Focolare Movement

India: United World Week 2015

May 1, 2015

“Fabric, Flavour, Festival – discovering fraternity” is the title of the Youth for a United World’s annual worldwide appointment. This year’s main events will be held in India, at Mumbai and Coimbatore, spotlighting and sharing the uncertainty of the young people from Nepal regarding their country that has been devastated, and the families that have been displaced.

UWW_2015_aMore than 120 young representatives from 25 countries: from Japan to Italy, from Korea to Colombia, from Nepal to Romania, take part in an annual event that takes place within the framework of United World Week which is celebrated around the world and gives a witness that cultural and religious differences are not an obstacle between peoples but a springboard for a more united and fraternal world. This year’s title: “Fabric, Flavour, Festival – discovering fraternity,” focuses on 360° dialogue. Fabric. Face the challenges of dialogue in order to build a more United World: discovering one’s own identity; accepting and respecting others; and having the courage to take the first step. Festival: discovering one another as brothers and sisters. Flavour. Dialogue in action: living the Goldenn Rule, “Do to others what you would have them do to you;” opening the way to reciprocity and sharing. Multiculturalism was the leitmotif of the days in Mumbai. Representatives from the Shanti Ashram (Hindu Movement) and the Rissho Kosei-Kai (Buddhist Movement) joined with young Christians to share moments of brotherhood and service towards Indian young people and civil community. UWW_EqualStreets_4Lawrence from Religions for Peace says that he is here because “we need to show positive things to the world. We need to show the world that fraternity can change history.” Crisfan, a young Hindu, says that he met the Young People for a United World a few years ago: “ever since then, I have wanted to build bridges of fraternity. Religion is never an obstacle in India. Each person follows a path, but we’re all brothers and sisters.” He married a few months ago and also involved his wife in the adventure. The days were busy and intense, sharing in tragic events like that of Nepal where the earthquake produced thousands of victims. Sana and Roshan are also here in Mubmai; they have not been able to contact their families, but seem serene: “we’re sure that God is taking care of them.” Meanwhile, everybody prays. At day’s end we receive some nice news: their family are fine. They fled, but God’s love didn’t force them to wait. Maria Chiara, an Italian, tells us how she had long been hoping for such an experience. “When Christian invited me, I felt like I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. I’m here to know other young people and to learn to live the other person’s culture as my own.” Christian is Romanian and studies at Sophia University Institute in Italy. After visiting the Holy Land (2013) and Kenya (2014), this year I decided to close my books “and find out how fraternity is lived in a different culture than my own.” Concrete brotherhood is already a living experience at this international site in India, as all sorts of activities in favour of peace are being held in many other parts of the world.

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