News

28.01.2016

UN Security Council approves mission to monitor peace deal between Colombia and FARC

The Security Council today moved to set up a United Nations political mission in Colombia, approving a team of international observers to monitor disarmament should the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) reach a final...

26.01.2016

Argentina: Misael and his dream of peace

The initiative of a 10-year old student in one of the largest schools of Salta (Argentina). With the support of his teacher, he instituted an ecumenical prayer for peace celebration. “I teach in a Catholic school in my city, Salta,...

23.01.2016

Saudi-Iran tensions will not hamper efforts to resolve Syria conflict – UN special envoy

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, concluded today his regional consultations with meetings in Tehran, where he received assurances from his interlocutors that regional current tensions would not affect Iran's engagement in facilitating the holding of...

21.01.2016

India: Sarvodaya, the dream of Bala Shanti

Sarvodaya, meaning Universal Uplift or Progress of All, expresses Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of future human society.We present the Bala Shanti Project in Coimbatore on the 25th anniversary of its establishment. “A society is good when the last and smallest member...

19.01.2016

Interreligious Conference in Islamabad

The Quest for Peaceful Interfaith Co-existence” was the title of an international conference held in the Pakistan capital. It was sponsored by the Universal Nexus for Interfaith Trust & Engagement (UNITE). Christina Lee, a Korean focolarina, was one of the...

16.01.2016

A lifeline for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone

Marie Tarawally disembarks slowly from the motorbike taxi, holding baby Yusufu. The two have travelled seven miles along the dusty roads that connect their village, Robuya, to Pate Bana Marank community health centre, in Bombali district, northern Sierra Leone. Marie...

14.01.2016

With new ratification, UN protocol on ending modern slavery edges closer to entry into force

With the ratification by Norway, following a similar action by Niger, of the International Labour Organization (ILO) protocol on forced labour, a significant step has been taken towards ending the scourge, as the agency’s binding instruments generally provide that an...

12.01.2016

Young People and Peace from Romania to China

Europe, the Far East and a common denominator: the ability of the young to try something new in favour of two burning issues: ecumenism and peace. There is a festive atmosphere in Reșița, Romania, a Municipality located on the border...

09.01.2016

Overcome indifference and achieve peace

Margaret Karram, an Arab-Palestinian focolarina comments on Pope Francis’s message for the 2016 World Day of Peace. The message of Pope Francis in this Jubilee Year of Mercy urges us more than ever to live the immense gift of Peace....

07.01.2016

Romania, new developments between the Orthodox and Catholics

Bestowing each other with one’s heritage of life and concepts on the Holy Spirit: the objective of the symposium held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Already in 2004, getting to know each other, establishing dialogue and intensifying the spirit of communion were...

05.01.2016

2016: And if goods would start circulating?

E se invece di persone in fuga, si muovessero i beni? Non per espansioni commerciali, speculazioni, traffici, conquiste … No.Ma perché sono beni dell’unica famiglia umana. Beni comuni da gestire con la partecipazione di chi abita le terre in cui...

02.01.2016

Economy of Comunione in Guatemala: the Company Becomes a Family

The Economy of Communion (EoC) Project lands in Central America, raising curiosity amongst business owners who are searching for values that can humanise work and production. The testimony of one architect....

29.12.2015

A million refugees and migrants flee to Europe in 2015

Persecution, conflict and poverty have forced an unprecedented one million people to flee to Europe in 2015, according to estimates by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration, IOM. As of 21 December, some 972,500 had...

26.12.2015

Nigeria: educating towards a culture of peace

Helping the youth to develop their awareness in choosing the good? The good practices of the Igbarian “Fraternity” school in Nigeria. Education is one of the most important challenges the Nigerian schooling system has to face, and where at times...

24.12.2015

Christmas in Syria

A land of varying dangers. One day it’s calm; and the next day bombs are falling. Young people from the Focolare prepare for Christmas, going from home to home, sharing and bringing hope. “The life of each day varies, because...

22.12.2015

New York Conference on the Information Society

Six experts from New Humanity attend a high-level meeting of the United Nation General Assembly, December 15-16. Some of the topics that were discussed included: fighting terrorism, protecting human rights, empowering women. Taking stock 10 years from the World Summit...

19.12.2015

Business, Legality, Environment: A Win-Win Challenge

Interview with Antonio Diana, a business owner from Caserta, Italy, on the recent international “Environment and Rights” meeting promoted by the Focolare. Doing business today is no easy “business.” Especially in Caserta, a region of southern Italy known as the...

17.12.2015

Artisans of peace on the increase

Responding to violence with gestures of peace, following the dramatic events in Beirut and Paris. A leaven that unites the Focolare communities spread throughout the world. Peace is an art that learnt together. Here are a few flashes. “Here in...

15.12.2015

COP21 Delegates vote to adopt historic deal

Nightfall in Paris has brought the promise of a new dawn in the bid to arrest global warming. One hundred and ninety five countries have agreed a landmark deal on climate change. “I now invite the COP (conference of the...

12.12.2015

Jakarta, a Christmas concert to raise funds in favor of need

The Pukat Kaj initiative focused on theme of love (in action), peace and harmony. It was attended by hundreds of professionals, artists and faithful. The proceeds go to charity projects for the diocese of Agats-Asmat (Papua), focused on the education...