“Be the Bridge”
April 24 – May 2, 2013
At Jerusalem in the name of universal brotherhood
120 young people from 20 different countries and representing tens of thousands of others from all over the world will be in Jerusalem from April 24 to May 2 to live together the event that will conclude the Year of the Genfest. They have chosen theHoly Land, a country of contrasts and divisions but an essential hub for a future of peace, where they want to “be bridges” of fraternity.
The programme includes academic and interreligious events. Very significant ones are the “Forum on Universal Brotherhood” to be held atBethlehemUniversity, the meeting with Vera Baboun, and the interreligious symposium atJerusalem, where Rabbi Ron Kronish, director of ICCI will participate.
These young people will also have the opportunity to meet the local people and get to know about their everyday life; amongst these locals there will be members of the Focolare Movement in this region. Among the various activities taking place during these days, there are workshops for school children that come from Jewish and Palestinian towns. These workshops are being organised by the musical groups Gen Rosso and Gen Verde and the highlight of this activity will be the two concerts performed.
On May 1 there will be a flashmob and a march for peace inJerusalem. Thousands of youth from all over the world will participate in the concluding programme through direct streaming. Direct link-ups with Loppiano (FI), Mumbai andBudapestare planned as part of this programme.
United World Week, the annual event organised by the youth of the Focolare Movement since 1996 will start from here. This is the tip of the iceberg of a commitment to promote unity and peace at all levels. So, “let us be ready” in line with the United World Project, launched precisely at Genfest 2012.
This broad commitment wants to be an answer to Pope Francis’ appeal to youth: “Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope” and it is a step towards World Youth Day 2013 at Rio di Janeiro.
“Be the Bridge” website