As wars continue to devastate communities in Ukraine, Nigeria, and the Middle East, a group of young people directly affected by conflict traveled to Rome to promote a message of peace and reconciliation through a new initiative known as Project Oxygen.
According to EWTN News, 40 teenagers from regions impacted by war gathered in Rome from May 31 to June 5 to participate in workshops focused on diplomacy, political engagement, and peace-building. The program sought to equip young people with practical tools for addressing conflict while encouraging a vision of hope rooted in cooperation and human dignity.
During their time in Rome, participants visited several Vatican offices, toured the Italian Parliament, attended conferences addressing artificial intelligence, and took part in Pope Leo XIV’s Wednesday general audience.
For many of the young participants, the initiative represented an opportunity to demonstrate that the next generation can play a meaningful role in building a more peaceful world.
“We can make a change altogether and understand what things and circumstances unite us, and by that go to peace altogether,” Olena, a participant from Ukraine, told EWTN News.
Project Oxygen was founded to create opportunities for young people from conflict zones to work together despite national, cultural, and religious differences. Organizers hope that fostering dialogue among youth can help challenge the divisions that fuel violence and mistrust.
Kathleen Hessert, founder of Project Oxygen and CEO of Sports Media Challenge, said current approaches to peace-building require fresh perspectives. According to EWTN News, she emphasized the importance of listening to younger generations when searching for solutions to global conflicts.
“The people in charge have not been able to come up with the solutions to peace. So we need to look somewhere else. And [by] their creativity and their imagination, these kids can bring a vibrancy, a creativity, and a dedication to peace,” Hessert told EWTN News.
The gathering comes at a time when Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly called for dialogue, reconciliation, and an end to violence in regions suffering from war. The presence of young people from some of the world’s most troubled areas served as a reminder that the desire for peace remains strong even amid ongoing conflict.
By bringing together youth who have experienced the realities of war firsthand, Project Oxygen seeks to encourage a new generation of leaders committed to understanding, cooperation, and lasting peace.
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