New Humanity NGO, through the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee, played a central role in supporting this initiative, organizing a round table to demonstrate how interfaith and intercultural dialogue can drive united human values, even in a challenging world.

Key Takeaways from the Round-Table

Several influential speakers shared valuable insights during the round-table, shedding light on diverse perspectives:

• Bérengère Savelieff (Pax Christi): Presented a compelling case for inter-religious collaboration based on a UN resolution, sharing a field experience from the Congo that demonstrated how dialogue drives actionable change in conflict-affected areas.
• Maria Teresa Siniscalco: Showed how interfaith dialogue enriches school education, with examples from schools in Pakistan and Slovenia, illustrating its role in building bridges between young people of different backgrounds.
• Reverend Youshiharu (WFB & Religions for Peace Japan): Explored how interfaith approaches address ethical dilemmas in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, showcasing the relevance of spiritual perspectives in modern challenges.
• Professor Fabio Petito: Argued for closer collaboration between religious organizations and governments, emphasizing that this partnership is essential for tackling contemporary global issues effectively.

Building Momentum for Action

The discussions also served as a platform to strengthen the role of interfaith dialogue in global policymaking. Panelists and participants expressed their willingness to present the work of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee to key delegations, including those of France and Italy, to garner support for a UNESCO resolution. The next step involves reaching out to additional member states of UNESCO’s Executive Board to build broad-based backing.

Furthermore, the round-table reinforced the unity and commitment of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee. This shared sense of purpose will drive ongoing initiatives, including a magazine project led by Pax Christi. The magazine will highlight the committee’s collective achievements, further advancing advocacy efforts with UNESCO member states.

Why This Matters

The conference was a powerful reminder that inter-religious dialogue is not just theoretical; it creates real, measurable change. From shaping educational practices to addressing complex ethical questions, it fosters collaboration that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.

We invite you to watch the sessions and be inspired by the stories and strategies shared:

• October 28 Morning Session | October 28 Afternoon Session
• October 29 Morning Session | October 29 Afternoon Session

L'articolo Round table at UNESCO – How interfaith dialogue is building inclusive and peaceful societies proviene da New Humanity.

JRS: “Amina, as a trainer for this workshop, how has your previous experience with the GenRosso members in Bihać and Sarajevo influenced the way you approached teaching the participants?”

Amina: “The time I spent with GenRosso was incredibly enriching. Their passion for music and the arts really resonated with me, and it was something I aimed to pass on to the workshop participants. Seeing the way music can transcend language and cultural barriers inspired me to foster the same environment here. The energy in Bihać and Sarajevo was electric, and I wanted to bring that same vibrancy and enthusiasm to our sessions.”

JRS: “And what does it mean to you to see such a high turnout of locals and refugees for this workshop?”

Amina: “It’s deeply gratifying. It shows that there’s a genuine desire for connection and understanding across different cultures within our community. Music and dance are universal languages that can unite us. I feel privileged to be a part of something that not only teaches.

JRS: “Amina, beyond the workshop itself, can you share how your experiences with GenRosso have influenced your private life’?”

Amina: “Absolutely. The experience has been transformative not just for me, but for my whole family. You know, initially, there was a certain apprehension in my household about the refugee situation, which is understandable given all the changes in our community. But through my involvement with GenRosso and now as a trainer, I’ve been able to bring some of that world into our home. My parents have seen firsthand the positive impact these workshops have on everyone involved. They’ve heard the stories, seen the joy, and understood the struggles of the participants. This personal touch has changed their viewpoint — the participants aren’t just ‘migrants’ to us anymore; they are ‘people on the move,’ with hopes, dreams, and the desire for a sense of belonging. It’s been heartwarming to see my parents welcome this understanding into their hearts and our home.” 

*

JRS: “Ajdin, having been part of the initial GenRosso workshops, how did you find the experience of transferring what you learned to others?”

Ajdin: “It was a journey full of excitement and a bit of responsibility, too. Being trained by GenRosso was a nice experience for me – they embody a spirit of creativity and togetherness. Sharing what I learned with others felt like I was spreading that spirit. I taught the songs and dance moves, but what I was really passing on was a message of hope and community.”

JRS: “There seems to be a lot of gratitude expressed for the participation of both locals and refugees. Could you tell us more about that?”

Ajdin: “Yes, absolutely. Seeing people come together to learn and share in this workshop has been one of my proudest moments. We have people from all walks of life in one room, finding common ground through music. It’s a powerful testament to what we can accomplish when we come together. The gratitude is mutual – we’re thankful for every single person who showed up, ready to learn and connect.”

To learn more about the project, explore our website: https://www.new-humanity.org/project/heartmony/

L'articolo Interview: Bosnian youth share their intercultural experience with HeARTmony project proviene da New Humanity.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, NetOne together with the NGO New Humanity in collaboration with the Holy See Mission to the United Nations, co-organized the initiative “AI: A Pathway to Global Peace and Integral Human Development,” which took place in New York, UNHQ, Conference Room 6, from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. and was followed online from different parts of the world.

The Opening remarks by His Excellency Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, set the tone for the reflections, We stand at the precipice of a technological revolution unlike any other in human history. The emergence of AI is reshaping our world in profound and unprecedented ways. From revolutionizing industries to transforming the way we live, work, and interact, AI has become a driving force of change in the 21st century”.

In recent years, digital progress has brought significant opportunities and challenges, with serious implications in all areas of society. In this era of rapid technological change, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most powerful tools with the potential to transform societies, advance peace and achieve sustainable development. However, its ethical implications remain a subject of intense debate.

Maddalena Maltese, journalist and representative of the NGO New Humanity, moderator of the event’s panel discussion, recalled that “on January 1, Pope Francis, in his message for the International Day of Peace, raised urgent questions about AI: “What will be the consequences, in the medium and long term, of these new digital technologies? And what impact will they have on individual lives and societies, as well as on international stability and peace?” She also highlighted that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, discussing priorities for 2024, stressed that AI will affect all of humanity, reiterating the need for a universal approach to address it.

The panel discussion with multi-stakeholder dialogue on the ethical challenges posed by AI and strategies discussed the interplay between technical, ethical, political, legal and economic considerations.

Father Philip Larrey, professor of philosophy at Boston College, former dean of philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University, and president of Humanity 2.0. laid out a number of pressing issues starting with the theme of peace. “ChatGPT or Gemini could write a perfect peace plan, looking at the situations we are living, but would we be willing to follow its directions?” Fr. Larrey said, emphasizing the human factor as decisive in the decisions to be made, even when it comes to lethal weapons. Another central theme of his talk was the empathy that machines can demonstrate and are sometimes preferred over the human element. “Humans understand meanings. Machines don’t, as much as machines are getting very, very good at simulating what we consider meaningful,” the Boston College professor insisted, warning of the increasingly difficult challenge of discerning what belongs to humans and what belongs to technology, with machines that in the future may even be programmed to feel feelings.

Laura Gherlone, a researcher in semiotics at the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research in Argentina and a professor at the Catholic University of Argentina and a member of NetOne’s International Commission, spoke about Artificial Intelligence and, more generally, digital technologies in light of the thinking of digital decolonization. She argued that: “today, post-colonial contexts are at a crossroads: either falling behind or catching up. They are obliged, in other words, to dramatically accelerate certain processes that today embody a techno-centric, supposedly universal, model of knowledge: digitization and the implementation of AI systems are among these processes.”

She states that this process ” almost always comes at a very high cost, on at least three levels: at the economic and technical-structural level, at the social level and lastly, the accelerated and forced adoption of technological progress as a path towards a universal model of knowledge. She suggests: “the The ethical debate on AI could be greatly enriched through decolonial reflection, integrating, for example, the work of those collective movements committed to rethinking and redesigning technical architectures “from the South”, that is, theoretical-methodological and practical solutions that are often sidelined because they are far from profit logics”.

Closing the event were two best practices from civil society. Marianne Najm, a communications engineer based in Beirut, spoke on the ethics of AI and the concept of the digital oath for engineers and anyone active in the digital world. The project started in 2019 inspired by the Hippocratic Oath, the oath that most doctors take at the end of their academic journey. Just as the Hippocratic oath aims to awaken the human obligation of doctors, similarly the digital oath aims to awaken the human obligation of digital actors by directing their work toward ethically human-centered design.

Marcelle Momha, Cameroonian living in the United States, policy analyst and researcher specialized in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and cybersecurity, had prepared an intervention on the AI 2030 community, which due to timing was not possible to illustrate, but her paper is available on this link bellow. “AI 2030 is a vibrant community of business leaders, data scientists, technical builders, and pioneering researchers dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of AI to benefit humanity while minimizing its potential negative impact.” She explained in his theme.

In his message for the World Day World Peace, the Holy Father remembers that “technological developments do not lead to an improvement of the quality of life all humanity, but on the contrary aggravate the inequalities and conflicts, can never be considered a real progress.” As organizations of civil society, we want to accompany the efforts of the United Nations and all those institutions that are working for an ethical commitment in the field of technology that sustains digital developments as a contribution to the promotion of human principles of peace and fraternity.

To review the live stream, you go to link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h/

To see the speeches again and for more information, go to: https://www.net-one.org/ia-una-via-per-la-pace-globale-e-lo-sviluppo-umano-integrale/

Source https://www.net-one.org

L'articolo AI: A Pathway to Global Peace and Integral Human Development proviene da New Humanity.

Embrace Humanity 

The webinar featured a lineup of insightful speakers, each contributing a unique perspective to the narrative. Emina Hosic, representing Jesuits Refugee Services (JRS), commenced the dialogue by showcasing the impactful work of JRS in accompanying, serving, and advocating for forcibly displaced people. The organization’s efforts spanned reconciliation, education, livelihoods, advocacy, and crucial mental health and psychological support. 

Following this, Vedran Mihic from JRS, alongside Emina Dežmić from Caritas, delved into the situation of migration flows in Bosnia. The audience gained a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals seeking asylum from countries such as Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Afghanistan. The speakers highlighted the often-overlooked reality in Bosnia, where migrants face strict criteria, capacity constraints, and pushback practices. 

Amina Surkovic then spotlighted the criminalization of migrants, unveiling her research on the construction of fear and the portrayal of migrants as the “criminal other.” Migrants are often unjustly portrayed as criminals, constructing a narrative that dehumanizes their figures and fuels prejudiced attitudes. Her compelling analysis exposed the tactics employed in constructing narratives, including false claims, biased reporting, manipulation of facts, disinformation, and sensationalism. By unpacking the intricacies of media influence, she underscored the urgent need to counteract these narratives, demonstrating that fear of the other can easily transform into blame-shifting and political instrumentalization. 

Spark Change 

As the webinar unfolded, Roberta Niksic, a participant in the HeARTmony project, shared the heartening results. The musical group GenRosso conducted workshops and a concert in Bosnia, fostering connections and friendships between locals and migrants. Through song and dance, workshops became spaces for dialogue, breaking down prejudices, and creating a sense of community.  

The concluding segment of the webinar featured a dynamic Q&A session, allowing participants to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the speakers and delve deeper into the complexities of migration in the Balkans. 

In a world often divided by borders, this webinar serves as a beacon of unity, encouraging individuals to join hands in addressing the challenges of migration and working towards a more inclusive and harmonious society. Mark your calendars for the next webinar, January 24th, and be part of the conversation about migration flows in Italy – because understanding the human stories behind migration is the first step towards positive change.

Missed something? Here’s a quick index of our webinar, so you can watch anytime! 

14:14 – What is the HeARTmony project? 

23:56 – Jesuits Refugee Services (JRS) in action  

45:46 – The situation of migration flows in Bosnia 

1:15:38 – Research on the criminalization of migrants  

1:34:05 – Art and dialogue: the experience of HeARTmony project by its participants  

L'articolo Understanding migration: stories from the Balkans route  proviene da New Humanity.

Upon accepting his new role, Dias brings a wealth of experience in international diplomacy and a strong commitment to the values of the Catholic Church. “I accept this challenge as a service to the Church, to its members, in order to enhance our NGOs, arousing everyone’s unity with deep respect for everyone’s diversity,” he stated. His leadership envisions to strengthen the organization’s impact on global issues and enhance the Catholic Church’s presence in international affairs. 

The Forum, established in November 2007, comprises over 120 Catholic-inspired Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with consultative status before intergovernmental institutions. It was conceived as a space for dialogue and collaboration among Catholic NGOs to address global issues, offer a strengthened Christian witness and contribute to the common good of humanity. 

Dias was then introduced to Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. During their encounter, Dias presided over a delegation that discussed the Forum’s work, its collaborations with international bodies and outlined thematic priorities for the coming years. The meeting emphasized the crucial role of the Forum in addressing pressing global issues such as peace, climate change, gender, family, artificial intelligence, health, migrations, and the right to life. 

Navigating the role: catholic NGO representatives at the UN

The International Forum of Catholic NGOs has evolved significantly since its inception in 2007. Since then, the Forum has now grown to include organizations actively participating in global dialogues. Beyond providing a platform for dialogue and exchange, the Forum plays a vital role at the United Nations. Catholic NGO representatives have worked collaboratively to create and present joint statements, written contributions, and oral statements at the UN. 

This collaborative effort extends beyond the global stage, with Catholic NGO representatives forming a supportive network. By signing documents jointly, these NGOs amplify their impact on issues debated at the UN. The internal Forum, organizing general assemblies every three years, ensures a robust relationship with the Holy See and sustains the momentum of Catholic NGOs within the UN framework. These representatives address critical global issues and contribute to the formation of a more just and compassionate world through their collaboration and advocacy efforts. 

Did you know New Humanity NGO has representative offices in six different cities?  Each one collaborates wih several partners that specialize in many different fiels of activities. Check it out!

Geneva

Paris

New York

Brussels

Nairobi

Rome

L'articolo Jorge Dias Ferreira assumes presidency of the International Forum of Catholic-inspired Organizations proviene da New Humanity.

The Statement prepared by New Humanity NGO of the Focolare Movement and delivered by Jorge Dias Ferreira, representative of their Geneva delegation, was co-signed by other 4 NGO’s Caritas Internationalis, World Evangelical Alliance, Associazione Communità Papa Giovanni XXIII and OIEC. 

Download the Joint Oral Statement here <<

Watch the video <<

Additional resources

– Research: Assessing the impact of sanctions on humanitarian work. Sponsored by the Ecumenical Council of Churches from the Word Evangelical Association and Caritas Internationalis in collaboration with the Geneva Graduate Institute.

– More details about it here <<

L'articolo “The Syrian population deserves to live in dignity” – Joint Oral Statement 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.

     War is a flagellum. It is an adventure without return that compromises the present of humanity and threatens its future. War is always a loss for humanity. No one has the right to make a war, yet we all have the duty to build peace” – from the Joint Oral Statement

The Statement was delivered through a live video stream by Dr. Maria Mercedes Rossi from Association Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23), on behalf of 20 international NGOs that are members of CINGO*, during the General Debate with the High Commissioner on Human Rights at the 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council.

Delivering a Joint Statement is an important action, because it brings together different organizations in a common objective, giving importance to a specific situation or thematic or proposing to focus on a situation that has been observed to be of general interest; in this occasion the focus was advocacy for the common good, joint efforts for peace and international cooperation. 

The co-signatory NGOs addressed their statement on the fact that “disarmament is the only true road to Peace” highlighting the relevance of “One voice to reiterate the no to war and call on states to abandon the logic of arms in favor of a diplomatic solution to the conflict”.

Find the transcript of the Joint Oral Statement here >> Joint OS ITEM 2 GD- Transcript revised

Context:

• The session began on February 28 and is expected to finish by April 1sr (2022). 
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be accredited to participate in the Human Rights Council’s sessions as Observers. They can address the Council during interactive discussions and debates thus highlighting human rights situations around the globe.
• NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) can -among other actions- submit written statements or make oral interventions to the Human Rights Council.
• In 1987 New Humanity obtained Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC), and has held General Consultative Status since 2005. In 2008 New Humanity was recognized as a NGO partner of UNESCO.

*CINGO, Forum of Catholic-inspired NGOs active in Geneva, was founded in 2007 with the aim of finding and presenting new solutions to current challenges for humanity and promoting an integral vision of the human being, his dignity, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity.

L'articolo Disarmament is the only true road to Peace proviene da New Humanity.

     The contributions, collected through the NGOs Azione per un Mondo Unito (AMU) and Azione per Famiglie Nuove (AFN), will be used to provide the people of Ukraine with basic necessities, in collaboration with local Churches.

The Emergency Coordination Team of the Focolare Movement has launched a special fundraising campaign to support the people of Ukraine through the NGOs Azione per un Mondo Unito (AMU) and Azione per Famiglie Nuove (AFN).

“Kiev” by the painter Michel Pochet

Any donations received will be managed jointly by AMU and AFN to provide essential aid to the Ukrainian people for food, medical care, housing, heating and shelter in various Ukrainian cities, in collaboration with local Churches.

Donations can be made online via the following sites:

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
SWIFT/BIC Code: CCRTIT2T84A

Action for New Families ONLUS (AFN)
IBAN: IT 92 J 05018 03200 000016978561 at Banca Popolare Etica
SWIFT/BIC Code: CCRTIT2T84A

Reason for donation: Ukraine Emergency

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

Italian taxpayers should be able to obtain income tax deductions and allowances, in accordance with the relevant regulations of each NGO.

To follow updates:

AMU: https://www.amu-it.eu/emergenza-ucraina-aggiornamento-dellimpegno-di-amu/

AFN: https://www.afnonlus.org/news/

L'articolo Ukraine emergency: fundraising campaign launched to support the people of Ukraine proviene da New Humanity.

With the theme, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, we find the direction we have set and the efforts we have poured this year in the same breath as today’s invitation. A few months ago, we launched #DareToCare: People, Planet, and Our Ecological Conversion, a global campaign that appeals to recognize and respond to the cry of our ailing planet. With the recent extreme weather conditions felt across the globe, there is no denying that we are under a worsening climate crisis, one that cannot be detached from other crises that we are experiencing today including poverty as well as in the area of health and food quality and supply, among others. Acknowledging that everything is interrelated, we have understood that care for the earth and care for others are inseparable. We cannot remain aloof anymore nor can we set it aside. This is not the time to be bystanders. This is the time to stand together and roll up our sleeves because in spite of the numerous differences we may have, we have one common home and we have a shared responsibility to take care of it.

We commend the choice of the theme for this year’s celebration geared towards what is close to the heart of many young people and the reality we face at present. While this occasion reminds us that young people – ever passionate, creative, and dauntless – can lead the way to a better world, one generation cannot do it all alone. We must not be afraid to tap collaborators and forge partnerships so that our local initiatives will have a wider and lasting, global impact. After all, we are all children of the earth and the concern of the earth is the concern of everyone, no exceptions.

As a partner of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and as an accredited observer of the United Nations Environmental Programme, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure human and planetary well-being and we are willing to exhaust all possible means on our part towards this cause. Driven by care, we invite everyone, especially the young people, to take a step back by reviewing one’s lifestyle (including one’s consumption and activity) and its impact on our planet and make a move forward by organizing and providing aid for projects such as those under the United World Project held in different parts of the world, be involved or amplify support in policy-making, and calling private sector to shift its production and way of doing business to those sympathetic to the planet.

A rise in global temperature of even 2 degrees is more than enough to threaten food and water security, the economy, and other aspects of human life. We call upon governments to vigorously uphold and stay true to their commitment of effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions as stated in the Paris Agreement and act on it with great urgency. Likewise, we appeal that all citizens find themselves contributing and cooperating in favor of this endeavor. May all of us be strenuous protagonists in our pursuit of a more sustainable world for the sake of the common good, of our common home.

Gio Francisco

United World Ambassador, Philippines

L'articolo U.N. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY, August 12, 2021 proviene da New Humanity.