An invisible thread connects people from different cultures, languages, religions, and traditions around the world. It is the thread of dialogue, mutual trust, and the belief that cultural heritage can become a tangible means of building peace.

This is the spirit of the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal, the international appeal promoted by the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco – Life Beyond Tourism® to invite individuals, institutions, universities, businesses, and civil society organizations to share a common commitment: promoting the Culture of Dialogue as the foundation for a more just, inclusive, and peaceful future.

At a time marked by conflicts, polarization, and growing international tensions, the Appeal reminds us that peace is built through agreements between governments and through people’s ability to meet, understand one another, and recognize each other.

What is the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal?

The Heritage for Building Peace Appeal stems from the belief that tangible and intangible cultural heritage is far more than a testimony to the past. It is a living resource for dialogue, capable of connecting people and communities through knowledge, respect, and appreciation of their respective cultural identities.

The Appeal invites individuals and organizations to play an active role in this process, affirming a simple yet fundamental principle: peace is built every day, through meaningful relationships, intercultural dialogue, and cooperation among peoples.

By endorsing the Appeal, people and organizations become part of an international community committed to fostering a culture of encounter, recognizing cultural heritage as a shared language capable of building bridges across differences.

From 101 to 105 Countries: A Growing International Community

On the occasion of the International Day of Friendship, celebrated by the United Nations on 30 July, the Foundation thanked all the individuals, institutions, businesses, and organizations that had chosen to endorse the Appeal.

To mark the occasion, a video was released celebrating representatives from the first 101 countries reached by the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal.

Behind each endorsement are people who have chosen to affirm a fundamental principle: dialogue between cultures, cultural heritage, and mutual understanding can help prevent divisions and build relationships based on respect and cooperation.

Since then, the Appeal has continued to grow. Today, 105 countries across five continents are represented, reflecting an expanding international community and a commitment that crosses geographical borders, cultural differences, and religious traditions.

This achievement goes beyond numbers. It is the result of relationships built over the years among universities, cultural institutions, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals from countries around the world.

Each new endorsement strengthens a simple yet powerful message: our differences can become a starting point for getting to know one another, working together, and building a culture of peace.

Towards the International Day of Peace

The next milestone will be 21 September, when the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Peace.

For this occasion, the Foundation would like to give a voice directly to the people behind the Appeal.

All signatories are invited to record a short video of approximately 30 seconds, sharing:

• why they chose to endorse the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal;
• what this commitment means to them;
• why they believe heritage can contribute to peacebuilding.

The video may be recorded in your own language, accompanied by an English translation or transcript.

Contributions should be sent by 10 September 2026 to relations@lifebeyondtourism.org.

The videos received will come together to create an international message for 21 September, bringing together the voices of people and organizations from different countries and cultures around a shared commitment.

Our Goal: Reaching Every Country in the World

The journey continues. The Foundation’s ambition is to progressively involve representatives from every country in the world, so that an ever-growing number of cultures, communities, and territories can become part of this international network.

Every signatory is therefore invited to share the Appeal with colleagues, universities, institutions, businesses, associations, and friends, helping us reach countries that are not yet represented.

Every new endorsement builds another bridge. Every new voice strengthens the message.

Because peace cannot be built alone.

Peace is built together.

The 105 Countries of the Heritage for Building Peace Appeal

To date, the Appeal brings together representatives from 105 countries across five continents: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States, Venezuela, Yemen e Zambia.

Countries Still to Be Reached

Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brunei, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Cuba, Denmark, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Finland, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Iraq, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niue, North Korea, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.