Voices of Peace (in Italian)

Dear colleagues,

The second 2026 issue of Voci di Pace, published by UPF Italy and San Marino together with WFWP Italy, is built around the theme “The Peace We Build”. Its central message is that peace is not simply an aspiration or the absence of conflict. It is a demanding process that begins in conscience, becomes visible through service, and grows within families, communities and responsible institutions.

The opening editorial, Peace Does Not Come Without Effort, presents service, family and conscience as three interconnected roots of responsibility. This perspective is further developed in an article dedicated to the United Nations International Day of Conscience, which explores the inner moral foundations of peaceful coexistence and their public expression through education, dialogue and community service.

Several contributions are connected to UPF’s international campaign 100 Days of Serving Community. They examine zero waste, environmental responsibility, remembrance and reconciliation, showing how the care of resources, historical memory and service to others can help rebuild social trust.

The issue also gives particular attention to young people. The articles reflect on their hopes, anxieties and search for meaning, while highlighting volunteering, dignified work and intergenerational trust as important paths towards personal growth and social responsibility.

Other sections address the United Nations 2030 Agenda, especially SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions; religious freedom as a measure of human dignity; women’s participation in peace processes through The Mothers’ Call; and the unresolved conflict in Kashmir.

Although the articles approach peace from different perspectives, they share a common conviction: peace must be built in everyday life. It depends on people and communities willing to listen, serve, protect human dignity and transform moral awareness into concrete responsibility.

This issue therefore seeks to offer not only analysis, but also encouragement: even in a fragmented world, trust can be regenerated and peace can still be patiently constructed.

Peace, Dialogue, and Sustainable Development: The New Issue of Voci di Pace

This issue offers a rich and articulate overview of the main activities, reflections, and initiatives promoted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and their partners.

Topics range from the World Summit 2025 to the water crisis in the Sahel, from interreligious dialogue to environmental sustainability, from social justice to the role of women in building peace.

An issue designed to offer insights and guidance for those who believe in a culture of peace as the foundation for addressing the major challenges of our time.

by Giorgio Gasperoni

The new issue of Voci di Pace, covering the second quadrimester of 2025, provides a rich and detailed overview of the main activities, reflections, and initiatives promoted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and their partners.

At the heart of this edition are the key themes of our time: peace as a shared responsibility, interreligious dialogue, sustainable development, international cooperation, and the centrality of human values.

Among the most significant events is the World Summit 2025, held in South Korea, with the participation of prominent political and religious leaders. The summit addressed global challenges to the world order, with particular focus on reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, international cooperation, and the strengthening of shared values. Key figures — including Goodluck Jonathan, Macky Sall, and Paula White-Cain — emphasized the central role of dialogue and global commitment to peace.

Special attention is given to the sixth edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize, which honored outstanding individuals for their contributions to peace, sustainable development, education, and human rights: Wanjira Mathai for environmental sustainability, Hugh Evans for the fight against poverty, and Patrick G. Awuah Jr. for the ethical formation of young leaders. Special recognitions were also awarded to Goodluck Jonathan and Prophet Samuel Radebe for their efforts in democracy and interreligious harmony.

On the cultural and spiritual level, the editorial reflects on the evolution of the Catholic Church in interreligious dialogue, from the Second Vatican Council to Pope Francis, highlighting the need for an ethica communis of fraternity, where peace becomes a collective responsibility.

Another key focus is the ongoing relevance of Pacem in Terris by John XXIII: an encyclical that continues to inspire the vision of a world order based on truth, justice, love, and freedom — principles fully shared by the UPF.

The issue also presents concrete experiences of interfaith dialogue, such as the webinar on birth and the value of life, which brought together Christian and Buddhist perspectives, reaffirming the sacredness of human life.

From a geopolitical perspective, the issue examines Italy-Africa relations in light of the Mattei Plan, stressing the importance of sustainable and equitable development — a goal that can be advanced through synergy with organizations like the UPF.

Environmental issues emerge prominently, especially through an in-depth look at the water crisis in the Sahel, described as a true humanitarian emergency. Initiatives like the Great Green Wall and the Transaqua project reflect the pursuit of concrete, cooperative, and compassionate solutions.

On the spiritual and cultural front, the magazine explores the richness of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, which promotes coexistence and dialogue. It also includes a reflection on the value of slowness and freedom in contemporary democracy, calling urgently for ethical and functional reforms.

In the field of sustainability, the magazine proposes a holistic vision of peace — one that includes social justice, environmental protection, and an awareness of humanity’s interdependence with nature. Environmental education is presented as a key tool for addressing the global polycrisis.

Finally, space is devoted to the relationship between family and digital media, highlighting the collective responsibility to build positive models, and to the 33rd anniversary of the WFWPI, emphasizing the vital role of women in processes of reconciliation and peacebuilding.

This issue of Voci di Pace thus presents itself as a tool for reflection, inspiration, and action, grounded in the belief that only through a culture of peace, cooperation, and shared responsibility can we successfully face the complex challenges of our time.

The 2025 Jubilee is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and reflection on the relationship between faith and modernity. In biblical tradition, the Jubilee was a time of reconciliation and justice. Today, it takes on even greater significance in a world marked by division and social challenges.

This editorial examines how the Catholic Church and Protestant traditions have engaged with modernity—from initial resistance to the Enlightenment to later efforts at dialogue and openness. The Catholic Church has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from 19th-century opposition to liberalism to social engagement, beginning with Rerum Novarum and culminating in Vatican II, which promoted dialogue with modernity and other religions.

Protestantism has responded in various ways, ranging from liberal theology, which reinterpreted faith in light of scientific discoveries, to fundamentalism, which upheld a literal reading of the Bible. The Social Gospel movement, positioned between these two, advocated for Christian engagement in justice and solidarity, with key figures like Reinhold Niebuhr.

Despite differences, Catholics and Protestants have found common ground in the ecumenical movement and shared commitments to social justice and environmental stewardship. The Jubilee thus presents an opportunity to deepen this dialogue and address contemporary challenges together, transforming the tension between tradition and modernity into a force for spiritual and cultural renewal.

Report on the Rome Conference

This article covers the interfaith conference “Interreligious Cooperation – A Foundation for Human Fraternity and a Culture of Peace,” held at Palazzo Giustiniani, Rome, on February 4, 2025, during World Interfaith Harmony Week and the International Day of Human Fraternity.

Promoted by Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini and Universal Peace Federation (UPF Italy), the event emphasized the vital role of interfaith dialogue in fostering peace and fraternity. Key speakers included:

• Carlo Zonato (UPF Italy): Highlighted shared universal values across religions and their role in peacebuilding.
• Nader Akkad (Grand Mosque of Rome): Recalled the Abu Dhabi Document, which condemns religiously motivated violence.
• Francesca Baldini (Religions for Peace): Emphasized the role of women in dialogue and mediation.
• Giuseppe Calì (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification): Presented the family as a model for harmonious social relationships.
• Rabbi Ariel Di Porto (Jewish Community of Rome): Stressed individual responsibility in peacebuilding and warned against the manipulation of religion.
• Luis Miguel Perea Castrillón (Anglican Church of Europe): Spoke on the importance of rediscovering what unites humanity.
• Thenzin Khentse (Buddhist monk): Reminded that humanity has always found resilience in the pursuit of peace and justice.

The conference reaffirmed that religious diversity is not a barrier but a source of enrichment, calling for collaborative efforts toward a future built on fraternity, harmony, and justice.

Finally, this issue of Voci di Pace features additional key contributions on promoting a culture of peace and sustainable development.

The third issue of our quarterly, Voices of Peace addresses some important topics. We remembered the anniversary of the death of our founder, Rev. Moon, and his vision for a world of peace.

We reported on significant webinars on current issues. The IAPD emphasized the close relationship between ethics and spirituality in promoting environmental sustainability. The IMAP explored media literacy and combating misinformation with leading experts.

We also highlighted the persecution of the Uighurs in Xinjiang and offered hope for good governance in Bangladesh, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus leading the government.

A particularly relevant topic was a discussion between a professor from the Catholic University of Milan and some of our young people about “Youth and the Future Between Hopes and Disillusions.”

Of course, other relevant topics are also covered in the magazine.

Enjoy reading,

Giorgio Gasperoni Editor in Chief Voices of Peace

This second issue of Voci di Pace 2024 extensively covers topics related to peacebuilding, conflict analysis, and potential resolutions and transformations in various areas of the world.

IAPD Italy addresses the annual Harmony between Faiths event established by the United Nations. Additionally, it explores the principle of Nonviolence and its application.

The Peace Forum of UPF Italy organized two webinars on two extremely important topics, which are extensively covered in the newspaper: the first on "Myanmar, a people fighting for freedom"; and the second on "Promoting hope for peace in times of war (Reflections on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict)."

Moreover, it provides a comprehensive analysis of "Social Europe, Political Europe: What steps for a fair transition?"

Two conferences were held at the Institutions of the Italian Republic in Rome on "Social Justice and Peace" and "Family as a tool for Peace: a challenge of our time."

A conference in Rome at the European Parliament Office organized by WFWP on "Women of faith and their commitment to peace."

The magazine also focuses on the active role of youth in peacebuilding, addressing the prevailing pessimism among Western youth and the hope present elsewhere in the world. The Editorial delves into the distinction between "Negative Peace" and "Positive Peace," offering an innovative perspective on understanding the concept of peace. The English version of the Editorial is included to provide the right information to anyone who does not understand Italian.

Dear readers,

I am pleased to announce that the first issue of Voices of Peace 2024 has been finalized and will soon be available for distribution. While we prepare the physical copies for circulation, I am delighted to share with you the digital version in PDF format.

Within this edition, our editorial endeavors to explore the foundations of a shared future, focusing on themes of Interdependence, Shared Prosperity, and Universal Values. We delve into the intricate dialogue surrounding European integration in the Western Balkans, examining the role of UPF activities in shaping this discourse.

Furthermore, our publication highlights the insightful contributions of Peace Forum-Italy, particularly the work of Professor Stefano Bartolini from the University of Siena. Professor Bartolini, a pioneer in the field, offers a unique perspective on the economics of happiness through his course—a rare offering within Italy.

Of course, alongside these significant discussions, we cover a spectrum of other compelling topics that I believe will capture your interest.

Please find attached the PDF version of Voices of Peace 2024 for your perusal. I trust that you will find its contents both thought-provoking and enriching.

Happy reading,

Giorgio Gasperoni

Editor-in-Chief

Voices of Peace

Once again, the topics are numerous and important. The Summit in Korea, the webinar held on May 10 in Italy on the topic of Freedom of the Press organized by IMAP is reported. Another webinar organized by IAPD focused on religious freedom.

There is an excellent article written by a school principal, who is also our Peace Ambassador, discussing Italian schools and the challenges they face with new technologies and the relationship between teachers and families.

Additionally, there is a well-informed article on Africa and the effects of Climate Change on the continent, emphasizing that Africa is not to blame for these effects.

Furthermore, a journalist who spent several years in Afghanistan provides a very dramatic overview of the situation of women in that country.

The issue also covers a webinar organized by WFWP in Rome at the European Office offices, which focuses on trafficking in young women and modern slavery.

Finally, we include abstracts of the Peace Forum Italy's work. Once a month, we hold Zoom meetings where forum members present papers on specific topics related to their area of expertise.

The main topic is about Religious Freedom and the Conferences of Hope held in the second part of 2022. 

We have, then continued to deepen the Africa theme by reporting on the speeches of H.E. Brighi Rafini and Dr. Roslyn Ngeno, at the 2020 Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

In addition, there is an extensive analysis of Saudi Arabia.

We reported on the conference held in Vienna on the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans. So many leaders of the Balkan nations were present, and they all made significant contributions.

Another notable contribution was made by the Secretary General of EURISPES on global competition and collaboration toward sustainability and social harmony.

Finally, we reported on WFWP activities at the European Parliament in Rome.

In this issue of Voices of Peace, we have delved into the topic of Africa. We talked about the 2nd Summit in Korea with also reference to Africa. We received two important contributions on the topic of the African Continent: a university professor from Cattolica University in Milan and a former deputy editor of an Italian national newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore. The approach was on Africa's potential from the economic, technological, social and especially youth point of view. We also reported on the "A Football for Peace" project with Arab and Jewish kids from the "Holy Land” in San Marino.

Giorgio Gasperoni
Editor in Chief
Voices of Peace