News
Message and Opportunities from the WCC Youth Desk
Dear Friends, Warmest greetings from Geneva and the World Council of Churches!
Please find in this posting information about upcoming WCC opportunities for young people and important information concerning the World Youth Program proposals for 2009. Let me also thank each of you for your continued support and partnership over the last few years. I will be leaving the WCC in late June this year and return to Canada to further pursue my studies. We are anticipating that a successor will be hired for the WCC Youth Programme Executive position in July 2009. Please copy your future correspondence to our colleague Cristina Rendon RMC (at) wcc-coe.org during this time of staff transition. She can help you with any questions you may have as she knows the WCC's work and is familiar with our ecumenical youth partners.
World Youth Program Thank you to those who cooperated in the World Youth Program for sending us your 2008 reports! For those who intend to apply to the WYP in 2009 I encourage you to send us your proposals by the end of May if possible in order that I may screen them before leaving the office. Please contact me for a 2009 WYP proposal template. From July to early September, the new staff person will be fully occupied with the Stewards program and WCC governing body meetings that start in August. Realistically, WYP proposals sent after the end of May won't be screened until October. Please keep this in mind if your organization intends to apply to the WYP this year.
We will soon be including examples and highlights from projects supported by the WYP in 2008 on the WCC website. We hope this will provide visibility to the important work that young people are doing in the ecumenical movement. If we include highlights from a project that your organization has carried out, we will be sure to include any web links available so that people can find more information. General information about the World Youth Program and the highlights can be found at: www.ecumenicalyouth.org.
Due to a few factors, the WYP has less funding available for youth initiatives this year. Our contract with UCC-CIDA (Canadian Government Development Agency) came to an end after 2008 so fewer funds are available for youth projects especially in Asia and Africa regions. In WCC's reporting to CIDA this year we will ask for information how and if youth organizations can make proposals for further funding directly with them. Also because of the financial crisis we had to make some budget cuts to all our WCC activities including the youth program.
In light of the global financial crisis, it might be a strategic and important moment to make a statement together as youth actors and organizations in the ecumenical movement to point out: 1) The importance of investing in young people's leadership and capacity building 2) Provide examples of how we are working responsibly and cooperating together-as a commitment to support one another and make the most of our resources.
If you have any input or advice to give on such a message please share this with me. I will share this idea with other youth organizations whose headquarters are based in Geneva. If we can come up with some common message, I will let you all know and ask if you/your organization are willing to sign on. This can then be a message for our churches, partners and ecumenical family to show that in time of economic crisis, recovery depends on investing in young people to build up strong, sustainable societies. In the meantime, let us continue to hold one another in prayer during these difficult times.
Young Journalists If you are aware of any skilled young journalists in your networks and think they could benefit from an international, ecumenical experience, please contact the WCC Communications director, Mark Beach MEB@wcc-coe.org . He is trying to mobilize a small network of young journalists that he can invite to cover upcoming WCC events.
Youth E-News If you have any information that you can share for the WCC Youth monthly E-News (such as upcoming events, opportunities for young people, press releases, reports from past youth initiatives, other ecumenical resources, updated website) please share these with our intern, Mark Taylor, who is working with the WCC youth this year MTA (at) wcc-coe.org. He will be more than happy to include your youth-related ecumenical news. young people! Another opportunity for young people is available if you and your organization can identify youth leaders from your networks and region who would be skilled resource leaders (i.e. leading workshops, bible study, panelists etc) for the WCC International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in 2011, Jamaica. My colleagues are already starting to compile a database of potential resource leaders and I have worked with them to identify young people. Your input would be very helpful in this process.
More information about the DOV and IEPC Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV): http://www.overcomingviolence.org ; International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC): http://www.overcomingviolence.org/?id=3267
DOV Staff contacts: Mr. Hansuli Gerber (DOV coordinator) HUG (at) wcc-coe.org; Ms. Segma Asfaw (DOV expert consultations & IEPC) SAS (at) wcc-coe.org ; Ms. Nan Braunschweiger (IEPC coordinator) NAN (at) wcc-coe.org.
Echos Publication on Ecumenical Formation-looking for young writers and contributions If you are aware of young people that could write an article about Ecumenical Formation-theological and/ or methodological reflections-please send your ideas for authors to NMA (at) wcc-coe.org. The WCC Echos Commission on Youth is working on a publication of intergenerational perspectives on Ecumenical Formation. A general call for submissions should be made as well as specific invitations to individual authors for articles.
We are looking forward to continuing the ecumenical cooperation with you and continuing to strengthen this young generation. Let me also add that it has been a real privilege to work with you and your organization over the last five years. I have been truly inspired by the work you are carrying out in the region. I hope this finds you very well and that you will continue to be guided and strengthened by God to carry out your important work.
With peace and solidarity, Yours in Christ,
Natalie Maxson
Programme Executive Youth (Young Adults)
World Council of Churches,
Geneva
Tel: +41 22 791 6030
Fax: +41 22 791 6406
nma (at) wcc-coe.org
http://www.ecumenicalyouth.org
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