Link

This is the on-line version of Link, the bimonthly newsletter of Fimcap.

Edition June 2004

General Information

Calendar [top]

Intercontinental Bureau Meeting [top]

ICB from 19-21 March 2004

The Intercontinental Bureau met at the Fimcap secretariat in Antwerpen (Belgium). The complete bureau was present and several guests joined the meeting for certain topics. Carme Carrion i Ribas (President), Zénon Manirakiza (President Fimcap Africa), Daniel Osei Yeboah (Vice-president Fimcap Africa), Corno de Mol (President Fimcap Europe), Doris Renggli (Vice-president Fimcap Europe), Alveiro Vasquez (International Chaplain) and Zeger Van Besien (Secretary General), were present.

Guests: Jaime Muñoz (Jupach Chile), Marleen Deblonde (Link), and partly: Olivier Heyen (OIC representant), Olga Maksymenko (Euroclass student),Bert Van den Bossche (WYD), Didier Urbain (FF-group), Veerle Desaeger, Tine Cornillie President international commission Chiro).

We noticed that the there have been quite a lot of contacts with member organisations since the last ICB meeting. We are happy to see that Ateitis Federation (Lithuania) as well as eRko (Slovakia) will apply for full membership in Fimcap.

The ICB approved the financial accounts and balance for 2003 which was quite positive, even after a world camp. It also approved the budget for 2004. A review on the work of the continental structures and their upcoming activities was done. The preparations for the Chaplains meeting and the G.A. were discussed. It was agreed that the Chaplains meeting was to be organised in Uganda from 10 to 15 May, and the possibilities for further subventions for the project was discussed. A programme was made up by Wim and Alvi, and according to the Xaveri movement in Uganda, a lot of organisations have already confirmed their participation.

The General Assembly, which is scheduled for July 2004 in Barcelona, is being prepared on different levels. The study theme is prepared by the Catalan team, together with Carme. The statutory part is prepared by Zeger together with Olivier. Programme proposals for both parts were discussed and approved by the ICB. The presidium is taking up the practical arrangements together with people from the Catalan secretariat. As soon as the documents of the program are available, they will be sent to the different organisations.

Didier Urbain presented us an analysis of the existing database. A lot of ideas for improvement have been given. Together with the FF-group, Didier will continue working on the data base, and try to make up a draft, that can be operational at a secretariat level.

Olivier Heyen reported on the past General Assembly of the ICO-conference. He was quite positive. Several working groups have been established within the structure of the COIC, he joined the working group of Canon Law. They are preparing a study day in Paris .

At the GA of the ICO-conference, it was also decided to make up a common statement from the part of the Youth ICO's at the WYD. A draft will be made up by JECI-MIEC, and will be discussed during our GA.

Concerning Link, Marleen Deblonde presented a discussion note on the way Link is made, and options for the future. We decided to use an integrated approach of communication, using different channels (Link on paper, by e-mail and website). This discussion will also be taken up at the General Assembly.

Special thanks for all the people who made a long journey to join this ICB meeting. Some people took the opportunity to join the seminar in Malta as well. It was good to feel the warm presence of the southern world in a European activity.

Zeger Van Besien

Encounter of the Chaplains of Fimcap Africa [top]

The meeting took place between 10-16 May in Kampala, Uganda. Its aim was to gather all national Chaplains of Fimcap Africa to share and exchange their realities of the pastoral work with youth in their own organisations. At the same time it was a training session on how to work with the Bible in youth groups.

May 10^th: We made a visit to Mgr Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to thank him for supporting the realisation of this project at the Foundation Pro-Africa. The Nuncio encouraged us to continue working in our organisations as this is a very efficient way to evangelise with youth. He reminded us that the children and youth pastoral work is important and that it is really necessary to integrate the youth work know-how in the sacerdotal education of a priest, which could be realised through contacts with organisations like ours.

He also congratulated Xaveri Uganda for the work they do in the society.

May 11^th: We started with the presentation of the work each of us is doing in his own organisation. Later Wim presented the first session of "Bible work with young people", which was on the programme every morning.

In the afternoon, we paid a visit to a local Xaveri group that presented different typical dances. In the evening, Zénon gave a speech on UBUNTU.

(Ubuntu is the symbolic word known in most African cultures which qualifies the noun "umuntu" the human person. Ubuntu is about the virtuous aspects of the human person and consists of goodness, respect, justice, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, diligence, humility, trust, solidarity, wisdom, etc.). See Editorial Link October 2002.

May 12^th: The morning began with a Bible study and then a young woman talked to us about the women's situation in Africa and, especially, in Uganda. She also spoke about her work in the female youth program of pastoral work and development. We took the commitment at Fimcap Africa level to put forward the significance of women's work and at the same time encouraged a more significant presence of women in national teams. In the afternoon we visited some social projects realised by Xaveri Kampala whilst in the evening we continued our discussion about Ubuntu.

May 13^th: The day of the discovery of the source of the river Nile ! We also visited Janja and then returned to Kampala. We were told that on June 6 th the Catholic and the Protestant Churches commemorate the day of the martyrs from Uganda and we also wanted to feel this. As a result we prayed in spiritual union with and for all those martyrs and also for the unity of the churches.

Friday May 14^th: We continued to exchange and to share ideas. In the afternoon we presented the General Assembly that will take place in Barcelona 26-31 July. In the evening we were invited by a family for dinner.

Saturday May 15^th: We concluded our sessions and began a reflection on the WYD, and the project that KJG will organise jointly with Fimcap during the week previous to the wolrd youth days. In the late afternoon, we did an evaluation and had the conclusive celebration of our encounter.

On the whole, we believe that this encounter helped us to get to know each other better, motivated us more in our pastoral work, and made us discover the importance of the work with young people and at the same time the difficulty it presents. We also realised the it is important to have a sound formation for this work, since goodness alone is not enough., It is necessary to have some professional skills and the necessary knowledge to be able to touch the heart of our youth; to accompany them in their process of faith and ultimately to feel that the right moment has come to let them walk alone.

Finally I want to thank all those who made this encounter possible, that is the organisations that gave us financial support, the participants and the national team of Xaveri Uganda, and their national chaplain P. Yaya for his dedication, help and effort.

Alveiro Vasquez
International Fimcap Chaplain

Africa

Ghana [top]

A disaster has hit the Ghana CYO

A strong wind hit the CYO centre and 80% of the roof has been ripped off. This happened on 1 April 2004. The electricity is cut off as the wires and building are now exposed to the open weather. At the moment Victor Quaye-Foli cannot type letters or even use the computer in the office as power is off. He is now moving from one end to another to get letters type, in some cases, he has to use hand writing. We as Executives are mobilising funds for the repairs but things are not easy as funds are not coming as we expected. The purpose of this letter is to put you in the picture and appeal strongly for financial support without which things will be difficult. We are about to enter the rainy season and we need to get the building re-roofed.

Yesterday it rained and I fear for the centre if it rains at Nswam. I attached pictures which I have managed to scan for some action on our behalf.

If you have some urgent message for the CYO, the telephone (+233-083222182) is working. But it would be best to fax it to:

• +233-021667979

Address the fax to:

• M.V. Quaye-Foli
  C/o Philip Alex Quarm
  Ghana Telecom
  Accra - North

George Fianku
National Vice-chairman

A national Xaveri - Camp 2003 – Uganda [top]

Many warm greetings from XAVERI office, Uganda to all FIMCAP Organisations throughout the world!!

I am writing out of a lot of excitement and a great and wonderful experience that we got in our 3 rd National Xaveri Camp 2003, held in Masaka Catholic Diocese at Kyamaganda parish between the 12 th – 18 th December 2003.

The camp drew over 1350 participants from nine (9) dioceses out of the fourteen (14) where our movement exists. It was a spiritual, adventurous and intellectual experience to most of the participants; we had young ones (9 – 12 years), teens (13 – 19 years) and adults (20- 34 years). What excited us most was the commitment to share, help one another and the eagerness to learn new things (for example different skills according to our age grades).

Among the new experiences we had: a charismatic renewal of praising, cooking food using our local baskets (hand woven) and few individuals from dioceses participating in all activities on competitive basis in order to raise the flags of their dioceses!!

Among the activities we had female football and netball, volleyball, male football, basketball, athletics, music, dance & drama. We also had kind and apostolic actions to all people of God in the nearby villages around our campsite.

We stayed with our new National Youth Chaplain Fr. Yaya Zacharay (Y.Z.), 23 other priests; co-Chaplains of Xaverians, 11 sisters, 8 brothers and 67 adult animators. We were honoured by the ordinary of Masaka Diocese Rt. Rev. Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, at the opening ceremony of our camp, and the Papal Nuncio to Uganda his Excellence Christopher Pierre who closed the camp officially. Certificates of merit participation were awarded to competent members.

All in all, we went back to our homes full of vigour to serve our Lord since our theme of the camp 2003 "Xaverians be my witnesses" urged us. Surprisingly some members didn't want it to end!!

I end up by saying, if such thing happened at a national level, what about the Universal level? (i.e. FIMCAP World camp!!).

Dennis Musisi

Latin America

Paraguay [top]

Nippac-Paraguay organised a camp for their leaders in which they could live together and share their experience for a week Three people from Jupach Chile, and three from Chiro Flanders got the opportunity to participate.

Here is the experience of the Chiro leaders:

It was a very strong and positive experience for all of us. The welcome at the airport was very warm (in all meanings). Two Nippacinos took us to our hosting family. This really felt good after the long journey. During the days with our host family, we had the opportunity to learn about the country, the people and their culture.

Later we left for the camp, together with about 100 Nippac leaders. We were all expecting a big adventure, and when we arrived in Paso Yobai, we discovered one of the most beautiful places of Paraguay. We felt home immediately on the nicely decorated camp place. The 7 days were filled with lots of different activities, starting early in the morning and ending late in the evening.

The camp theme was "Con Jésus en el corazón, Nippacinos en acción", we reflected on important values and norms. We spent two afternoons in the village and did some community work: the playground of the school got a new look and an old lady got help to build a new house.

We also had some excursions. We went to visit a local Indian village, we went swimming in the waterfalls of Yvytyrusú and made a very active city game in the nice town of Villarica .

It was an unforgettable camp, with very nice cooking mothers and excellent food. We sang and danced for hours and had a very intense and nice time together. Now we have lots of friends at the other end of the world.

The days passed by too quickly and it was very hard to say good-bye.

Thanks a lot for this experience!

Veerle Verbruggen

A Chilean impression [top]

In 2003 it was a big surprise for me to receive an invitation to participate at the National Camp of Nippac 2004 in the town of Paso Yobai, in the beautiful country of Paraguay. It was a great pleasure for me to represent Jupach in such an event.

I was counting the days up to 16 January 2004 and was busy with lots of preparations for the trip. With my rucksack on my back and other handbags I took the bus to Paraguay, with emotion and excitement, and with the aim to represent Jupach at the camp.

When we arrived at the bus terminal of Asunción, they were waiting for us and the adventure began.

We arrived to Villa Hayes city that welcomed us warmly. At the headquarters of Nippac movement we were shown that the young people in Chile and Paraguay are in fact similar, they are just in different countries. There are many things to tell about the host family, but it would take too much time. I would just like to say that I felt at home and the people who hosted me were really great, even when they talked Guarani as it is usual in Paraguay !

On Monday January 19 we left from Villa Hayes to Paso Yobai where the camp took place and where we stayed for a week. We were together with the leaders of Remancito and Limpio. It was of great emotion to have again such a camp experience, thinking of the National Leaders Camp of Chile. An experience we would now have again in Paraguay.

The days were full of activities, giving the opportunity to meet youth involved in their own movement, to get new energy for 2004 and to restart the work with the children. Realities are different and similar to those in Chile and in Jupach. We are grateful for the things we have in our country and for the young people that give without expecting anything. The spirit of the youth flooded the whole camp, the wish to do things well. Enthusiasm never seemed to make them tired, not even during the games and groups activities.

Among the things that surprised me and my two companions from Chile were that customs and culture have strong roots in the youth, things that we are not used to see in Chile. Also the fact that they all spoke in one or another way Guarani, and that they sang and danced their folkdances with enthusiasm and without shame was amazing.

Exchanges like these are not only there to experience a foreign country, like when going on holiday. They enable you to share, learn, to become aware of the importance of Jupach in your life and to try to pass it over, Sunday after Sunday and day after day to our children and leaders' teams.

José Luis Salamanca
Jupach – Chili
www.jupach.cl

Fimcap: experience interculture [top]

When you hear about FIMCAP, it seems something far away. However, when people from Chile participate in an international experience, they begin to understand the motive behind an International Federation of youth movements dedicating leisure time for a more humane world. Being part of a world organisation becomes only reality when we take up the responsibility of becoming an active part of it.

From Belgium to Germany

The first activity I participated in was the Intercontinental Bureau meeting which lasted three days in Antwerp, Belgium. In a nice meeting room, with people who dedicate time and energy for others, we began to work around the realities of each continent.

In this way, I could learn about the work of FIMCAP Africa, how they are organised and what their problems and their strengths are. I could also grasp the idea of how FIMCAP Europe is organised, with different social, cultural, and geographical realities. During the meeting in Antwerp, I learnt a lot about the work of FIMCAP, and about the objectives an international organisation tries to achieve.

There was also time for personal contacts with people of European organisations which take care of the well-being of organisations of the south. That is why I went 2 days to Cologne in Germany, where I presented the work of Jupach in Chile and the contribution of the movement in the vulnerable sectors of our society.

It was also the moment to reaffirm the importance of our voluntary work. When we are busy working in our local groups, we sometimes forget that we make an important contribution to our civil society.

I had similar contacts with the Catalan CCCCCE organisation. In Barcelona I had the possibility to discover the work they do at a local level, by participating in an afternoon of activities in a local group near Barcelona; and then by being part of the General Assembly of CCCCCE.

Malta was really the space to live the intercultural. The European Seminar gathered people of different organisations of Europe for five days to learn about other realities. The European Seminar was also an example that ZAK is a responsible and solid organisation.

I would like to thank all those who took care of me during the 27 days I spent far away from my country, those who welcomed me in their home; those who always took time to accompany me. For everything and to all - THANK YOU!!!

Jaime A. Muñoz
Jupach – Chili
www.jupach.cl

Europe

European Seminar in Malta [top]

From multicultural to intercultural

Between the 2^nd and 6^th of April ZAK (Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika) together with FIMCAP organised a seminar -"Youth groups from multicultural to intercultural" in which youth workers from 15 countries (Malta, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Romania, UK, Sarajevo, Switzerland, Lithuania, Denmark, Chile, Sierra Leone, Netherlands) came together to discuss the concept of intercultural learning.
Many times conflicts arise during youth exchanges which turn the exchange into a bitter experience for the young people. This seminar aimed to strengthen youth leaders and youth workers involved in youth exchanges, to understand better the process of intercultural learning - a process that moves human beings (minds, hearts and bodies) to a deeper awareness of their own culture (norms, behaviours, relationship and visions) through a qualitative immersion in another culture.
The term "intercultural learning" can be understood on different levels. On a more literal level it refers to an individual process of acquiring knowledge, attitudes or behaviour that is connected with the interaction of different cultures. However, intercultural learning can also be seen in a larger context to denote a concept of how people with different cultural backgrounds can live together peacefully, in community and in constant interaction.

Learning in this context is understood less as an individual process but emphasises instead the open ended character of the process towards an intercultural society (beyond multiculturalism).

Intercultural learning demands that we know ourselves and where we come from, before being able to understand others. It is a challenging process as it involves very deeply rooted ideas about what is good and bad, about how we structure our world and our lives. In a process of intercultural learning, what we take for granted and feel is essential to put into a question. Our identity is challenged by other people's ways of doing and thinking and this sometimes occurs through conflict. Developing intercultural sensitivity is a gradual process from denial to integration of differences. Intercultural learning accelerates the pace of adaptation, enhances performance, and helps us recognise and manage culture shock.

On a youth exchange young people are always confronted with new environments, new ways of looking at things and new practices. We should not underestimate the role that cultural differences can play in promoting or hindering the non formal learning process. Raising young people's awareness, to see themselves as "cultural beings" hopefully helps them to be equipped with enough sense to notice when cultural differences play an important role in a situation of exchange of knowledge and practice.

We hope that this seminar made the participants more aware of intercultural sensitivity so as to build better contact with young people and to get as much as possible out of youth exchanges.

For ZAK this was a great experience because for the first time in Malta we did not have leaders from Fimcap Europe only but we also had Jaime from Chile and Fr. Daniel from Sierra Leone. They both enriched the seminar and we really want to say thank you to both of them.

Miriam Teuma
ZAK Malta

Here are some comments from different participants who attended the seminar

"I feel really happy :-). I learnt so much – Not just about cultures but also about myself. Thanks FIMCAP"

"I have a lot of energy to continue our Roundabout now"

"Happy to have lived this Fimcap feeling. Sad 'cos it's over :-( "

"Happy and thankful and with a big responsibility to pass it on to others"

"The seminar has given me great courage and has enlightened me in the work with young people"

Miscellaneous participants

"Coming from Sierra Leone where we have a different background, the Seminar helped me to become aware of the challenges that go with exchanges of youths from different cultures and some useful information on how to deal with them. It is possible for youths to understand and work with different cultures and languages with ease. I was impressed by the team spirit, the enthusiasm of participants and the wonderful contributions made by all. It was a learning experience and a challenge for Africa in the near future."

Fr. Daniel Yeboah

"For me the seminar on Malta was a great experience. As the only participant of the Netherlands I knew nobody of the big group of people who joined this seminar. Now it's the day after the seminar ended and almost everybody left. Maybe you know the feeling of loneliness after a summer camp. Having a very good time with a group of people and then you're at home without those people. Too much silence. It was a great seminar and I go home with a lot of things to think of, new things I learnt, a large amount of memories and a group of new friends and even a new project to work on. I want to thank our Maltese hosts for all their good work for this seminar. It was great."

Frans Wolkenfelt

The best language always comes from the heart

When an organisation is doing well, you can see it very clearly. That is the case of ZAK Malta The experience that they made us live during the European Seminar was the fruit of great co-ordination and planning and it was this that allowed experience intercultural learning.

An experience of life all participants will remember. The differences in languages were not a problem as everybody tried to make himself understood. This shows that the best language always comes from the heart. Words only are meaningless, if these are not accompanied by actions. The important thing is to know what you want to say, without fear of barriers.

Congratulations, because the Maltese were the first ones to overcome this obstacle and little by little all participants managed to understand each other, understand the words, the emotions and creating those effective links that usually are resistant to distance.

It is now up to us to continue this experience, not only through exchanges of pictures and emails, but also like a seed that falls in fertile earth and that it is able to give fruit, supported by the real friendship that was experienced at this international level.

Of course, probably we will never meet again those friends we have found in Malta which was the reason for the sadness and the emotion of the last day. However we feel happy that they crossed our life. Personally I know that my country will be remembered in other places of the world. We are sure that our contribution, either the song, the game, or the working method will come up in another organisations. And it will only be at that moment, next to personal memories, that you will discover that the spirit of the intercultural encounter in Malta continues to live in you.

Finally, I want to thank all those that made it possible for me to discover the wonderful island of Malta and the people there. I am very happy about this because I never felt a foreigner. Thanks to all the people of the organisation and also to the European friends. They will always have an important place in my heart.

Jaime Ariel Muñoz M.
Jupach – Chili
www.jupach.cl

EuroForum [top]

From 15-18 April the Euroforum 2004 took place in Kaunas , Lithuania under the name "The Ship of Experience". About 40 youth leaders from different Fimcap organisations (Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Catalunya, Ateitis) came together to learn from each other not only by sharing their experience, but also to experience the way of working and activities of Ateitis federation. This was done by workshops on music, sculpture, and dances.

The Music workshop initiated us in the "skuduciai", a kind of reed pipe, which can only produce one tone. By playing different "skuduciai" in a very disciplined and concentrated way together with several persons, a beautiful harmony can be created. The sculpture workshop consisted mainly of making creatures with plaster. The dancing part was an initiation to different traditional dances which sometimes is applied on more modern music. The success of these dances was very visible during some other moments of the Euroforum.

On Saturday afternoon there was a city game to get more acquainted with Kaunas , while people from Chiro and Fimcap had a meeting with the president Liutauras Serapinas and the international board of Ateitis Federation, in order to prepare the accession of AF as a full Fimcap member and to build on the upcoming partnership between AF and Chiro.

Many thanks to the people of Ateitis who have done a wonderful job by organising this Euroforum. It was not only a ship full of cultural experience, but also full of laughter, joy and enthusiasm.

Zeger Van Besien

European Bureau meeting [top]

Bratislava, Slovakia, 22^nd – 23^rd of May

The BM in Bratislava was a big success. Erko did a perfect job in organising this BM. Most people were very curious about the organisation because it was the first time that Erko organised a Fimcap activity. So, many delegates took their time to get to know the organisation and of course the city.

There were some important issues that had to be dealt with during this BM. We had a good evaluation of the activities that were organised. The Euroforum in Lithuania and the seminar about interculturalism were both a success. There are always critical remarks but all in all both activities were highly appreciated by the participants. The Euroforum was very much appreciated because of the excellent programme and the small number of participants. Due to the small number attending the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other well. This is an important factor in creating a family atmosphere.

The seminar was very interesting. People liked the theme and appreciated the different methods used in the seminar. Some organisation are already using some methods in their own work. Initially it was hard for some people to be a participant and not a leader. It seams to be difficult not to be responsible for an activity.

We also discussed the cancellation of this summers activities, the sms interrail game and the Eurocontact. FDF and Patro had to cancel these activities because of various reasons. This was a big disappointment for the bureau members. Not only do they have to take the bad news to the participants that have already registered but it is also a big disappointment for the people that have worked very hard to realise them. Hopefully things will be better next summer.

On Saturday evening the Fimcap presidium took the opportunity to officially talk with Juraj and the chairperson of Erko, Marian Caucik. This talk was very productive. We talked about mutual expectations and the views we have about each other. It was a very open and honest conversation and it made many things clear. We definitely managed to get a better understanding of each other.

Next BM will be just before the GA in Barcelona . We hope that everybody will be present there.

Corno de Mol and Doris Renggli
President and Vice-president Fimcap Europe

Deadline for the September 2004 Link edition: 20 August 2004
Please send your articles to carmecarrion@bsab.com. Thank you.

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