Volunteers from Europe seeking the ways of peace
Days pass and it may seem that the events surrounding the war in Ukraine fade into the background. However, the war goes on, and the topic of peace for us is both desirable and fearful at the same time. That is why young people from different European countries met in Italy to look for ways of peace.
The war, raging in Europe and other parts of the world, demands that the voice of the peacemakers sound louder. The warning expressed in 1977 by Saint Pope Paul VI is still valid today, "Peace is not a dream, it is not a utopia, it is not an illusion", although building peace is a "very difficult and very long" task. Earlier, Saint John XXIII reminded us of the four pillars supporting the building of peace: truth, justice, love and freedom. This is not just a list of principles, but a reference to universal values capable of inspiring decisions and actions valid for all people.
On August 9-14, 2022, an international meeting called Carta di Leuca was held on the topic: "The Right Ways of Peace". This event, which took place in Italy, united 50 volunteers from Ukraine, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Albania, Romania, Malta and other countries in conversations and activities dedicated to the issue of peace. Our Mission was presented within the international program by five volunteers from Lutsk (Caritas-Spes Lutsk of St. Peter and Paul Parish) and Lviv (Caritas-Spes of Divine Mercy Parish), who took part in the program and told the whole world about Ukraine.
The Carta di Leuca 2022 meeting brought together different cultures, countries and nationalities and encouraged reflection on the importance of peace in its various manifestations. In 2016, Carta di Leuca became an international meeting, calling everyone to a greater commitment to peace through the exchange of volunteer experiences. It is a permanent intercultural and interreligious laboratory for young people who live in different corners of the world striving to build a better future, caring about serving humanity and respecting its diversity. Carta di Leuca is aimed at all those who have not yet come to terms with violence, censorship and authoritarianism. At such meetings, young people take responsibility for opening new ways of brotherhood and friendship between peoples.
We thank our partners who raise the topic of peace among young people and are ready to expand their vision of the struggle for peace.
