In today’s world, the challenges of peaceful coexistence are more pressing than ever. This book invites readers to reflect on what it truly means to live together: embracing tolerance, cooperation, intercultural understanding, intergenerational solidarity, communion with the unborn and our ancestors, respect for our common home - the Earth- and the realization of shared institutional goals.

By exploring these dimensions, Living Together Differently presents a vision of coexistence as more than just a social necessity; it becomes a path toward “the science of happiness.” This journey begins within, calling us to reconnect with our inner selves as the foundation for building inclusive, harmonious communities where people can live together – differently, yet joyfully.

This book is a result of JCAM Research Network Colloquium organized in Kinshasa in November 2024

This second volume explores the challenges of vivre-ensemble—living together—and offers practical approaches to building harmony in the midst of differences. The first section addresses the issues surrounding the theme of living together from a philosophical perspective, drawing on rich African ethical traditions such as Ubuntu and Fihavanana as meaningful answers to the growing problem of individualism. Instead of a self-centered outlook, the book promotes a vision of shared understanding and interconnection. It also highlights how any true account of universal history remains incomplete without recognizing and valuing cultural diversity.