity, a document that will soon be presented to the United Nations General Assembly. We work with other associations, experts and NGOs in an atmosphere of fraternity and collaboration.” 
Marco Desalvo, President and Cecilia Landucci, Vice president
The NGO’s president, Marco Desalvo, suggested that New Humanity’s presence at the UN is to represent the Focolare Movement and to be an often quite unknown channel, but one that is very active in producing pathways of peace. One recalls last year’s “Reinvent Peace” event that was held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and promoted by New Humanity. Leaders of the world and of culture, together with people that are working each and every day for peace, testified to how it is always the result of courageous shared decisions that are kept. There was an important moment of discussion during the meeting with Maria Voce and Jesús Morán, president and co-president of the Focolare Movement. They encouraged everyone involved in New Humanity, highlighting how their efforts contribute to bringing forward a network which brings together the opportunities that present themselves and the diverse projects that the Focolare promotes at various levels, including reflection and cultural elaboration. This is a project we want to strengthen so that it can contribute to a more united world.
9 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato
In the man Jesus there is participation in the very life of the Trinity, in the social life of God. This supernatural social life, which the life of grace brings to man, never destroys his natural life. There is instead a marvelous interweaving of the two. The supernatural social life, which is grace, will give origin to and allow for a social life that is naturally perfect, sincne Chrtist will found a visible Church. […] But what is the crossing point between Christ and the Church? How do move from the spiritual presence of the humanity of Christ to the presence of Christ in humanity? In order to understand it we must contemplate the human nature of Jesus before his death and after his Resurrection. We must meditate on his own flesh and blood which, after his exaltation, becomes life-giving. […] Before the crucifixion, the range of action of Christ’s humanity is circumscribed by the limits of his mortal body that is liable to death; with his death and Resurrection, it becomes life-giving spirit. […] Therefore, on the glorious Easter Sunday, when the Spirit penetrates and illumines every part of Jesus’s body, the Church also receives the Holy Spirit: it becomes the Body of Christ. You could say that Christ planted a particular body and raised up [a] Mystical Body, the Church. And so the mystery of human social life re-flowers also in these marvelous events. Since Christ wished to become a member of the human community, he became its Head. To this end, by suffering on the cross, he redeems the human race, since it it spiritually enclosed in him, and also his own flesh through which he wished to work the redemption; and so it acquires certain infinite dimensions. It is spiritualized and becomes the very image of the new humanity. That body which for the man a limiting principle, for Jesus after his Resurrection, is a universalizing principle of life. […] The term “Mystical Body of Christ” and its more precise and determining meaning, refers to the Church that continues the very work of Jesus here on earth. […] Christ, the Son of God, was a true man, he was perfect man; likewise, the Mystical Body is fully human, perfectly human, besides divine. The Incarnation is daily continuing its work, until the end of the ages, in the visible Church. Pasquale Foresi From: Pasquale Foresi, Teologia della Socialità, (Rome: Città Nuova, 1963), 85.
6 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato
The countdown for the 21st United World Week started. “We would like to generate a tam tam that, starting slowly, will rise up to generate much noise in the world!”, wrote us Youth for a United World. “Let us show the world all the concrete actions that, day after day, build bridges of brotherhood with #fraternitychallenge.On your Facebook wall, write something positive and invite two friends who will do the same for another 5 days … and so on, up to the United World Week! Use all the hashtags: #UnitedWorldProject, #FraternityChallenge, #Pulse, and #4Peace.
6 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato
254 dead, including 62 minors, more than 400 wounded and just as many lost. These are the dramatic numbers from the strong floods that have caused a veritable catastrophe in the city of Mocoa, 500 kilometres south of Bogotà in south Colombia. The president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, visited the site of the disaster, which was reduced to a mud heap, and said that the number of the missing is not yet known. The army is working around the clock searching for survivors and delivering humanitarian aid. A state of emergency has been declared in the entire region of the disaster, in order to hasten the recovery of victims. “It is difficult to describe not only the gravity of what took place, but also what the people are going through, including those of our own community in that region,” writes Alejandra from the focolare in Bogotà. “Seventeen quarters have been destroyed in the city of Mocoa with its 36,000 inhabitants. The train station has been fenced off.
We tried to regain contact with each person, but the situation is bad for everyone. In the zone that is already burdened by poverty and the guerilla, there are many priests from the Movement. Don Luis Fernando presided at a collective funeral, and Father Oscar Geovanny is still searching for his family members. Father Jorge has sent us some photos of his parishioners as they help and support people who have lost everything. Father Oscar Claros reports that of the 17 quarters that were complete wiped away, 5 of them were in his parish: entire families who lived the Word of Life have disappeared. He is personally involved in the work of distributing aid and supporting his parishioners.” “The Focolare community throughout the country is stepping up, gathering funds that can be sent to the site of the disaster, through priests of the Movement. The focolarini in Bogotà have activated a speedy channel of communication with people from the area, and are trying to support them and give them hope in these difficult moments. This morning we talked with Father Oscar Claros: “The situation is still chaotic, the zone without water and electricity, with the real threat of an epidemic.”
5 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato
“Our world is torn by blind violence, a violence that has also struck the heart of your beloved land. Our world needs peace, love and mercy.” See VIDEO MESSAGE
5 Apr 2017 | Non categorizzato
For about a year the Focolare communities around Rome, together with other associations, have organized various fundraising initiatives to support the “Chance for Tomorrow” project in Egypt which is aimed at helping children and women at risk in one of the poorest districts of Cairo. In order to express the closeness to this people recently hit by severe attacks, an information evening will be held in Grottaferrata on 22 April, where the project will be presented through life experiences and an immersion into the Egyptian culture; an account of what has been achieved so far, along with future prospects will also be presented.