For Our World Campaign

A timeless and universal message that

continues to inspire during current challenges

 The “For Our World Campaign”
 is a global endeavor to fulfill
Mattie’s hope that this poem
– penned on September 11, 2001 –
would be translated into 101+ languages
so that it might one day serve as an
“international passage for peace.”

On September 11, 2001, most American citizens were glued to television sets, and in a state of shock and horror as terrorist attacks on United States soil aired live on major networks.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek – the late teen poet and peace activist – was 11 years old at the time, and watched the lives of several personal friends go up in ash as buildings collapsed and fires raged. Fire fighter friends he had just high-fived and hugged on September 10, 2001.

As the tragic events unfolded and the numbers impacted by senseless loss skyrocketed, Mattie penned three poems.

The first was a statement of shock. The second was a statement of “what now? what next?” in the midst of so much violence.

The third poem – For Our World  –
was Mattie’s  personal and prayerful
response to those questions of
how we can move forthward 
with hope, and with peace. 

What makes this message
timeless and universal? 

Mattie’s For Our World poem was penned in response to an event that happened nearly 25 years ago – a tragic day that shifted his world and his work. 

 

However, Mattie realized that while the impact of 9/11 was personally devastating for him – he also recognized that other people in other times and other places are impacted by other devastating realities. 

 

This poem is not a reaction to an event; rather, it is a response to a reality, and a resilient message about “moving forthward” – from this or any tragic truth, with hope, and with peace, and without continuing to allow conflict to devolve into violence. 

 

“Conflict is natural,” Mattie reminds us. “It is violence and negligence and unkindness that is not healthy or necessary.”

“Peace is not about agreeing with
or even liking our neighbors,
but about simply living gently and
non-violently with our neighbors.”
– Mattie J.T. Stepanek

The For Our World Campaign

Many people, many places, one purpose –
for peace…

Mattie hoped that the message of healing and hope in For Our World might one day be translated into 101 languages and serve as an international passage for peace. 

 

He knew that across times and across places, people would inevitably deal with ongoing challenges and devastating events.

 

And he wanted this “pathways to peace” template – which encourages us to pause and consider consequences and to cultivate peace before continuing with our words and actions – to be available for any person in the midst of “what now? what next?” 

 

For the 10-year anniversary of this tragic event, Mattie’s Peace Foundation launched the For Our World Campaign on September 12, 2011 – with goal of helping people “move forthward” with peace, even after trauma.

 

We invited people around the world to translate Mattie’s poem into other languages. And, we encouraged people – children and parents, leaders and educators, and more – to read this passage, in English and in another language.

 

Our hope was that around dinner tables and conference tables and world tables, people would reflect on this message, and then respond and reach out with peace.

 

More than 50 translations of Mattie’s For Our World poem are now posted on our Foundation website.

 

Printed copies from Albanian to Zulu are there, as are videos of people sharing the poem in American Sign Language or in family, school, and community groups.

 

All of this is available to local and global neighbors at no cost. Translations can be downloaded and posted on refrigerators and bulletin boards and social media sites.

 

Indeed, Mattie’s hope is being realized. His For Our World poem is inspiring global citizens, and becoming a recognized and international passage for peace.

 

More and more people are moving peace from a good-feeling “To Do List” to a purpose-changing “To Be List.”

 

However, as we move towards the 25-year anniversary of 9/11 in 2026, both random and planned acts of violence continue in our country, and around our world.

 

Mattie’s “For Our World” message of peace  can be spread easily, through the powerful tools of the media and the internet, through individuals and families and schools and organizations downloading and sharing the message, and through the choices we each make in thought, word, and deed every day.

 

Help us amplify the words of this international passage for peace so that it serves as a catalyst for changing mottos of ‘revenge’ into credos of ‘rebuild.’

 

Together, let us rebuild the mosaic of humanity.

Peace matters. Peace is possible. 
And peace is for all people.
But, peace begins with a choice
– our choice.
We invite you to choose to give
renewed breath and voice to peace.

Tips for exploring "For Our World"

  • Parts 4, 5, 6 – coming Fall 2025… 

Campaign Guidelines

 

  • REFLECT 
    • Read or re-read For Our World –
               think about what it means to you, and to your community and our world.
    • Consider – what part of the message  
         is most challenging – for you?
            for our world?       
    • Consider – what part of the message 
         is most encouraging – for you?
            for our world?

       

  • RESPOND 
    • Practice pausing – for peace –
      “respond” rather than “react” to challenges.
    • Respond to this poem creatively –
      perhaps with with a photo, or artwork,
      or a journal entry, or a blog. 
    • If you speak another language – 
         translate the poem
         for our Campaign.
      Or perhaps you know someone
         who would offer a translation.

  • REACH OUT
    • Share this poem with others to
      encourage conversations about peace.
    • Post this poem on your
       fridge, social media, b-board –
       encourage peaceful interactions.
    • Submit your translations to
         INFO@MattiesPeaceFoundation
         for our Campaign page.

"For Our World" Translations

Click on each language to view or download the PDF version.
NOTE: We post multiple versions of languages to include poetic interpretation. 

 

 

 
 

 

"For Our World" Video Expressions

Mattie sharing his
For Our World poem
Billy Gilman’s For Our World on
 the “Music Through Heartsongs” CD

James, sharing For Our World
in American Sign Language

St. Ambrose Academy, Buffalo, NY,
school students visiting
Mattie’s Peace Garden in Maryland
Billy Gilman sings For Our World
on The Oprah Winfrey Show

Dla Naszego Świata – subtitles
poem – For Our World

Matthew Conner Jefferson
sings For Our World
Peace Club Kid Mattie Esaia
celebrates his 9th birthday:
DANCE – For Our World
For Our World
read by school children

Sun-Daze creative expression
of For Our World

Teen Shane Foxx
singing For Our World
 
Please send your For Our World videos
in English, other languages,
or creative expressions to
INFO@MattiesPeaceFoundation

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