Focolare Movement

We want peace and unity among the peoples of the world

Sep 9, 2015

Confronted with the humanitarian drama of the refugees, the Focolare’s Youth for Unity step into action on many fronts, mobilising and appealing to international organisations, while joining in the efforts of the entire Movement.

OpenYourBordersReduce public funding of weapons; work at the root level of inequality, to counter misery; revise current models of governance; adopt a model of organised legality in opposition to criminality; guarantee universal primary education. These are the five main points of the appeal made by the young people of the Focolare’s Youth for a United World (YUW) to national parliaments, the European Parliament, the National Commissions of UNESCO and the United Nations. On March 12th of this year, 350 young people representing 39 countries presented their appeal to the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament. Their words have great resonance these days when faced by a humanitarian drama that can wait no longer for political reflections or national and international bureaucracies: “We are well aware of the global scene that is dotted by numerous conflicts, which cause migrations of people who are fleeing from violence, extreme poverty, hunger and social injustice in their own lands. These deep wounds concern all of us directly and urge us to find concrete solutions that are personally engaging.” They add: “Personal good will, will never produce universal brotherhood. We are convinced, in fact, that political action, directed at intervention into the causes of the conflicts and into the conditions that generate inequality, is required.” In their appeal the young people not only denounced these causes but presented explicitly clear requests. In these times when we are immersed in such a pressing humanitarian drama, the YUW also raises its voice to say: “We want peace and unity among the peoples of the world.” They invite everyone to spread the appeal, presenting it as soon as possible to international, national and local organisations (UN, UNESCO, Heads of State, Parliaments, mayors, religious leaders, etc.) They have chosen September 11th to “flood the social media with the Hashtag #OpenYourBorders.” They will also increase concrete activities and take part in those that are already underway through the United World Project. Photos, personal testimonies, events and videos in favour of welcome and peace can be posted on Facebook at ‘Dialogue to unlock or at info@unitedworldproject.org. The proceeds my be given to the local Caritas or else sent as a donation to the Youth for a United World Fund. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcAv0Lr34bw

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich: “God needs us”

Chiara Lubich: “God needs us”

‘See, I am making all things new.’ Chiara Lubich commented on the Word of Life for February 2026 in April 1989. Here is a brief excerpt.

When Illness Becomes Communion

When Illness Becomes Communion

Brian is from Ireland. He is 62 years old, married, with two daughters, a university professor who lives in Taiwan. Out of the blue he discovered he has a serious disease that has changed his whole life.

2025 Annual Report: moving from policy to culture

2025 Annual Report: moving from policy to culture

The 2025 Annual Report on activities for safeguarding as well as data relating to cases of abuse within the Focolare Movement is now available. Below you will find the introduction, accompanied by an interview with Bishop Alí Herrera, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors of the Catholic Church.