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Ecumenical movement needs vision of the young

-09/09/05

By Fran Race

New perspectives and vision for the ecumenical movement are needed from the young.

That is one of the key messages set to emerge from the 9th Annual Council of the World Council of Churches (WCC), which will convene in Brazil, next year.

One of WCC's ambitious aims for the event is for it to be the largest youth event in its history, by having at least 25% of its delegates represented by 18 - 30 year olds.

'We are doing best for young people to have as much impact as possible,' said Natalia Maxson, WCC's programme executive for youth.

'Only young people can bring the kind of fresh energy to the Assembly that we need to develop new perspectives and vision for the ecumenical movement.'

With that in mind there will be a programme of ecumenical events set up for the youth present at the Council including a 3-day pre Assembly youth camp.

'The purpose of the youth camp is to build a space for gathering, formation, empowering and celebration. It will be a place for young people to make their voices heard,' commented Claudio Becker, the Brazilian Assembly youth co-ordinator.

Forming a significant part of the Assembly will be 22 'ecumenical conversations', providing delegates significant opportunities to discuss key issues. This includes a discussion titled 'youth transforming the ecumenical landscape'.

Most significantly, the young will not be limited only to participating in this discussion; every young person present at the assembly will be able to participate in all discussions.

Among those who have welcomed this news is Wagner Hadlich, a member a youth group of a Lutheran congregation in Porto Algare.

'No one was against our activities, but we had to keep on reminding the parish council 'Don't forget us! We are here and we need your support!''

'We don't want the youth to speak to the Assembly, but rather the assembly to speak with a youth voice,' Natalie Maxson added.

'For me, this paradigm honours and recognizes that we, the youth, are the church and the ecumenical movement.'

The 9th Annual Council takes place from 14 - 23rd Feb in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Fran Race is a reporter for Ekklesia and a member of All Hallows Anglican church in Leeds. She can be contacted: