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LinkThis is the on-line version of Link, the bimonthly newsletter of Fimcap. Edition February 2005
General InformationCalendar [top]
Assembly of the European Youth Forum [top]The European Youth forum is the European platform for the international non governmental organisations and the National youth Councils. This forum works together with other European and international bodies. The European Youth Forum's aims are to work and to empower the youth participation within the European society and at the local level. The General Assembly of the European Youth Forum took place 11 to 13 November 2004. During this G.A. we approved the work plan for the next period; we fixed the political priorities and elected the new presidium and the executive board members. The new president elected is Renaldas Vaisbrodas from Lithuania. Fimcap has been represented by Bjarke Petersen and Albeiro Vásquez. We had many contacts with some international catholic organisations and also with some other religious organisations as well as non religious. We had contacts with some delegates from the national youth councils and the delegates from the Latin America Youth Forum and the African too. During our meeting many important people came to address the EYF like:
We were also hosted by the Spanish Prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; during this visit Albeiro had the occasion had the opportunity to show him what Fimcap is about and what kind of work we are doing in Catalonia, Europe and in the wide world. We also shared some points of view about the Spanish realities. Something that Fimcap Europe has to focus on is the new project named "e;The Youth Pact"e; which will be signed soon. I think we should focus more and more on the EYF and try to follow it more in depth. Albeiro Vásquez AfricaKiro Congo celebrated Fimcap Day [top]
Fimcap day was celebrated in Lubumbashi: 40 groups (2300 members) in the local groups. On Saturday the aim of Fimcap Day was explained and the youngsters discovered Fimcap organisations through the gale. The national secretary of Kiro, accompanied by the diocesan and deanery chiefs of Lubumbashi went too the different places to encourage the members. On Sunday there were two special events: The mass in the morning where the young people gave the promise and the evaluation of the Fimcap day in the afternoon. UNICEF Lubumbashi distributed in the frame of the International Day of the Child and a folder with the convention on the Rights of the Child to all local leaders. Fimcap day celebrations were delayed as the material (the games and the prayer) did not arrived in time (difficulties with communication) The Kiro secretariat also distributed 50 cassettes of the Fimcap Song and 25 Fimcap flags within all dioceses. For us it was a little bit difficult to join Fimcap day celebration with the Christ King celebration. Also the big territory is a problem for the expedition of material inside the country. There were communication difficulties with some dioceses and we had rainy weather in Lubumbashi. However we would like to encourage the initiative of the Fimcap Day and it is important for Kiro Congo members to belong to a big international family and this is one of the most positive aspects of this day. César Bamwepela Latin AmericaPorto Alegre [top]What is the World Social Forum?The FSM is a forum with a democratic exchange of ideas and profound reflection in order to formulate proposals, to share experiences and articulate social movements, networks, NGO's and other organisations of society that are opposed to neo-liberalism and to the control of the world by capitalism and by any form of imperialism. This forum wants to build a world society that focuses on the human being. The FSM proposes alternatives to build a supportive globalisation, with respect for the universal human rights, as well as for all citizens in all the nations and regions, supporting systems and democratic international institutions towards social justice, equality and sovereignty of peoples. The two first meetings of the World Social Forum were in Porto Alegre (RS-BRAZIL), at the same time of the World Economic Forum in Davos. To strengthen an international coalition of most different movements and social organisations respecting differences, autonomy of ideas and ways of action, the FSM stopped being the only forum fighting against the neoliberal globalisation and sought the universal level. For this, they have organised Regional Social Forums. The purpose of these events is to deepen the debate on specific questions and prioritise whilst being supervised by the International Counsel of the FSM ??? their instance of political decision. All the forums should respect the Chart of Principles of the FSM. Fimcap participated actively at the World Social Forum in January 2003, and this year, again our organisation will take part. We expect to be bringing a real contribution. Jaime Muñoz M. AsiaSri Lanka [top]This happened on the 26th of December 2004.Tsunami shocked the whole country. It was the first ever experience we ever had. History says during the time of a king about 3000 year ago there had been a Tsunami!! As per official records 31000 + dead bodies were found and buried. Among them more were women and children. Thousands are missing. By now we can come to the conclusion that they are dead. More than 100,000 people injured and millions are homeless. The force of the Tsunami is unbelievable. From the time of the Tsunami our Organisation has been down on the streets, camps, hospitals attending on the victims. I took a week leave and worked to my maximum. We visited the camps speaking to the people, consoling them etc., their eyes spoke of the shock and despair. We declared 2 days for collecting. Every member was invited to go from house to house with a till and a letter from FR. Oscar introducing ourselves. We collected cloths, food and all the tills were filled. Every thing we collected was distributed. We bought milkpowder for the kids and feeding bottles worth LKR 75,000.00 and distributed them in the most desperate camps. This type of work is still going on. Our youth together with the elders did some 'clean ups'. We cleaned the churches, schools, houses etc.; we did not limit this to Catholics. We expanded our hearts and stretched our hands out and gave help where it was most wanted. It is difficult to understand God's hand, none of our members were taken by the sea. However, some houses were damaged. Books - clothes missing etc. We have vouched to them that we will take care of them. We formed a small committee to specially take care of our members. Please refer to our web site. www.kithudanapubuduwa.net. Look up Tsunami. We have invited our friends living abroad to assist us and if anyone was willing to contribute to do so we gave our account number because so many were enquiring to help. Our immediate plan now is to put up temporary places for victims. It is not proper that they live in camps for a long time. The government is planning to build houses. We have selected one of the most neglected villages in the Northern Province where Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese live. We have already started to put cadjan huts. This is a temporary measure. In addition we have cleaned up the wells. Most of the people live in the coastal area are the fisher folk. So they are poor. They generally use well water for drinking and washing. The people were so grateful for this. We were so happy after the job was done (anyway this is a long long process) we hope to put some of our pictures on our web site soon. If any one may wish to contribute towards this cause you may please direct them through our web site and you can be assured that every cent will be used with respect and for the cause. I shall write to you again. With Love and Prayers, Ranjana EuropeRanfttreffen 2004 [top]
Besides this, the youth could join contemplative workshops as Yoga, Meditation and Space Church; or more active things like climbing a wall, folk dances or playing the djembe etc. Many used the time indoors to just warm up from the cold night. After these activities, the participants walked down the Ranft valley, where at 3 a.m. a service took place. The highlight of the whole event was, when all the 2500 participants lit their Ranfttreffen-candle. And as if it was a sign, it started to snow heavily. The chaplain of Jungwacht and the chaplain of the catholic scouts held the word service and asked the youth to be aware of their limits and of the consequences, if they exceeded them. The international committee of Blauring & Jungwacht was very happy to welcome six participants from Chiro Belgium. It has become a tradition, that Chiro visits us for the Ranfttreffen and again this year, a delegation found its way to Switzerland. Franziska Jäggi Ten years of the solidarity action [top]
Helping hand for children"Nor cold or freeze prevented from spreading the Good News. It was the feeling that we were helping poor children that warmed us up," wrote Slovak carol singers who had decided to raise a helping hand for their friends in Africa. Christmas carol singing is in Slovakia a long tradition, but there was a lack of interest in these last years. The tradition has been renewed in 1995 by eRko, when following the example of Austrian Dreikönigsaktion, eRko decided to organize a Christmas carol singing action with a new dimension - support for development projects in African countries. Nine years, nine countriesKenya, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Mali, Zambia and Madagascar - these are the countries, which became closer to eRko carol singers and to the donators. More than 1,600 000 Euro were given from Dobrá novina to more than 80 development projects concerning schools, health care, street children, drinking water delivering or agriculture. Education
Wishes to Dobra novina
Martina Grochalova and Juraj Kralik International conference for WYD [top]
The aim for the preparation conference in Cologne was to give the opportunity to delegates from the different dioceses from all over the world to get together in Germany and become informed about the preparations which are going on for World Youth days. Most of all, the aim was to instil the spirit of world youth day in the delegates and encourage them to make the contacts necessary to be able to motivate young people from their own countries to participate. Thus, a symbolic event was, when all the countries present put some soil from their own country in the field where the final mass will be celebrated. During this conference the official world youth day song for this year was launched "e;Venimus Adorare Eum"e;. Why did the three kings leave their lands in search for Jesus? Why did the shepherds leave their sheep and responded to the words of the Angel? Why will so many young people get together in Cologne this summer to hear the Pope's message? The answers to these questions are found in the song "e;Venimus Adorare Eum ??? Emanuel"e;. Listen to it, read its lyrics and see if you can find the answers. As a matter of fact Fimcap was also present for this conference together with KJG and ZAK who happened to be representing the diocese of . In fact there is also a lot of effort both from Fimcap's and KJG's side to prepare for the Fimcap evening. So one last thing that I have to say is that a lot of work is being done for the Fimcap youth festival. Do your best - be there!!!!!!! Renard Attard |
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Kiro Congo celebrated the first Fimcap Day on 20 - 21 November 2004. It was on the same day of King Christ celebration which is the biggest Kiro feast. On that day Kiro members aged 14-16 give their official promise that they will serve Christ.
The Ranfttreffen is the biggest ecclesiastical youth event in the German speaking part of Switzerland and takes place every year the weekend before Christmas. The participants encountered thousands of candles, torches and shining faces in the night from the 18th to the 19th of December 2004 when they discussed this year's subject of "e;no limits?"e; In the ???90 it was "e;cool"e; and "e;in"e; to have no limits and to reach or exceed any limit. At this year's Ranfttreffen, the youngsters concerned themselves with less cool limits as contraceptives and addiction. As addiction of drugs is a growing problem with youth, it was a central point in the group discussions as well as the subject of contraceptives and abortion and the attitude of the Catholic Church concerning these subjects. The youth bishop was present and joined a group to inform himself with the views and the attitude of today's youngsters.
At the beginning, there were 3000 children and youngsters involved all over Slovakia, the number has raised up to 25 000 after nine years. This year Christmas carol singing action Dobrá novina, organised by eRko celebrates its 10th anniversary. It has gained hearts of many people (not only believers) by its simplicity and frankness.
Dobrá novina tries to reach particular people and build a partnership with them. The formation is therefore highly important. Children get to know supported countries and projects during their regular eRko meetings, the adults learn about African realities from materials published by eRko, the public learns from media and some happenings organised voluntary by eRko members. The Dobrá novina theme for this anniversary year is education as a chance for the future.
Between the 6th and the 9th of January 2005 the third international conference regarding preparation for XX WYD 2005 was held in Cologne Germany.