Background:
“If we look at our own cities, what people yearn for today is precisely a ‘new city,’ a ‘living city’ and a ‘fraternal city’ where, beyond every division, we are sisters and brothers to each other. Our goal is to be a pathway to fraternity, a means of dialogue at all levels, and an instrument of communion and oneness”
Chiara Lubich, January 2006
The Focolare Movement
Founded in 1943 by Chiara Lubich, the Focolare began with a small community in Trent, Italy, who felt called to bring about the unity that Jesus prayed for to the Father: “That they may all be one” (Jn 17:21 ). Today, it is a worldwide movement approved by the Catholic Church.
Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) was the founder of the Focolare Movement (The Work of Mary). In the course of her life, she saw the spirituality of the Focolare – the spirituality of communion – grow around the world. She was awarded 15 honorary doctoral degrees, including PhD in Sacred Theology given by the Pontifical University of Sto Tomas, Manila, Philippines, numerous civic awards, the Templeton Prize for Progress of Religion, and the UNESCO Peace Prize. She has published more than 50 books translated in 29 languages.
Today, the Focolare Movement that she founded is present in more than 180 countries. It has approximately more than 2 million adherents and people who are sympathetic to its goals – the majority being Roman Catholic. There is a growing number of non-Catholics from 350 churches and ecclesial communities. The Movement also includes many from other world faiths for example Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs. Then there are also those in the Movement who do not adhere to any particular religious faith.
The New City Press Philippines
New City Press Philippines (NCP-Ph) is one of the more than 20 publishing houses of the Focolare Movement spread all over the world. It is the home of the Focolare Publication in the Philippines. New City Press Philippines is established here in Manila in 1966 as the English edition of the Italian “Città Nuova” for Southeast Asia.
NCP-Ph publishes books on a variety of topics and a full-color monthly magazine, the New City Magazine. In publishing its books and magazine, New City Press Philippines aims at offering a view of the world from the perspective of unity – that unity that Jesus prayed for to the Father, “May they all be one” (Jn. 17:21).
New City Press books explore theological foundations for faith and spirituality, ecumenical and interreligious initiatives, and connections between religion and human identity, relationships, and culture. They also aim at being practical tools that share real-world examples of how people put the gospel into practice. New City Magazine on the other hand features articles and issues on the developments in interreligious and ecumenical dialogue, Gospel-based experiences, meditations and spirituality and it presents profiles and interviews of people who are making a difference in the fields of arts, economy, science, education medicine and cultural life. Every month the New City Magazine informs its readers about the contribution of the Focolare Movement to the realization of a united world.
New City Press Philippines, through New City Magazine, has been awarded for its contribution in promoting interreligious dialogue by local and international media commissions, like the Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA) in the Philippines and the International Christian Organizations of Media (ICOM) based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Vision-Mission and Goals
Vision Statement:
As an instrument of “witness and diffusion” of the Focolare Movement/ Work of Mary, New City Press Philippines moves towards a “pathway to universal fraternity, a means of dialogue at all levels, and an instrument of communion and oneness”, Chiara Lubich, January 2006.
Mission Statement:
Faithful to its commitment to spread the aim of the Focolare Movement, New City Press Philippines shall continue to:
- promote the “Culture of Unity” through its books and the New City Magazine.
As the front runner of the Focolare Movement in the field of media in the Philippines:
- reach out to faithful of various creeds and with people belonging to contemporary cultures to establish dialogue.
NCP-Ph Goal:
As the home of the Focolare Publication in the Philippines, New City Press Philippines (NCP-Ph) shall:
- Provide, through the New City Magazine, its print and on-line edition, up-to-date and relevant issues, articles and gospel-based experiences, founded in the Charism of Unity, that can offer spiritual and cultural richness;
- Produce books and other print materials that are inspired by the Charism of Unity and geared towards the spreading of the culture of dialogue; and
- Foster collaboration among local media practitioners and publishers projected towards promoting solidarity, justice, equality, truth and peace.
About Nouva Global
Nuova Global is a global initiative that supports the development of media organizations and journalistic projects to surface global challenges and solutions for the common good and towards humane global development.
The name “Nuova” is Italian for “New” and speaks towards what the initiative seek to achieve: To build new perspectives, develop new understandings, and to inspire new ways of shaping a united world.
Our Purpose
Shaping a world of unity and peace through presenting instruments, ideas and scientific insights for leaders, that promote the common good.
Our Mission
To promote and support peace-building through facilitating dialogue and nurturing mutual trust, understanding and acceptance within the global community.
