This spring, KKU and Scholas Occurrentes will host a historic convergence of youth from some of the world’s most conflict‑affected regions in Rome. Under the banner of Project Oxygen (O2), approximately 40 teens from Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Honduras, the United States, African and Asia regions impacted by violence will come together to begin a new chapter — one defined not by inherited trauma, but by courage, connection, and action.
Developed in collaboration with KidsKonnectUkraine (KKU) and Scholas Occurrentes, Project Oxygen (O2) is a launchpad for youth‑led peacebuilding. The Rome program is funded by KidsKonnectUkraine, enabling youth from conflict-affected regions to participate in this historic gathering in Rome.
A First Breath After Years of Fear
“For many of these young people, war has taken their breath long before it took anything else,” said global humanitarian and communications leader Kathleen Hessert, who helped shape the initiative and is also the founder of KKU. “Project Oxygen gives them the space — and the safety — to breathe again, to see one another clearly, and to imagine a future they can build together.”
Project Oxygen’s manifesto, “We Breathe. We Build. We Begin.” centers on one essential idea: breath is the beginning of everything — courage, truth, connection, and change.
Anticipating participants will arrive carrying grief, exhaustion, disrupted sleep, and the emotional weight of conflict, the program is intentionally designed to meet them at that starting point — with trauma‑informed dialogue, shared human experience, and opportunities to speak and be heard.
This vision echoes the call of Pope Francis, who has consistently reminded the world that young people are not merely spectators of history but its protagonists. As he has said, “Young people are not only the future of the world; they are its present.” He has also encouraged them to live with courage and hope, reminding us that “we need courageous young people who are not afraid to dream and to build a better world.” In that spirit, Project Oxygen seeks to create the conditions where young people affected by conflict can rediscover their voice, breathe again, and begin shaping the future together.
From Breath to Action
During Project Oxygen’s May 31-June 5 activation in Rome, each teen will design a concrete peace project to implement in their home community, supported by a long‑term global mentorship network. “This experience proves what we’ve long believed: young people are ready to reshape their future today, not just wait for tomorrow,” said Taylor Thigpen, KKU Deputy Director. Organizers are also exploring additional support to provide travel grants for participants with limited resources and seed funding to help youth activate their projects in the local communities.
Program elements include:
- Dialogue sessions using proven conflict‑transformation and middle‑ground frameworks
- Leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement workshops
- Media literacy training to help youth navigate information in times of conflict
- Cultural immersion experiences in Rome and Vatican City
