We Are Bridges for Peace: From Conflict to Connection
As the world grows increasingly complex, divided, and in need of healing, the call to be instruments of peace has never been louder. This year’s International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP), held from September 21 to October 21, 2025, invites us to take that call to heart through the theme:
“We Are Bridges for Peace: From Conflict to Connection.”
A Season of Reflection and Action
Launched by the Lasallian Commission on Youth, ILDP 2025 is more than just a campaign. It is a month-long journey of reflection, dialogue, and meaningful action rooted in the conviction that peace begins with connection. Inspired by this year’s Lasallian Reflection, “All is Connected,” the initiative challenges us to see beyond differences and divisions and to embrace our shared humanity.
Throughout the ILDP season, Lasallians worldwide will engage in weekly activities designed to foster dialogue, empathy, and concrete peace-building within local communities. From classroom discussions to community events, each activity is a stepping stone toward healing the fractures that exist in society today.
A Global Kickoff: Let’s Talk…Lasallian
This year’s celebration begins with a global online conversation—“Let’s Talk…Lasallian”—on September 22, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM (Rome Time). The virtual event will provide a space for voices across the Lasallian world to share stories, challenges, and visions of peace. Participants are encouraged to register and join this unique exchange of hope and solidarity.
Lessons from Presence and Empathy
At the International Gathering of Young Lasallians during the Youth Jubilee 2025, Br. Armin Luistro FSC reminded us of the sacredness of human connection. He told the story of Sergio, a child whose quiet embrace carried more meaning than words—a simple yet powerful reminder that true peace often begins with presence, empathy, and small acts of love.
These gestures, though seemingly ordinary, are the seeds of transformation. They remind us that peace is not abstract—it is lived in every interaction, every choice to listen rather than ignore, and every decision to include rather than exclude.
Becoming Bridges for Peace
The theme “We Are Bridges for Peace” is not just symbolic—it is a call to action. To be a bridge is to:
Connect lives: Building relationships across boundaries of culture, faith, and identity.
Mend divisions: Choosing reconciliation over resentment, dialogue over silence.
Stand for justice: Listening to the cries of the marginalized and acting with courage.
Walk with others in hope: Accompanying people on the path to healing and renewal.
As followers of Jesus and St. John Baptist de La Salle, we are urged to embody fraternity, service, and solidarity. In a world that often thrives on separation and polarization, being a bridge means becoming both dreamers and doers—individuals willing to envision peace and take bold steps to make it real.
Why It Matters Now
Wars, conflicts, and divisions dominate headlines daily. Yet, ILDP reminds us that the work of peace begins with us—in our schools, neighborhoods, and communities. The campaign’s activities are not distant ideals; they are practical pathways to build a culture of peace through dialogue, empathy, and action.
As Br. Armin so powerfully stated:
“The world has always been shaped by dreamers.”
Now is the time to dream of peace—and to work together to make it possible.
Join the Movement
From September 21 to October 21, 2025, let us commit to being bridges of connection and hope. Whether through engaging in ILDP activities, joining the global conversation, or taking small yet powerful steps in our daily lives, each of us has a role to play.
Together, let us transform conflict into connection, division into unity, and fear into hope