AMU: Twenty years together, promoting international solidarity
AMU – Action for a united world (Azione per un Mondo Unito): an NGO with a familiar name in the field of international cooperation, that began with the aim of promoting projects in the southern hemisphere, and spreading a culture of dialogue and unity between peoples. Over the years AMU has created 20 long-term development projects in Argentina, Brazil, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Uganda, the Philippines and Croatia, It has also supported over 260 micro-projects, designed and carried out in response to local needs, and working with local communities, in many countries throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The objective of all cooperative activities of AMU is the total development of the community that receives aid, achieved through the social and educational commitment of members of the Focolare Movement, present in those countries. One of the aims of the meeting next June 2 and 3, which is for supporters of AMU and anyone interested in cooperation and development, is to recap the story of AMU, interviewing those who have been involved. It will also look, via video linkup, at development projects in Palestine and Congo, and in Argentina and Indonesia at projects that are helping these countries to pass from emergency situations back to normal life. A session called “AMU for a culture of fraternity”, will explore the concept of global awareness and citizenship. The final session will be devoted to the cultural implications of “development and reciprocity” and the conclusion will look ahead to future projects and ideas in Italy and the rest of the world. www.azionemondounito.org
D R Congo: social and health project, prevention and treatment of AIDS (Kinshasa) Cameroon: health, educational and cultural services, in Lebialem Division Brazil: formation and micro enterprise development at Benevides (Parà) Argentina: rehabilitation centre for disabled children (Rosario) Uruguay: social animation and professional formation (Montevideo) Palestine: peace education and economic support for families (Bethlehem) Lebanon: social and economic reconstruction in the south after the 2006 war Vietnam: family assistance to prevent the abandonment of children (Kontum and Binh Duong) South East Asia: Emergency and reconstruction aid after the tsunami of 2004 Sudan: Schooling for child victims of the civil war Current microprojects Professional and school education (Algeria, Brazil, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan) Infrastructure and hygiene (Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Tanzania) Child and family support (Brazil, Bolivia, India, Vietnam) Economic and social development (Argentina, Cameroon, Colombia, Kenya, Madagascar, Paraguay) Development Education projects “ABC … of solidarity for peace education and the development of the new united Europe”; “Water for all! International year of fresh water”, Water campaign 2003; “Water: a common good, everyone’s right” Principal formation courses for school teachers and staff The “other” in the teaching relationship (Benevento, March 2003) Intercultural integration (first, second and third course in Treviso, November 2004,2005, 2006) Education to values for responsible citizenship (Rome, February 2004) From fragmentation to unity. The point of view of the educator, the point of view of education (Rome, April 2004) Teaching and Intercultural methodology (Treviso, November 2004) Global village or global supermarket? Topics for reflection in economics and globalisation (Grottaferrata, November 2004) Education in knowledge and values, for an active and responsible citizenship (Piacenza, December 2004) Water a common good for all: education to active citizenship (Cagliari, January 2005) Encounter, the icon of pro-sociality (Caserta, January 2005) Relationships in the practice of the Law: is there space for fraternity? (Rome, November 2005) Active citizenship: communication and civil life (Caserta, March 2006) … the city as a school: international convention on pedagogy (Rome, April 2006) Education to active and responsible citizenship (Perugia, March 2006) Information sources Magazine: AMU notizie (news) Every three months Video: “Magnificat, a land of hope”, “Side by side” DVD: AMU rehabilitation projects in South East Asia
The great manifestation “Together for Europe” started off in a festive atmosphere. This event is the outcome of an ongoing growing process of communion among Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Anglican Movements from all over Europe. The 8,000 adherents gathered here belong to over 250 Christian Movements and Communities. Pope Benedict XVI’s message, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcizio Bertone, wished that the initiative “strengthens the desire of communion” that animates this ecclesial reality and “contributes towards loosening prejudices, overcoming nationalisms and historical barriers and spurring on the commitment so that Europe’s spiritual dimension may not come short in these post-modern times”. Together for Europe: It is a life programme extends its roots in day-to-day living, which was traced out this morning at Stuttgart. “To whom should we go to? Where should we go? It is the question we ask ourselves regarding the future of Europe”, said Ulrich Parzany – Evangelical Pastor promoter of the evangelisation project ProChrist. “Along with the enthusiasm for Europe, a sense of scepticism, fear of enduring disadvantages has taken over. The currents of our times toss us here and there. With serene confidence we repeat: Lord, to whom should we go to? You have words of life”. He is the answer to the questions of the youth, as highlighted by Nicky Gumble, Anglican, responsible for the evangelisation courses Alpha International born in the Anglican Church: “Youth look for transcendence, a scope in their life”. 
Andrea Riccardi, founder of Saint Egidio Community, spoke about the historical deep current that is becoming ever more important. “In an Europe with rigid institutions, where processes delay and politicians hesitate, there is a need for – he said – a prophetic people, capable of provoking a sentiment of unity that becomes a vital current among our European, Christian and non-Christian, believing and non-believing co-citizens, so that Europe may promote a new current of passion for unity, capable of overpowering rigidity and boundaries. In this way, Europe may look beyond its frontiers, towards Africa where two thirds are excluded from well being”. Chiara Lubich deepened the source from which a new current of life gushes out. Her words – read by one of her first companions, Bruna Tomasi – touched the mystery of Jesus in that moment on the cross when he cries out his abandonment. In him, there is the image of every wound, darkness, doubt, inner trouble. 
“In recognising and loving him, present in every countenance of sorrow, – she concluded – we could welcome the cry of today’s humanity and having redeemed everything through his cry, we can create around us a renewed society that the world awaits”. In the afternoon the testimony of the Gospel vitality in the renewal of the family, economy and work, the day-to-day life in multicultural cities, old and new poverties, justice and peace. With the participation of political personalities such as the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Vice President of the European Commission Jacques Barrot. (From Stuttgart, Carla Cotignoli for Vatican Radio)
This experience will become stronger and more effective, the more it is lived in communion. In fact, “Together for Europe” is more than just an event. It is the experience of a journey that is growing and in depth and breadth, among catholic and evangelical, orthodox and Anglican movements and communities, and also those of the free churches of Europe. It is a journey that began in 1999, marked by an important step in 2004: the first preparatory congress and large-scale gathering, also held in Stuttgart. “God is the one at work in this ‘journey’ “, said Pross, “He is the one who has made possible the many sources of grace that the people of our time can draw on, to quench the deep thirst that they feel”. There are many striking effects of this journey. In Leipzig, sixteen movements together have been a sign of reconciliation for non-believers. They are new stimulus for overcoming persistent fears and diffidence between East and West Germany. In Albania, in a similar meeting, there are people from Kosovo: “A ray of light”. In Copenhagen, Denmark, the movements are breaking down prejudice between Catholics and Protestants. In Switzerland, a large day meeting with 48,000 people. All 2008 towns and villages are there with their flags, and a national movement of prayer is launched, the sign of a renewed spirit of faith and reconciliation. This morning they meditated on the spirituality of unity with a reading from a talk by Chiara Lubich. This afternoon, the participants are meeting in 20 different forums looking at a wide variety of spiritual and social themes. Carla Cotignoli for Vatican Radio
After three years of preparation, the second international gathering in Stuttgart on May 12, linked by satellite to parallel events in many European cities, is about to happen. Thousands of people from Western and Central Europe will be present at the Hanns-Martin Schleyer Halle, and simultaneous gatherings will take place in cities such as Paris, Moscow, Belfast, Madrid, Budapest and Prague. Afterwards, in the second half of May, the Stuttgart experience will be lived all over again in over 30 of the main cities of Italy. What is “Together for Europe?” It is a meeting of witness, inspired by the values of fraternity and sharing. It offers a way of overcoming prejudice, nationalism, historical wounds, social conflict, the fear of the future and loss of identity, and an answer to the big questions of meaning and values. “TOGETHER”, two hundred and fifty communities and movements from all over Europe meeting to build bridges between different cultures and peoples, between citizens and institutions, and to give a new impetus to the construction of the continent. THE PROGRAMME The historical, cultural and spiritual dimensions will be explored by: Ulrich Parzany, evangelical pastor and leader of the Pro-Christ movement for evangelisation; Nicky Gumbel, president of Alpha International, which came to life in the Anglican Church; Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St Egidio Community; and Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. The second part of the event will focus on experiences and initiatives drawn from different parts of Europe, illustrating how the movements and new communities: 
support and encourage family life 
Since 2004… “Together for Europe” is, more than anything, a new journey of communion among movements and communities of different Churches, a “test bed” of Europe as a family of united peoples. The first large gathering at Stuttgart on May 8 2004, which, thanks to the effect of the media, reached almost 100,000 Europeans, present at simultaneous and other meetings, marked a stage of this journey. It is a growing process: one hundred and seventy movements and communities involved in 2004; two hundred and fifty in 2007. The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 1957; with Europe Week commemorating the end of the Second World War on May 8 1945; and Europe Day, May 9, the anniversary of Robert Schuman’s historical declaration of 1950, proposing a community at the service of peace, forerunner of the European Union. “Together for Europe” will be preceded and prepared by the congress “Together on the way” for those responsible for, and co-workers from, the various Movements and communities, in Stuttgart from May 10-11. Over 20 forums and 16 round table discussions will address many topics including: evangelisation, ecumenism, marriage and the family, the defence of life, political commitment, immigration, economics, the environment, mass media, peace and justice. Promoters of the event The promoters of the event are: Friedrich Aschoff, Charismatic Renewal in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germany; Christophe D’Aloisio, Syndesmos – a fraternity of 126 orthodox youth organisations; Nicky Gumbel, Alpha International – evangelisation courses which came to life in the Anglican Church; Chiara Lubich, Focolare Movement; Michael J. Marmann, Schönstatt (catholic); Helmut Nicklas, YMCA, international ecumenical youth organisation; Ulrich Parzany, Pro Christ, evangelisation initiative born in the evangelical Lutheran church; Gerhard Pross, Coordinator of periodical meetings for those responsible for Evangelical Movements and communities; Andrea Riccardi, Saint Egidio community; Thomas Römer, YMCA, Munich; Gérard Testard, Fondacio – born in the catholic church in France; Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche, Fraternity of Christ, of Selbitz, born in the evangelical Lutheran tradition. For more information: