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Group work: centred on dialogue

Group work: centred on dialogue

Jan 29, 2021 | Senza categoria

General Assembly Diary 6, 29 January 2021 “Open Space Technology” is being adopted by the Focolare General Assembly to conduct its group work today and tomorrow. The system permits the 359 participants linked online around the world to divide into virtual working groups to speak and dialogue in a more intimate way, as if seated around the same table. To facilitate participation across all the lines of latitude, the work sessions are organized in three different time zones, corresponding to the geographical groupings of Asia and Oceania; Africa, Europe and the Middle East; the Americas. The fact that the Assembly is dedicating several days to working in groups, to consider and discuss a range of topics, demonstrates the strongly-felt need for a global dialogue at the heart of it all. This was evident from the start of the pre-assembly process two years ago which got many different Focolare communities around the globe involved. Individuals and groups participated in a worldwide program of reflection, and sent the Assembly Planning Commission over 3,000 proposals of what should be covered in these days. These ideas were gathered and collated into 16 general topic areas. From these, a subsequent international survey among Focolare members identified four priority themes: – a profound consideration of the roots of the charism of unity today; – implementing the charism in all areas, in collaboration with the Churches, with institutions, with the faithful of different religions and with people of good will; – giving particular attention to an integral ecology which considers how to take care of the person, the family and our common home, with an outlook to the future; – living inter-generational dialogue, particularly with the new generations. During these opening days of the Assembly, the participants have added another three macro-groups of topics, namely: – family – governance – option for the least, for the excluded. What emerges from the working groups over these days will form a substantial contribution to the production of the ‘final document’ which will outline the future direction and prospects “for the guidelines that will be elaborated and implemented above all locally and in profound synergy between the international centre and the Movement present in the different geographical zones”, as Maria Voce said yesterday. The final document will be drawn up by an editorial team of eight Assembly members. The text will then be presented for approval by the whole General Assembly.

Focolare Communications Office

Text in PDF

Welcome to the new dev.focolare.org!

Nov 26, 2018 | Senza categoria

A new look and new capabilities for the Focolare Movement’s website It is eight years since this website was last restyled. The graphics have changed but so has the structure of the site, with shorter articles containing infographics and video-clips. The new structure allows greater integration with social media and is mobile-friendly, in view of the increasing use of mobile phones for information and communication. New features include diversified and personalised content that users can access The articles in the main pages of the former website can still be accessed. They are now grouped in a few e-books. Instead, the news can be found in the archive section. Updates on many aspects of the life of the Focolare Movement can now be found in the community area called “Mariapolis”, the name given to the summer meetings of the Focolare worldwide which was also used for the Newsletter published in hard copy [in Italian] until December 2018. From 2019, a pdf “Mariapolis Newsletter” will be prepared bi-monthly, containing the most important news items. In this area a notification system lets users choose when, on what topics and on which device (computer, tablet or mobile) they wish to receive information. The new site is the result of an on-going process over a two year period at the international centre of the Focolare Movement at Rocca di Papa (Rome). This has led to the creation of a single Communications Office, operational since 1st February 2018. It brings together the work done previously by four separate entities. The aims of this Office include: collecting news of the life of the Movement worldwide and communicating it via various media; promoting the Focolare’s activities and making the Movement itself better known through a variety of communications channels; to contribute to an ever growing sharing of life and news among the Movement’s many communities throughout the world. Enjoy surfing!

Chiara’s charism of unity, instigator for social transformation

Chiara’s charism of unity, instigator for social transformation

Jan 22, 2018 | Senza categoria

“The attraction of modern times” conference material: (3 March 2018, Castelgandolfo – Rome) can be found at: http://chiaralubich.10anni.dev.focolare.org

Systematic Cooperation Together with Welcome

The migrants’ project in Sicily

What does the charism of unity have to say and offer in today’s times? Humanity is undergoing a piecemeal third world war; poverty and hunger still have to be solved; personal and social rapports are undergoing a progressive decline due to a lack of hope in change; and much much more… In the face of these dramatic events, what is the contribution of the charism concurrently with of all the people of good will who work for the good of the plane? The answer comes from the numberless facts of life and initiatives of people who, throughout the world, have embraced the ideals of Chiara Lubich, and above all have undertaken to transform themselves, generating everywhere, countless social initiatives that show that humanity can still change its course. Many stories and countless changes have come about in all the countries worldwide.  Here are some examples. In Sicily (southern Italy), one of the Italian hubs of the migratory phenomenon, Salvatore Brullo, with the project, “Systematic Cooperation Together with Welcome” was able to receive over 40 unaccompanied foreign minors who, thanks to the work of many families and companies in various cities, were trained in various professions, opening out to a better future compared to the past.
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In Bolivar, in the Peruvian Andes

In another part of the world, in Bolivar, at an altitude of 3,500 meters in the Peruvian Andes, 250 children today are being educated in a new school thanks to the project, “A school in the Andes,” of Action for a United World (AMU). Another 1,129 children around the globe have found a new family thanks to international adoption initiatives coordinated by Action for New Families (AFN), the non-profit organization that promotes projects for the support and education of the family. These are only some of the big and small initiatives which on this 10th anniversary, have triggered encounters, conferences, moments of exchange and learning in every part of the world. The celebrations will take place in Castel Gandolfo (Rome), on 3 March. “This event will consist of the works and stories of people who have become drivers of social transformation, and will recount another feature of the Charism of Chiara entitled, “The great attraction of our time,” explained Tim King, one of the two counselors for the field of evangelization in the International Center of the Focolare. “The focus,” he continued. “will be on the social aspect of Chiara Lubich’s charism, recounted through attention to the wounds of humanity, and the passion and creativity of entrepreneurs, youths, families and common people who have been inspired by the words of  Chiara and have created a global network of small projects or actions on a vast scale.” The founder of the Focolare herself had explained the sense of their actions at the dawn of the Movement in times of war, and of that personal commitment which later became communitarian :  “It all started with a precise program: contribute to resolving the social problem of Trent, our city.” The event of 3 March shall be transmitted via live streaming (from 4 – 9 pm, Rome time) in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.