On July 23, 2024, URI Europe hosted a very special edition of Chai with URIE, our virtual gathering that brings together Cooperation Circle members, friends, and partners from across the region and the World.
This session, titled “Seeds from Mérida – Sowing Inspiration in Europe,” invited participants to reconnect over a favorite drink and reflect on the powerful experiences shared at the recent URI Global Gathering in Mérida, Mexico.
More than just a meeting, Chai with URIE offers a space of warmth, listening, and authentic community. This session was no exception. As participants joined from all corners of Europe and the World, bringing their favourite tea, coffee, and open hearts, we found ourselves united by a common question: how can the spirit of connection, vision, and global belonging we experienced in Mérida be rooted and nurtured in our European context?
We were deeply honored to welcome Eric Roux, Chair of the URI Global Council, as our special guest. Eric offered a heartfelt reflection on the Mérida gathering, sharing the importance of co-shared leadership, interfaith solidarity, and the hope that emerged from being together in person after so long. His words reminded us that what URI represents is not just an organization—it is a movement of people choosing peace, choosing to build bridges, and choosing to walk together, even when it’s difficult.
Participants were guided through a visual presentation of highlights from Mérida: joyful photos, key themes, and strategic insights that emerged from global conversations among regional coordinators, trustees, and staff. These moments sparked recognition and excitement in our group—reminders that while our contexts differ, our dreams often echo each other.
In the plenary discussions, participants shared their own reflections and hopes. We explored questions such as: What resonated with you most from the gathering? How can we strengthen CC-to-CC collaborations? What ideas can grow from this soil of shared experience? The answers were rich and deeply rooted in a desire for more connection, more learning, and more action—together.
The recording of the session is available on the URI Europe YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz51iyGnP70
At the URI, every voice matters. Every small act of connection becomes a seed. And together, we are sowing a garden of peace across borders, beliefs, and generations.
