About 9000 teenagers met in Rome, Italy's Colosseum and marched to Saint Peter's Square on May 26, 2002, to affirm that a future of peace is possible. The march was organized by the "Boys and Girls for Unity" of the Focolare Movement (focolare.org) and consisted of many religions and nationalities from 87 countries. Among the representatives were Jews from Rome, Brazil, and Israel; Muslims from the Middle East, the United States, and Pakistan; Buddhists from Japan and Thailand; Hindus, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians from India; and followers of traditional African religions.
Reminiscent of the meeting of religious leaders for peace, hosted by Pope John Paul II on January 24 in Assisi, the theme for the Colosseum meeting is "the golden rule," often mentioned at Assisi: "Do unto others what you would have done unto you."
The march was preceded on Saturday, May 25, by a gathering in the Marino Sports Palace near Rome, accompanied by music, theatrical games, songs, and testimonies from the participants and concluded on May 27 in Florence with an International Forum of boys of different religions. Guests at the march included Chief Rabbi Di Segni of the Jewish community of Rome; Reverend Miyamoto of the Myochikai Buddhist movement (Japan); Vinu Aram (Hindu), leader of the Shanti Ashram Ghandi movement; Spanish Imam Allal Bachar; and Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
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