“They will run together and tell the world:
“May they all be one.” (Chiara Lubich)
Girls and boys from 4 to 8 years old
From a young age, children discover the joy of living the spirituality of Chiara Lubich. They learn to work for a more united world, caring for those who need it most, respecting nature and being messengers of peace and joy.
For Chiara, spirituality was ageless. In 1966 she said: "Let us not see them only as children, but as souls; and a soul is neither big nor small, it simply is." That's why we adapt the values to their world, helping them grow with tools such as love die, which turns small actions into great gestures of affection.
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The early years: a key stage for growing together
Childhood is a unique time, full of opportunities to develop all the dimensions of a person, including the spiritual. The Focolare believe in the educational paradigm of the person-relationship, a vision that encourages boys and girls to become protagonists of their own lives, capable of making conscious decisions and building positive relationships.
On this journey we accompany them to discover and deepen their understanding of the art of love, using tools such as the love die, which transforms small everyday gestures into meaningful actions. And, of course, we also share together how to live the word of life, to bring it to their daily lives with joy and simplicity.
«They have set Jesus aside»
This wonderful initiative, born in 1997, seeks to put Jesus back at the centre of Christmas. In the face of the noise of consumerism, girls and boys make plaster figures of the Baby Jesus and share them in squares and streets, remembering the true meaning of these dates.
Teenagers from 9 to 17 years old
Adolescents become true builders of a united world, starting with their closest environment: family, school and community.
They seek to live and spread the Golden Rule, a universal principle present in the main religions and cultures: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Her dream is for this rule to inspire and connect people around the world, making it a reality in every corner of the planet.
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They continue to grow as people in relationships, deepening their understanding of evangelical values and joyfully sharing their life experiences with those around them. They do this through various initiatives:
Time-out: Every day at 12:00 p.m., they dedicate a minute of prayer or silence for peace, creating a moment of global connection.
Global person: A planetary laboratory that celebrates the richness of each culture as a unique gift to the world. Every three years, they meet to be trained in the culture of brotherhood, learning to know, love and respect other peoples as if they were their own.
Run4unity: An exciting relay race for peace that takes place every year on the first Sunday in May, between 11:00 and 12:00, covering all time zones on the planet. It is 24 hours of sport and brotherhood, also connected virtually. This initiative, open to all ages, is promoted by the United World Project and is part of United World Week.
Young people from 18 to 30 years old
Young people are also joining the dream of a united human family, but with a more global focus. With campaigns such as Pathway for a United World, they are working on key issues to change the world.
Their training is a natural step in their journey, deepening their experience of the Gospel and the points of the Focolare charism. At this stage of their life they also prepare for their professional future, integrating the knowledge they have acquired with their commitment to building a more just, supportive and hopeful world.
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They carry out inspiring actions and projects such as these:
United World Project: An initiative born at the 2012 Genfest in Budapest, which translates into a tangible commitment to build peace and make it visible in every corner of the world.
United World Week: A unique space that combines exhibitions and global laboratories where stories, actions and initiatives that promote brotherhood, unity and peace among people and nations are shared.
Genfest: A unique festival that takes place every six years in different parts of the world. It is much more than an event; it is a journey of encounter, learning and connection to deepen the culture of peace, fraternity and solidarity between people and cultures.
Mosaico GRLP: A space where the performing arts become a powerful tool to transmit and live universal values such as peace, fraternity and intercultural dialogue, building bridges between people and communities.
Pit-Stop gen: A unique experience to take a break and dedicate some time to take care of yourself while also taking care of others. This initiative, within the Focolare youth project in Coslada (Madrid), is an invitation to reflect, connect and share in an environment of personal and community growth.
Comprehensive training
Up2Me is a comprehensive training itinerary based on the anthropological vision of the person as a being in relationship. This programme brings together the rich experience of those who work with and for children, teenagers and youth in the Focolare, offering tools for personal growth and the construction of authentic and positive relationships.
