In a world marked by war, crises, and polarization, dialogue and cooperation remain the only paths to peace. With this conviction, New Humanity NGO joined the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum that convened its Group of Friends at Cascais, Portugal, from November 25th to 27th. Under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future — Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity,” the event brought together diverse stakeholders—including religious leaders, academics, youth, media, and civil society representatives. High-profile attendees included António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, the king Felipe from Spain, several current foreign ministers and previous prime ministers of European countries.

New Humanity NGO of the Focolare Movement and member of UNAOC’s Multifaith Advisory Council highlighted the organization’s commitment to fostering a just and united society, where faiths are spaces of encounter and collaboration. Rooted in decades of grassroots initiatives, New Humanity bridges local action with international diplomacy to tackle global challenges and promote peace. This participation underscored the importance of multilateral efforts to restore trust and reshape a future of harmony and collaboration among international institutions, religious organizations and the private sector.

Our commitment

During the Global Forum, Ana Clara Giovani and André Correia, youth representatives of the Focolare Movement, along with Maddalena Maltese, the main representative of the New Humanity NGO in New York, presented the document “Together to Care – For Our Human Family and Our Common Home.” This document represents a commitment by the Youth for a United World (Y4UW) to the Pact for the Future, approved by the United Nations last September.

Al Genfest 2024, un raduno di 4.000 giovani provenienti da tutto il mondo tenutosi in Brasile, sono stati lanciati otto hub di innovazione per promuovere l’unità della famiglia umana e prendersi cura della nostra casa comune. Le otto Comunità Mondo Unito hanno consolidato e sviluppato proposte e progetti ispirati alla spiritualità dell’unità del Movimento dei Focolari, in linea con i principi della Dichiarazione delle Nazioni Unite sui Diritti Umani e del Patto per il Futuro dell’ONU. Queste iniziative si concentrano su aree quali lo sviluppo sostenibile, l’azione per il clima, la promozione della pace e dei diritti umani, il dialogo interculturale, la coesione sociale e l’empowerment dei giovani.

These projects and proposals form the core of the document presented in Cascais. It opens with a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, acknowledging his tireless efforts to champion peace and sustainable development. Among the key proposals are the establishment of a High-Level Youth Forum to integrate youth perspectives into global decision-making, and preparations for the UN’s 80th anniversary and COP 30, showcasing youth-led solutions for urban sustainability and climate justice.

Presented to Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, and Felipe Paullier, High Representative for Youth Affairs, the document received enthusiastic support. Both leaders recognized New Humanity’s long-standing contributions and expressed interest in further analyzing the proposals. This engagement underscored the pivotal role of youth in shaping policies for a just and sustainable future, strengthening the connection between grassroots actions and international diplomacy.

Next Steps

To expand the reach and effectiveness of this work, United World Ambassadors, a youth network, will play a pivotal role in connecting grassroots initiatives to international frameworks like the United Nations, ensuring that local actions resonate globally.

New Humanity remains committed to bridging grassroots initiatives with high-level organizations, advancing its mission to promote fraternity, dialogue, and sustainable development. The connections established during the UNAOC Global Forum will be instrumental in strengthening the impact of our projects and amplifying the voices of youth worldwide.

To download the document, in English, click on the image

First published at focolare.org

L'articolo New Humanity NGO elevates GenFest proposals at UNAOC Global Forum proviene da New Humanity.

Part of New Humanity’s broader efforts, the project has been supporting a network of around 500 local producers, many of whom come from conflict-prone areas. By providing a platform for these producers to directly sell their products, MadeByNature helps build a sustainable economy that not only supports the local farming community but also works to ensure food security in Lebanon.  

To share more about this important project, Christiane and Marc Beyrouthy, from MadeByNature, have created a video detailing their work and how you can get involved. This initiative was also presented as part of global efforts to tackle food insecurity at the FAO headquarters in Rome during the seminar “The Right to Food: Between Deprivation and Waste – It’s Time to Act,” held on October 10, 2024.  

Watch the video to learn more about the situation and the ways you can support.  

Donations can be done through madebynaturelb.com or via WhatsApp 00961 76 363 353. 

L'articolo How this company is ensuring food security for Lebanese in war zone proviene da New Humanity.

L'articolo Bridging science and society: International Congress sparks new vision for Relational Sustainability proviene da New Humanity.

The seminar provided a platform for participants to discuss strategies to ensure fair and sustainable access to food for all. New Humanity had the opportunity to share several concrete experiences from our Zero Hunger initiative, highlighting the diverse projects we’ve implemented across the globe to address food security, sustainability, and environmental protection. 

During the seminar and inspired by our partnership with FAO and a previous joint publication like the Activity Book with Good Practices of Teens of the “Zero Hunger Generation”, we took the floor to share the most recent collection of positive actions by young people and organizations from various countries contributing to the goal of Zero Hunger: 

• Italy: Educational workshops on peace and integral ecology, fostering a holistic approach to food security and sustainability among young people. 

• Korea: A community garden project initiated by local youth, promoting food sustainability and community involvement. 

• Ecuador: Advocacy against deforestation and water contamination, as well as local projects aimed at caring for the planet and educating communities on sustainability practices. 

• Brazil: The UNIredes initiative, which brings together 74 partner organizations to collaborate to support and assist those most in need, creating a strong social safety net. 

• Lebanon: The MadeByNature agribusiness project, which supports a network of around 3,000 local producers, many of whom come from conflict-prone areas. By offering a platform for direct sales of their products, the project helps build a sustainable economy that supports local communities. 

These diverse projects demonstrate how young people and organizations across the world are becoming protagonists of change, using their energy and ideas to combat hunger and promote sustainability in their communities. Although the seminar took place earlier this month, its messages are especially relevant as we mark World Food Day 2024. The global hunger crisis requires urgent and unified action—whether through innovative agricultural technologies, stronger international cooperation, or grassroots community efforts. Now is the time to act. 

Guided by the principles of universal fraternity and inspired by the words of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, we believe that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference. Chiara’s call to “die for humanity” inspires our work to serve the most vulnerable. Through partnerships with both public and private sectors, we continue to build networks of support to meet the needs of those affected by hunger and food insecurity. 

During the FAO event, Róisín Reynolds from Taiwan reflected,  

   “Eliminating hunger isn’t as simple as it might seem; there are countless challenges, and sometimes it feels like we are moving backward. However, what we have witnessed today shows that many people are working tirelessly for the same goal. It’s up to us to join them in the fight against hunger.” 

On World Food Day 2024, we renew our commitment to achieving Zero Hunger. By working together, we can build a world where no one goes hungry, and where food systems are fair, sustainable, and inclusive for all. 

Always in Unity, 
Luzi and Egide 

New Humanity NGO 

L'articolo Zero Hunger Generation and “The Right to Food: Between Deprivation and Waste” Event  proviene da New Humanity.

From May 30 to June 2 in Castel Gandolfo (RM), the second of three job shadowing meetings was held as part of the Erasmus+ project “M.E.D.I.T.erraNEW,” with the participation of educational partners from France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Egypt, and Lebanon.

The project aims to facilitate a pedagogical exchange between associations from Mediterranean countries working with youths aged 13 to 17, focusing on minors with a migratory background. The goal is to renew and enhance educational programs in a multidisciplinary and integrated manner and to implement them for the benefit of the young people in contact with these organizations. 

During the meeting, work sessions on the presentation and exchange of methodologies opened with the integration of minors with a migratory background. Azione Famiglie Nuove presented the “Fare Sistema Oltre l’Accoglienza” (FSOA) project, a program of social and occupational inclusion. Significant were the testimonies of Steve and Mamhou, respectively an educator at Casa Ismaele in Calabria, and a young person previously accommodated there. They highlighted key aspects such as the importance of welcoming, accepting differences, building support networks in the community, and especially a personalized intervention approach for each foreign minor under their care, with whom an individualized educational pact is carried out. This tool was appreciated by all educators present. The narratives showed how understanding others leads to overcoming prejudices and stereotypes, forming the basis for effective inclusion. Additionally, the effectiveness of the peer-to-peer methodology implemented by already integrated young foreigners towards their peers was highlighted.

Educational programs on peace education and active citizenship were then presented, including the international project “Living Peace” and the methodology “Six Steps for One Goal” (6X1), inspired by Service Learning. These are promoted in schools and other informal educational settings for youth in many countries. The proposed pedagogical tools led to shared work and a commitment to apply these methods in various contexts, with active participation of young people, creating exchange relationships, dialogue, and conflict resolution.

The testimonies of some young peace ambassadors were a moment of great involvement, demonstrating how peace starts from each individual and begins with small daily actions that every young person can take, with amplified impacts in their living context.

The following days were dedicated to intercultural and interreligious dialogue, through sharing methodologies and best practices that value dialogue, respect for others’ beliefs, and building relationships based on the Golden Rule found in major faiths, summarized as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Facilitated by the context of the international symposium “One Human Family,” which included over 400 participants – Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Baha’is, and representatives of traditional African religions – the role of religions in weaving bonds of fraternity was highlighted. Testimonies from people in different conflict contexts demonstrated that engaging with others transforms many polarizations into supportive human relationships.

Discussions with educators addressed current issues such as the impact of new technologies and artificial intelligence on dialogue with new generations, and economic and environmental sustainability. The ongoing exchange of methodological approaches and between educators from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds has strengthened the intercultural competencies necessary for the interweaving of peoples and cultures in the Mediterranean. It has laid the foundation for more effective educational action for young people, based on an approach that better meets their needs and requirements.

Collaboration, network creation, organizational growth, and the enhancement of intercultural and interreligious dialogue emerged as key elements for creating a spirit of fraternity and peace in the Mediterranean basin.

Discover the project: https://www.new-humanity.org/project/mediterranew/

Lead organization: Centro Internazionale Studenti Giorgio La Pira – Fondazione.

Project partners: New Humanity; Fondazione Igino Giordani; Humanité Nouvelle; United World for Social Services; Cooperativa Gen Rosso; Azione Famiglie Nuove; Udruga Za Ekonomiju Zajednistva; Fonds Focolari Actions Solidarité.

L'articolo Network and Dialogue for the Creation of a Spirit of Unity and Peace in the Mediterranean Basin proviene da New Humanity.

“Embracing Hope.” With this wish, about 200 people from the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and all over Europe met at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo (Rome) from May 16 to 19.

They are the contact persons of the New Humanity movement,  the social expression of the Focolare Movement, New Humanity the NGO with consultative status in the United Nations, along with representatives of disciplines that dialogue with contemporary culture, the contact persons of Teens4Unity and of AMU (Action for a United World), the NGO that deals with special projects and development.

Also in attendance was a delegation of very young high school students who are part of Living Peace International, along with young ambassadors for peace, such as Joseph, from Sierra Leone, who narrated how at the age of six he was recruited as a child soldier and has now become a young peace leader.

For some time now, these various social expressions -each with its own characteristics and goals- have been working together to help provide concrete responses to the burning issues and expectations of the contemporary world: “Together for Humanity” is their new name. Taking up the Pope’s invitation to the Focolare Movement during a private audience on Dec. 7, 2023, which was to “be artisans of peace in a world torn apart by conflict,” they wanted to dedicate the meeting precisely to peace.

An experience of listening, communal reflection and concrete planning, carried out in the eight communities distinguished by areas and passions. A journey that will continue with the Genfest in Brazil next July, intertwine with the United Nations Summit for Future in September 2024, and with the event in Nairobi with the youth and cities of the world, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. During the meeting, those present, with the help of experts and testimonies, professors, diplomats, social and cultural actors, and organized citizens, reflected on the issue of what is peace, if it is indeed possible to achieve it and by what means.

So many touching experiences from countries in conflict. From Syria, they recounted the brutality of the war they have been experiencing since 2011, aggravated by the embargo affecting an exhausted population. AMU projects such as RESTART, which supports micro businesses with loans and personalized mentoring, have helped slow constant migration processes. Christiane, from Lebanon, despite the situation in her country, characterized by very high inflation and high emigration rates aggravated by the impacts of the war in the Middle East, did not give up: she set up with her husband a productive enterprise for family support and to also help other artisans and rural producers sell their products. The productive initiative also extended to Egypt. From Congo, the fruits of the school for training leaders for peace were presented. A graduate of this school, Joëlle, a journalist and a presidential candidate of the Republic of Congo, launched her presidential platform with the values of peace and social justice. Youths from Ukraine greeted those present with a video, and so did some youths from Bethlehem, Pakistan, Cuba, and the Philippines. The “Together for a New Africa” (T4NA) project for African youth interested in changing the continent was presented: trained hundreds of youth and involved another 9,000 youth in an experience that reached 14 African nations.  The same is being done in Mexico with the National Agenda for Peace, in the United States with courageous conversations against racism.

There is a need for true peace and human rights education as well as the need to name conflicts, exploring their reasons, trying to resolve them with a community strategy that listens to diverse and plural positions which precedes and accompanies every negotiation. It has been said that peace is not only the absence of war. Not everything that is called order is peace. It is not ideological: it is not pacifism. It is the condition in which each person can think and realize his own future. But we need to learn dialogue as a methodology, with which to be willing to lose something for the greater good. This is basically the reason for which perhaps negotiations are not progressive and even international organizations do not seem to be able to handle the crisis. Dialogue, trust, local and global networks, inter-generation, community. We start from here, from these key words, encouraged also by Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán , President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, who were present on the final day. This is the road to peace, to which we want to contribute concretely, and together.

Mario Bruno
Photo © Matías Blanco

First published in focolare.org. 

L'articolo ‘Together for Humanity’: Peace and Dialogue as a Methodology proviene da New Humanity.

Dialogue is the focus of the Focolare Movement’s second “Communion in Action Report,” the mission statement presented onthe 20th of February 2024 at the General Curia of the Society of Jesus in Rome. The document, translated into five languages (Italian, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese), is an overview of the activities and initiatives promoted by the Focolare in the year 2022, a narrative not only of the spontaneous sharing of goods, but of inspired experiences and initiatives lived worldwide, specifically for this publication, from and to the dialogues: that between Ecclesial Movements and New Communities in the Catholic Church; that between the various Christian Churches; that between different religions, with different cultures, with Institutions, and in engagement with the many global challenges.

Among the speakers at the presentation press conference, in the presence of Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, were Monsignor Juan Fernando Usma Gómez, Head of the Western Section of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity, Dr. Giuseppe Notarstefano, National President of Italian Catholic Action, Dr. Rita Moussallem, head of the Focolare’s Center for Interreligious Dialogue, and Giancarlo Crisanti, Focolare’s general administrator. Participating via internet were Monsignor Athenagoras Fasiolo, Bishop of Terme and auxiliary of the Holy Orthodox Archdiocese of Italy, and Prof. Stefano Zamagni, economist and professor of Political Economy at the University of Bologna.

The session, which was moderated by journalist Alessandro de Carolis, was a true exchange of reflections and emphasized how such seemingly antipodal terms as “budget” and “communion” can complement each other, accounting not only for numbers but also for life.

Read the full article at focolare.org

L'articolo Communion in Action Report: communicating achievements so that good can circulate proviene da New Humanity.

Analysis and good practices emerged on an international scale at a seminar organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Pontifical Gregorian University, together with the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to FAO, IFAD and WFP, and the Rome Forum of Catholic-inspired Non-Governmental Organizations. The contribution of New Humanity and Action for a United World.

We know that the role of women in community development and the ability to ensure food security in the light of integral ecology is excellently covered.

Although it is often invisible in the eyes of many, the good accomplished by them is not only realized in every relationship but extends and generates community. This is what was expressed in the conclusions by Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the FAO, who well summarized the theme of the study seminar “Women and Food Security: a bond to be strengthened” held on May 22 at the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Gregorian University.

The seminar dealt with this theme through several papers that were dense in content and capable of triggering profound reflections, as well as some experiences of Catholic-inspired NGOs that brought out the importance of women in promoting education, economic livelihood, and family and community development. Each report helped illuminate one aspect of the inextricable link between women and food security. It began with an illustration by Prof. Nuria Calduch, head of the Department of Biblical Theology at the university hosting the conference, of the pages of the Bible that speak of women’s dedicated and generous agricultural work, almost as if to redeem the evil they have committed and for the benefit of all men.

Instead, Prof. Stefano Zamagni, emeritus of Political Economy at the University of Bologna, extolled the role of women starting with food education, which should be carried out already in the family.

Unfortunately, the economist pointed out, this role of hers is threatened by the crisis of the family institution itself but perhaps even more so, with regard to food security, by the oligopoly of seeds. Those who manage them have no interest in making quality available or maintaining stable production; in this context, the woman is completely excluded.

This condition, or her irregular, transient, meager involvement, probably makes the fight against hunger problematic. A fact highlighted by the alarming numbers set out in the report by Dr. Marcela Villareal, director of the Division of Partnerships and Collaboration with the UN at FAO. Yet women, as Villareal points out, precisely in rural management and work, even in the case of particular events (natural disasters, pandemics, etc.) perform better than men and are more effective.

Subsequent reports by Dr. Karinki, a representative of the legal department of UNIDROIT (an auxiliary body of the United Nations), and Dr. Satu Santala, associate vice president for external relations and governance of IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), confirmed the difficulties of women in ‘accessing credit not only to eradicate poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries but also to get back on their feet after calamitous events such as those of climate change.

All this only widens the gap between men’s work and women’s, who nevertheless find greater fulfillment in family or small community settings.

The ability of women to increase the sustainability and quality of peace processes was extolled by Dr. Flaminia Giovannelli, former undersecretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development. And this along with the ability to support in a totally invisible, but fundamental way, the fishing and aquaculture sector, keeping family affections and the work system strong as confirmed by Father Bruno Ciceri, former director of Stella Maris Internazionalis. Women’s balance between family and work and the need for its harmonization was the topic developed in the talk by Dr. Gabriella Gambino, undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. Gambino was able to connect, in particular, the capacity of women to generate relationships and thus make the common good accessible to all. In order to give strength to this seminar, the representative of the dicastery for the laity offered the key word to always keep in mind in every community, small or large, to develop a greater sensitivity toward care: sharing.

Finally, among the experiences offered to demonstrate what was highlighted in the reports emerged the one proposed by New Humanity and AMU, an NGO of the Focolare Movement, concerning women protagonists of community development in the rural area in Burundi (Central Africa). In particular, through a video testimony, a young woman, a caring mother of a family and tenacious worker in the agricultural sector passionately recounted her commitment in that field. The effectiveness of her action helped to create wealth for other families in need as well, simply by investing in the products of the land from processing in the fields to selling in the markets to managing credit.

“Burundi: Women as protagonists of community development in the rural area”

Speaker: Emanuela Castellano – on behalf of  AMU – Azione per un Mondo Unito and CASOBU. (From New Humanity NGO ‘s network)

L'articolo Women and food security proviene da New Humanity.

     At 03:39 in the morning of 6 February 2023, a violent earthquake of magnitude 7.9 struck Syria and Turkey, causing many thousands of dead, wounded, and missing, and countless collapses of houses and infrastructures. 

It will take time to get accurate estimates. Hospitals in the affected areas are overloaded. The operations of the first aid are complex and the intense cold makes the situation extremely difficult for rescuers and displaced persons, while there are repeated and intense tremors. In this first phase of the emergency, everything is needed, starting with health care and food.

CURRENT ACTIONS

The Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement has started extraordinary fundraising through Action for a United World (AMU) and Action for New Families (AFN). The donations will be managed jointly by AMU and AFN to reach the people affected by the earthquake with basic aid for food, medical care, housing, heating, and hospitality in different cities of the two countries: in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and in the Turkish region of Iskenderun. With the collaboration of local Churches.

The donations, collected through the NGOs AMU and AFN, will be used to provide with basic necessities the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the strong earthquake on 6 February 2023, also in collaboration with the local Churches.

You can donate online at:

AMU: www.amu-it.eu/dona-online-3/

AFN: www.afnonlus.org/dona/

or by bank transfer to the following accounts:

Action for a United World ONLUS (AMU)

IBAN: IT 58 S 05018 03200 000011204344 at Banca Popolare Etica

Codice SWIFT/BIC: ETICIT22XXX

Action for New Families ONLUS (AFN)

IBAN: IT 92 J 05018 03200 000016978561 at Banca Popolare Etica

Codice SWIFT/BIC: ETICIT22XXX

Reason for payment: Middle East Earthquake Emergency

Tax benefits are available for such donations in many EU countries and in other countries around the world, according to different local regulations.

Italian taxpayers will be able to obtain deductions and deductions from their income, according to the regulations for non-profit organizations.

ADDITIONAL INFO

A press release was also published in which the Politics for Unity Movement (MPPU), our political department and therefore an expression of the Focolare Movement, calls for a suspension to the financial embargo in Syria.

Find here information about the call.
Earthquake: “Financial embargo suspension to Syria for humanitarian organizations”
www.mppu.org/en/earthquake-financial-embargo-suspension-to-syria-for-humanitarian-organizations/ 

Find some testimonies from those in those territories

The moon on the rubble: testimonies from Turkey and Syria

www.focolare.org/en/2023/02/09/italiano-la-luna-sulle-macerie-testimonianze-da-turchia-e-siria/ 

L'articolo Middle East Earthquake Emergency proviene da New Humanity.

Celebrates

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY

A PATHWAY FOR PEACE & UNITY

On February 4th 2023 at 9.00 am (EST) / 15.00 (CET)

[LIVE on www.youtube.com/UnitedWorldProject]

Program

Opening
What is Human Fraternity?

• Chantal Grevin, Main Representative of New Humanity NGO at UNESCO

Partners in Human Fraternity

• Nihal Saad, Chief of Cabinet, Spokesperson of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (New York) – Invited
• Catherine Thiounn, Main Representative of Buddhists World Organization at UNESCO
• Christian Renoux, International Fellowship of Reconciliation IFOR
• Younès Aberkane, Department Culture of Peace in AISA NGO
• Mabih Nji Helvisia, United World Ambassador and member of Together for a New Africa

Voices of Human Fraternity

• Carlos Palma, Founder and Coordinator of Living Peace International (Italy)
• Tamara Awwad, Executive Director AMU for Middle East
• Irene Duffard, President of the Politics for Unity Movement in Argentina
• Esther Salamanca, Associate Professor of Public International Law at the University of Valladolid (Spain)
• Antonino Puglisi, Scientist – International Board of EcoOne (United Kingdom)

Closing remarks
The Future of Human Fraternity

• Marco Desalvo, President of New Humanity NGO (Jerusalem)

L'articolo International day of Human Fraternity: A pathway for peace & unity proviene da New Humanity.