The latest Chai with URI Europe virtual gathering brought together Cooperation Circles (CCs), individual members, and partners from across Europe for an inspiring hour of connection, reflection, and dialogue.

Hosted by URI Europe team members, the meeting provided a relaxed and friendly space for participants to share updates from their regions and discuss ongoing interfaith and peacebuilding initiatives.

Participants shared regional updates from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Luxembourg, Catalonia, and beyond. Highlights included the success of the “Rivers of Peace” as they called the Magical Interfaith Youth Camp initiatives, which continue to foster interfaith friendship, dialogue, and leadership among young people.

Exploring the URI Europe Strategic Framework

The URI Europe Coordinator presented the URI Europe Strategic Framework 2025–2030, outlining interlinked priorities that guide the region’s vision and actions. The first focus, Violence Prevention, emphasizes fostering dialogue across painful divides and addressing prejudice through grassroots cooperation and interfaith understanding. The second priority, Healing for the Earth, highlights the importance of strengthening both environmental and spiritual care initiatives, drawing on the wisdom of Indigenous and faith traditions. The third area, Growth and Visibility, calls for building strong partnerships and expanding URI’s presence and influence across Europe through collaborative and creative outreach. Finally, Vibrancy and Learning focuses on nurturing spaces for shared learning, mentorship, and connection within the network to sustain engagement and collective growth. Participants were invited to reflect on how these priorities relate to their own community work and how they can translate these global goals into meaningful local action.

Spotlight on Youth and Collaboration

One of the highlights of the call was the reflection on the recent interfaith youth camp “Rivers of Peace” held in Rousse, Bulgaria. The camps brought together young people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds to build leadership, empathy, and collaboration skills.
Youth participants, including Mehmed, Beloslava, and Adelina, shared how these experiences shaped their understanding of peacebuilding and deepened their interfaith friendships. Angelina emphasized that these youth gatherings not only build individual capacity but also strengthen URI Europe’s long-term vision of empowering young leaders for peace.

Regional Updates and Next Steps

Participants shared updates from ongoing initiatives — from interreligious conferences in Romania and peace education programs in Germany to community healing and cultural memory projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many expressed a desire to deepen collaboration and create bridges between their activities and URI Europe’s broader strategy.

In closing, participants were encouraged to stay connected and to use the URI Connect App to exchange ideas, share projects, and find new partners across the network.

Watch the recording on URI Europe YouTube Channel
View the presentation
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