An Introduction to Voci di Pace
Written by Giorgio Gasperoni, HJI Graduate Student
Voci di Pace began publishing in March 2007 as a project of UPF Italy and San Marino. Registered in the Republic of San Marino, I have directed it from the start. Over time, our editorial team has grown; today, we are five.
Initially, our goal was to engage our closest contacts, particularly Ambassadors for Peace. With patience, we earned their trust and built a strong network of collaborators.
A key challenge has been maintaining the magazine’s relevance. The risk was relying on archived articles without a strong link to current events. However, we have balanced in-depth thematic explorations with timely content.
A turning point came in 2015 when UPF International launched major global conferences and summits, expanding our ability to explore peace culture. These events, along with publications like Dialogue & Alliance, enriched our work.
In 2023, I enrolled at HJI to deepen my understanding of conflict transformation, negative and positive peace, interreligious dialogue, Christianity’s role, and ecumenism. These studies have provided new insights that inform the magazine’s direction.
In our latest issue, I dedicated the editorial to the 2025 Jubilee, reflecting on the responsibility of Catholic and Protestant churches in addressing today’s challenges. The risk is that the Jubilee remains a mere celebration rather than fostering real spiritual and social impact.
The 2025 Jubilee is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and deeper reflection on faith and modernity. In biblical tradition, it symbolized reconciliation and justice—values that remain crucial in today’s divided world.
The editorial also explores how Catholic and Protestant traditions have engaged with modernity. The Catholic Church transitioned from resisting 19th-century liberalism to embracing social issues, from Rerum Novarum to the Second Vatican Council. Protestantism, meanwhile, has responded in varied ways—from liberal theology, which reinterpreted faith in light of scientific discoveries, to fundamentalism, which upheld a literal biblical reading. The Social Gospel movement emerged as a middle ground, emphasizing justice and solidarity.
Despite differences, Catholics and Protestants have found common ground in the ecumenical movement and a shared commitment to social justice and environmental protection. The Jubilee presents a unique moment to strengthen dialogue and transform tensions between tradition and modernity into renewal.
Conclusion
Over the years, Voci di Pace has evolved from providing quality information to fostering reflection and dialogue on peace, justice, and spirituality. My studies at HJI have further deepened our exploration of religion’s role in modern society, bridging tradition and innovation.
The 2025 Jubilee offers a concrete opportunity to renew this commitment, emphasizing reconciliation and justice in a world of deep divisions. Faith communities must move beyond celebration to make this event a catalyst for spiritual and cultural renewal.
On this journey, Voci di Pace seeks to be an authoritative voice, sharing stories of hope, offering diverse perspectives, and advancing peace as an active process of transformation.
Voci Di Pace Blog: https://www.vocidipace.it/