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Edition September 2002

Fimcap goes to Rome, 31 May – 3 June 2002.

The Fimcap presidium went to Rome for some official meetings with Pontifical bodies and institutions, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for Clergy and the Pontifical Council for Laity.

The meeting with Mgr Frank J. Dewane of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace was a good and open contact. A short presentation of Fimcap was necessary. Mgr Frank J. Dewane was very much concerned about the daily life in the parishes, in the rural areas, the needs of the youth. The Council has a lot of interesting publications on social issues. They showed their willingness to help on any concrete project, as far as it is relevant (e.g. input on a study theme, availability of their publications…)

The meeting with the Pontifical Council for Clergy, Mgr Castrillon (Columbia) was mainly about spiritual assistance. He was very concerned about the situation of priests working with youth. Since the issue of pederast priests in the States had a lot of attention in the Vatican and in the world press, there has been a general suspicion in the society. Too many priests are becoming afraid to work with children and young people. He suggested us to take up the topic of the priests, working with children- youth (e.g. at the chaplains meeting).

We had a meeting with the International Salesian Community Don Antonio Domenech He knows Fimcap very well. He remembered the previous contacts, and was very interested in our work. We looked for possibilities to co-operate, more in the sense of a moral and infrastructure support by the Salesian community all over the world. It was a very warm and nice contact.

The meeting with the Pontifical Council for Laity was disappointing. We had an appointment with Lucienne Sallé, but unfortunately she couldn't come for health reasons. We didn't have the opportunity to speak with somebody else from the council.

Finally we met Mgr Désiré from the Secretariat of state – Mgr Désiré was very interested in our activities and talked about many points. He gave us the feeling that he was very much in favour of our work. He also gave us some suggestions about the Pro Africa foundation. Afterwards he showed us round the Vatican. This was a very good contact.

Zeger Van Besien

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Fimcap-evening at World Youth Day (WYD) 2002 Toronto, Canada: a big success

135 Pilgrims: that was the number of World Youth Day participants who attended the Fimcap meeting on Thursday evening, 25th of August.

For the second time during a World Youth Day, Fimcap organised a “Fimcap-evening”. The aims were to bring the Fimcap-participants together during the World Youth Day and to give an opportunity to the Fimcap-member oganisations to present themselves to the other World Youth Day participants. The Fimcap-evening was one of more than 200 “Youth Festival” events. It was therefore published on the WYD web-site and in the pilgrims handbook.

The event was held at the National Trade Center, Exhibition Place, Toronto. It started at 8.00 p.m. The members who were present were from KJG-Germany, Zak-Malta, Chiro Philippines, Kiwo-Haiti, Xaveri-Uganda, Duk-Denmark and Chirojeugd-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Also World Youth Day- participants from The Netherlands, Mexico and Poland attended the meeting.

At the entrance, every participant received a Fimcap-leaflet and a copy of the Fimcap-song. After the official welcome, Edgar Montiano, National President of Chiro Phillipines told us about the Philippines and Chiro Youth Movement Philippines. A song in Tagalog was the end of his exposure. The delegation from ZAK-Malta told the participants something about Malta and taught us a song in Maltese. Afterwards the large delegation of KJG-Germany entertained us with a German song. Jacques Neptune from Kiwo Haïti had the difficult task to tell us something about Haiti and to teach us something in “Creole”. The last guests who told us something about their country and their organisation were Father Gerard, National Chaplain of Xaveri-Uganda and one of the Diocesan Chaplains. Afterwards we sang the Fimcap-song. Zak-Malta also prepared a very nice evening-prayer around the theme of the World Youth Day “You are the salt of the earth,..”. At the end we organized a lottery were some of the participants of the evening could win a Fimcap T-shirt. Every guest received also a small present as a memory of that evening. Chiro Philippines, Kiwo Haiti and Zak-Malta had also an informationstand (foto’s, leaflets, magazines, souvenirs,..) about their organisation. The Fimcap-information stand was also present.

With the organisations present we made a complete “tour of the world” (Asia, Africa, Latin-America and Europe) in a very nice Fimcap-atmosphere.

I would like to thank very specially the pilgrims of Zak-Malta who helped me organise this wonderful evening.

Bert Van den Bossche

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New Fimcap material for silk-screen printing!

Fimcap is now again in possession of renewed silk-screen printing material to print T-shirts. This material was used some years ago, but got damaged, as it had not been cleaned with enough care.

The new silk-screen printing frame is quite similar to the previous one, with the same logo and design. We have only added the Fimcap Internet address. www.fimcap.org. The whole set is packed in a portfolio and a bag and there are two colours available, red and black. There is an explanatory leaflet with instructions in French, English and Spanish. You only have to provide T-shirts, newspapers, water and old pieces of cloth for the cleaning.

Silk-screen printing is quite easy and quick, and the results are fantastic. A very special thank you to Julia Seghers for restoring the frame. For more information about the borrowing of this material, please contact the Fimcap secretary office.

Bert van den Bossche

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Partnership Chiro Southern Africa with Chirojeugd Flanders

The partnership is going on very well. Last year 15 Chiro leaders went to Africa (see Link October 2001) to experience Chiro life there. This summer, 7 Chiro leaders from Southern Africa came to Belgium to experience Chiro life in the Flanders.

They arrived on July the 4th, they were 7: Emma, Teboho, Ryan, Joseph, Zuko, Sarah and Thembile. They came from South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana. They did not know each other, but felt united in the Chiro Spirit. They were all chosen by the diocesan authorities for this long journey and for a three- week stay in Belgium, to experience its way of life and meet Chiro people.
They were amazed about things that seemed so obvious to us: to walk around in town in the evening without danger, the silence in the streets etc. They asked us if it was forbidden to sing in the streets. They were surprised to see people kissing in the street and to see so many restaurants and empty churches.
We were quite amazed as well. On the first evening, when they started to sing all together on the market place in Antwerp that had quietened down, a hundred people gathered around them to listen to them with admiration.
After 5 days of acclimatisation in Antwerp, they went to their host families and accompanied the local Chiro groups on camp.
They had a short stay in a family (Chiro), to experience daily life, to be cuddled and spoilt...After they had 5 intense days on camp with children and youngsters, a camp with tents, an immersion in the game culture of Chiro Belgium. (In Southern Africa, a game is only an activity among others like singing, studying the Bible, training). They were welcomed and accepted by the local group. They drank Belgian beer, made many new friends and had a fantastic experience.

They did not have enough time to tell each other all about their experience when they met again. Their enthusiastic voices, their radiant faces and their way of telling more and more exciting stories showed the joy of going through this experience.
After the camp they did not have time to get their breaths back. They recorded a CD with some of their African songs, sang in churches, and every time they were invited to sing again the next day. They went to the sea, enjoyed the good atmosphere and soon the second immersion week was over. The last days were spent in Brussels. The most fantastic moment was an unplanned concert on the “Grand Place” of Brussels. As we were a bit tired, we took a rest and started singing some songs. After some time we had about 500 people around us. At the last song, we reached hands and this half circle took half of the Grand-Place. We had very positive reactions afterwards!

The young people said that they would come back next year, to stay and get married here. We wondered if they had a realistic view about Belgium - they had only seen the good sides. The negative sides in our opinion like poverty, refugees, racism seemed to be insignificant. However, they were also very eager to meet their family and their friends again, to be able to talk about their experiences and try the new games in their Chiro groups.

Finally, I would like to thank all the people who contributed to the success of this fantastic exchange.

Els Hillaert

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International Exchange

“Yo quiero tener un millón de amigos y así más fuerte poder cantar…”

“I would like to have a million of friends and together we would be able to sing with more strength”!

This was the hymn of an international exchange camp (D-Project) in Catalonia. 7 Participants came from Jupach Chile, 8 from Nippac, Paraguay, 8 from Chirojeugd, Belgium and 7 from Catalonia. They spent together two weeks of intense community-life and had a fantastic experience.

The subsidies from the EU for this exchange project were granted in June 2002, one month before the realisation. After so many efforts we could finally realise our common dream. Having a positive answer from the EU did not mean that the money would immediately be transferred to the project account. Anyway, the CCCCCE people were prepared and had made their best to raise the money to pay the tickets for the people from Paraguay.
It was their first exchange with Fimcap over-seas partners! They were the hosting organisation for the first time. This meant a lot of work, they had to solve so many problems, but everything got solved in time!
Congratulations to the CCCCCE people and many thanks for all efforts and the incredible hospitality! Thank you Ana, Romina and Ignasi!

Surprisingly everybody arrived. After waiting for some who had some days of delay the camp could start. Our first Camp place was “La Conrería”, an old convent that had been transformed into a youth house, with sports grounds, swimming pool, meeting places and a beautiful view on the sea. We started with getting to know each other a little better and did some activities around the theme “peace”. Each organisation had prepared some activities about peace at home. We talked about the world peace issue, but also personal peace and peace work in youth organisations. We paid a visit to the Cathedral of Barcelona (Sagrada Familia), took a look at the houses of Gaudi (architect), had a very active game in the Güell park and at the end the day we danced and sang under the pouring rain at the very colourful and musical fountains of Barcelona. We also met some peace organisations and two people came to do a workshop around conflicts and frustrations.

After a bit more than a week, we went to the mountains, and settled in a small mountain chalet. “Can Frontanya”. We were the only ones there. The atmosphere became really great there. Each youth organisation got the opportunity in the evening to prepare a typical meal of one’s own country. It was very funny and incredible to see how the people were eager to show the best of one’s country. We ate Caldo (Paraguay), Empanadas (Chile), Tapas (Catalonia) and Pommes frites from Belgium. Every evening was a feast!
It was of course also the ideal place to do some mountain-walking, one-day walks, that was what the Catalonian people thought! And they were right! The environment was beautiful. But the distances were long ones, the sun was hot, not so much water and the foreign legs were not very used to this and consequently not very fast!
It is not always easy to live together with four different cultures, but this was a good example, it is possible!
On the first day of mountain walking, you could really see the many differences. The second day was much better as the people tried spontaneously to contribute in their own way to have a successful day walk for all of them.

At the end of the exchange, after the cleaning, the evaluation, the sketches with camp anecdotes, the songs referring to each participant, all exchanged the addresses. It was a great camp. Everybody went home, satisfied, tired, feeling sorry that it was over, with new friends, with a rich experience and surely with the feeling that you want more!

Sofie Mertens

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Fimcap Europe Bureau Meeting

Westmalle (Belgium), from 8th to 9th of June 2002

15 Delegates and Fimcap Europe officers from 9 European countries were hosted in the Chiro House in Westmalle. After the official opening of the meeting, they took up the usual points on the agenda, e.g. news of the organisations, report of the ICB, Euroclass project, the very positive evaluation of the Euroforum and of the Seminar in Malta, reports of the different working groups, report from the European Youth Forum meeting and the planning and calendar of future activities (WYD, Roundabout, and next Bureau meetings and European activities). The general Fimcap secretary gave a short report of the Intercontinental and presidium meetings, with a special attention to the preparation of a possible World camp in the Philippines. The main point was of course the preparation of the Euroconference that will take place in Austria 6-10 November 2002. The Euroconference will be linked with a seminar “Connecting people”, through a common theme oriented workshops with the Austrian Jungschar organisation and the European Fellowship. (Ecumenism, Europe and European organisations, partnerships and solidarity, intercultural learning (identity and culture), e- media and communication).

Short news of European organisations: good and bad news.

FOI.
The Fimcap presidium met FOI in Rome. For them Fimcap is the way to go international… From the next bureau meeting they will be involved in Fimcap again.

NUK Norway plans an activity together with the Baltic ecumenical organisation and is doing an effort in widening the co-operation with the Nordic organisations. They consider leaving Fimcap.

KJG Germany started a campaign ‘Enjoy the difference’, a campaign about tolerance and against Xenophobia (with political demands and in dialogue with Jewish and Muslim youth-movements). On their national general assembly in May 2002 Matthias Koffler became their new national chaplain, and they decided to increase their work in Fimcap. WYD 2005 will be in Cologne.

FDF Denmark celebrated their jubilee of 100 years. ± 6000 people came together in Tivoli for several celebrations and parties. In August there will be a training course with the European Fellowship and the World conference for staff persons and leaders. They have a project with the South-Eastern part of Europe with exchanges and training courses.

CCCCCE, Spain: There is a new secretary and a new president in CCCCCE. They had a presentation in the Catalonian parliament about the education of young people. There is a new book on how to work with teenagers. This summer there will be a multi lateral project with CCCCCE, Chiro, Jupach and Nippac.

Jubla: Each new member of the international commission receives a new FIMCAP-folder with general information about the work of the international commission, of the Fimcap activities and the structure, promotion materials and suggestions. The leader magazine got a new name (ideejubla) and a new layout. It is a magazine with all information in it for all levels of leaders and engaged persons in JUBLA. Partnership news: This summer a group of 9 leaders from JUBLA will travel to Namibia for a 4 weeks visit to our partner organisation. The leaders will visit mostly the north and will get a direct impression of the JUBLA, life and culture of Namibia.

SUK, Sweden
SUK is leaving Fimcap on 31st of December 2002. Alveiro, Zeger, Kurt and Wim for Fimcap met the Board at the Euroforum. It is a pity that the board and the annual meeting took this decision before the Euroforum and that there were no people involved there who have experienced what Fimcap is about.

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Roundabout project….. What about it??!!

A Roundabout project was always on our schedule! We just didn't know when! Our friends from other villages forming part of ZAK had done Roundabout projects before and it was always a success!! This was an encouragement to us to go ahead with our plans! After a lot of discussions, we decided to do this Roundabout project with Chiro Belgium. The Maltese members taking part had to plan the whole program for an entire week and this included preparation for food, lodging, places to visit and to do workshops in, amongst others. We stuck together and managed to overcome all obstacles. We also managed to get the subsidy from the EU program-Youth for Europe. This all took place between the 10th and the 17th of August. Finally, the most awaited day had arrived. The Chiro Kemzeke and the Chiro Stekene had both arrived in Malta and we spent the first two days getting to know each other better. Some were a bit resistant at first and found it quite difficult to socialise but as time went by, a new family was created. The theme of our program was 'Around our life in a week' and to convey this subject, we did some really intense workshops. We took the Belgians to a typical Maltese feast and to Comino, where we had the 'Castaway' game, surviving on an island. We also, took them to Mdina to find out more about our history and culture and San Anton Gardens, where there were two people who came especially to show the Belgians how to play typical Maltese games such as 'passju'. We discussed several issues which concern us young people such as sexuality and addiction. The week flew by quick. It was soon over but no one wanted to let go of the wonderful experience!! We learned and grew up together in that week!! There were a lot of kisses, hugs, signatures, photos and last but not least tears at the airport!! It was hard to say goodbye!! Between us we created a family that nothing can tear it apart!! Now, although they're gone, we still cherish our precious moments in our hearts and we will continue to do so every day of our lives. These experiences are carved in our hearts, never to be forgotten.. Special thanks to, Fimcap, all ZAK Leaders, the Zurrieq local mayor and last but not least the Youth Programme. and all those people in our community who helped willingly to make this project a success.

ZAK Zurrieq Malta
Sarah Marie Spiteri

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Zak-Malta

12 members left together on Sunday the 14th July 2002 for Toronto in Canada. The first few days were spent going around the city and sightseeing. On Thursday the 18th July we went to St. Catherine's were we were all welcomed into host families. Over there we met some Indonesians and all together we visited the Niagara Falls on the next day. The first WYD activity was a Mass on Friday evening for all youths being hosted in St. Catherine's. and was celebrated by Bishop James Wingle, the bishop of Canada. We then had group activities till we left for Toronto. There Maltese families living in Toronto hosted us. Tuesday the 23rd July was the start of the activities at Exhibition place. In the afternoon there was a welcoming Mass attended by thousands of youths and during the Mass the Pope arrived in Canada and flew above the crowd in a helicopter. On the following days there were various activities, catechesis and mass. On Thursday afternoon the Pope came to greet us all. In the evening we had a FIMCAP evening that was well attended. Friday was the day when the Way Of The Cross was acted out along the streets of Toronto and followed by all pilgrims at the various stations. The Pope was watching it via satellite from his island retreat. On Saturday we went to Downsview lands. Once there everyone settled down and as soon as it was dark there was a night vigil with the Pope in attendance. Everyone slept, or tried to sleep, only to be woken up by the rain at 6.00 in the morning. It rained quite hard and we quickly covered the bags with plastic and put on our raincoats. Later on the Pope came and he said Mass for all those present. At the end of the WYD the Pope announced that the next WYD would be in Cologne, Germany in 2005. Our group then spent another 4 days sightseeing.

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Local FDF groups in game via the web

During last spring FDF launched a new interactive concept for a national game. 410 small local groups with more than 2.600 participants in the age between 11 and 18 years participated. Since September 2001 they solved different tasks via the Internet and got different points for each task they solved.

In all, the participants gave more than 27.000 answers via the Internet to FDF. Each local group got a name and a password for the homepage for giving the answers. The youngsters were very enthusiastic for example there were more than 30 local groups who were online on Christmas evening at 18.30 for solving tasks and at New Years Eve at 23.45 more than 40 local groups choose to solve tasks.

During the first week of May, 700 of the participants met in Copenhagen to solve the final tasks and find a winner.

Bjarke

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