|
Where catholic youth meet... |
|
|
|
| [home] [about] [activities] [link magazine] [download] [www links] [members only] | |
LinkThis is the on-line version of Link, the bimonthly newsletter of Fimcap. Edition June 2005
General InformationCalendar [top]
InterContinental Bureau [top]Fimcap had an intercontinental bureau meeting between the 9 -10 April. This meeting took place in Antwerp, at the Fimcap secretariat. All ICB-members, 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 Tine Cornillie (Secretary General), were present. The AfroCONFerence will take place in Burundi, Bujumbura, from 10-14 December. The different African member organisations will work together on the topic "Taking care of the environment in Africa" which henceforth will protect the future for children and youth. Next to this theme, there will be a statutory part in which a new presidium will be elected and the possibility to restructure Fimcap Africa will be discussed. The EuroCONFerence will take place in Slovakia, Bratislava, from 17-20 November. Next to the statutory part in which a new presidium will also be elected and past activities evaluated and adapted, there will also be some study sessions with the theme "Communication within and outside Fimcap". Tine Cornillie Official visit to the Vatican [top]
Following the recommendations of the working group on the status of Fimcap during the last General Assembly held in Barcelona, it was decided to let the presidium together with Olivier, (the former president of Fimcap), who is a member of the Co-ordination Committee within ICO's Conference on behalf of Fimcap, to work on the Fimcap statute according to the new Canonical Code. After the General Assembly we have met a few times and have asked some people who are specialists in this issue, like the archbishop of Barcelona Monsignor Luis Martinez Sitach for advice. During the last visit to the CCPL it was decided that one of the goals was to start the discussion on the revision of the Statute. We met Madame Lucien Sallé (she has been the person in charge for the ICO's from the CCPL for these last years and is now finishing her work in this dicastery, in fact we want to thank her for her dedication and her interest in our organisation) and Monsignor Miguel Delgado (expertise in the Canon Low). We have presented to them the first version of our Statute; they have made some suggestions such as the inclusion of the history of our organisation. Now we have to make some other changes and we will send them to all Fimcap member organisations through the continental conferences to start discussing amendments. The meeting was very friendly and very encouraging. On Friday afternoon we went to meet Monsignor Mathias Turkos from the Council of the Christian Unity. He was so happy to hear about the ecumenical and inter-religious work that Fimcap is doing. He also suggested that we should keep in touch, and he offered all kinds of support to put our work further; at the same time he showed us the work of the Council for Christian unity and inter religious dialogue as well as the book they are going to produce about ecumenical celebrations, prayers' as a guide to all Catholics. During the meeting with the Secretariat of State, we met Monsignor Paholin, Mgr. Gabriel Caccia and Madame Fermina Alvarez (for all of us it was our first meeting). The meeting started with a presentation regarding each of us and was followed by a discussion about Fimcap activities, especially concerning the social life. They were very happy to know more about Fimcap and suggested that we should have more regular meetings and contacts with them and also with the people in charge of the Vatican regarding international bodies. Alveiro Vasquez God is back... [top]
In 2003 a working group was meeting every month to seek and discuss issues and areas of dialogue among the three main religions. At that time FIMCAP was also involved through Fr Wim. Eventually it was proposed that a proper seminar be organised to establish a concrete presence through participation and action. The meeting in Poland was therefore a unique experience to meet and exchange with other young people actively involved in faith-based youth work. One can say that many youth organisations are working to promote dialogue and human rights. However these are generally not inspired by a religious concern. At a time when secularism is the accepted way of life, in Europe as in many other parts of the world, people are afraid that religion and God will return and remove their freedom and liberty. It is therefore a priority to show that European identity is compatible with a religious identity and that it is possible in Europe today for different faiths to work together from inside their respective religious identities. This basically was the motivation behind the Faith-based NGO which was established during the seminar, and which was christened "Abraham's Children". The role of the group was then discussed and clarified during the seminar, namely:
Whereas religious diversity, much as diversity in general, may be feared as causing tension and fragmentation, in the seminar we experienced something quite different. The whole point was to become familiar with one another as individuals who value their religious identity while, at the same time, wanting to go beyond prejudice and first impressions and learn about other religious experiences. We were introduced to the prayer customs and also the Cuisine of Muslims and Jews so as to feel welcome in others' experience of the sacred. We could discuss, argue and find common ground in the values which we cherish. These shared core values (Justice, Peace, Respect, Equality, Human Dignity) can be a powerful means to achieve unity in diversity. "Abraham's Children" was granted "expert status" on inter-faith dialogue by the European Youth Forum. This adds to the responsibility and the need to continue the work a step further. During the seminar a unified appeal was made at the Youth Summit to reinforce its activity towards greater tolerance and dialogue among the monotheistic religious traditions. The reason why the seminar was held within the time-frame of the European Youth Summit (and the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe) was precisely to make a "wake-up call" to individual Heads of State to recognise the importance of starting and continuing the process of inter-faith dialogue for peace and stability. At the same time a sense of humility was evident throughout the seminar. We were much aware that we were not "converting" one another and that there were differences that one could not naïvely or politely ignore. The compromise shown by the participants served to make it more clear that the aim of the seminar was a realistic one. By compromise I do not mean any watering-down of issues of faith but the practical, day-to-day adaptation of the participants. For example although kosher and halal food was supposed to be made available throughout the duration of the seminar, vegetarian food had to be consumed instead. Also some of the Muslims had rigorous times of prayer, waking up at four in the morning! Muslims who were sharing rooms with non-Muslims had to adapt their prayer time. The seminar showed how important spirituality is as the source of identity for many young people. We have to search untiringly for the truth, for an "experience" of God. We have to start from the faith we are in, and to live that faith more deeply. At the same time we have to remain open to the values and elements of truth found in the other faiths, the perspectives of the other religions. Fr Michael Bellizzi Fimcap visits KJG [top]
Another interesting topic was of course the "international committee". I read in the preparatory documents about the decision KJG took at the last "Bundeskonferenz" to focus more on international work and it was good to see nobody expressed doubts about this. They see the WYD's as a chance to strengthen the international co-operation and this should be evaluated afterwards. This also shows the interest of people and the importance they give to the international work. What I liked about the meeting was the very positive atmosphere. People were not complaining and commenting the ideas without giving alternatives or mentioning the good parts. I also got a lot of positive reactions on the presence of Fimcap at the meeting. "it gives Fimcap a face, Fimcap is no longer a word, there are people behind that word". Conclusion: for me it was good to be there to know KJG better and for KJG to know Fimcap better! Tine Cornillie WYD: The "Bureaucracy" behind [top]
There are nearly 140 full time volunteers who are preparing for WYD. Together with about 70 professionals they are working in offices on four bureau floors within easy reach of the famous cathedral of Cologne. The young people come from 30 nations, such as France, Thailand or Canada and are working in the department of communication, translating internet-articles, taking care of other services on the homepage, organising the accommodation and registering affairs. What they like most about their work and the WYD is the opportunity to meet uncountable young people with different personal and religious backgrounds Halynka from Ukraine speaks fluent German. She is a teacher for German language in Ukraine. Halynka is perfectly prepared for her job in the department of mobility. These workers are co operating with the German police, railway department and local public transport enterprises to make sure of the perfect functioning of all affairs during the seven days in Cologne. Most of the volunteers have been working for about half a year in the office, some a little bit more and some a little less. Quite a number of people have been mobilised for the event in August. Anyway, for the busy week in August more volunteers are needed. "We already have more than 20 000 volunteers who are willing to help us during the WYD", Christoph Wild explains. He is the responsible co-ordinator for the department of "volunteers". Of course, the people in Cologne were very sad when they heard about the old Pope's death. But now, after some weeks of grief and open questions, everybody is curious to get to know the new Pope. The enthusiasm and nervousness is felt in every floor of the offices, in every picture on the wall and every rosary attached to the computer-screens. "It's such a great feeling to see all those papers become real people". Christina Feldhoff and Johanna Elsässer AfricaGhana CYO [top]
We are now working on the cracked walls with the little money we still have. What is still needed is the general rewiring of the whole building and plumbing works to get a continuous flow of electricity and water. Thus a little more support in this regard will be very much appreciated.
National JamboreeCYO Ghana organises a national Jamboree from 19 to 29 August in Accra to bring together CYO members of the various sections from all 18 dioceses, each with about 120 members. This will bring together 2000 members in addition to about 100 officials for a period of five full days. The participants will engage themselves in sports competitions, games, a variety of fun activities, singing and quizzes, a prayer rally and a Eucharistic celebration. These will be interlinked with talks and discussions on topics such as HIV/AIDS, career counselling, peer animation, evangelisation, etc. The national secretariat of CYO Ghana takes care of the organisational aspects of the programme and invites speakers. The Jamboree will provide the spirit of solidarity with all Catholic youth who will be at the 20th World Youth Day Celebration in Cologne. A national management Council Meeting to ensure the implementation of the year's programme and the growth of the organisation will precede the Jamboree M.V. Quaye-Foli Kiro Congo News [top]Kiro Congo has been chosen by Fimcap to organise the World Camp 2006. 60 to 70 people from Fimcap organisations all over the world will participate. A Fimcap delegation, Father ALVEIRO VASQUEZ, CARME CARRION I RIBAS and TINE CORNILIE respectively the international chaplain, the President and Fimcap General Secretary will arrive on July 20 to prepare the World Camp with the national secretariat of Kiro Congo. More details will follow. The National Kiro Congo Camp 2005 will take place in Kamina (Lycée Mahidiyo) from 10 to 15 July 2005. All group leaders are invited. This is the second national Camp since 1970 when the first national Camp was organised in Kananga. Some Delegates of Fimcap organisations and the Fimcap General Secretary will participate. More news will follow. Emilie Deblock from Chiro Flanders is in Lubumbashi since 20 March 2005 in order to do some scientific research on Kiro Congo and to present this in her final University work. She already made lots of contacts with Kiro groups of Lubumbashi. Apart from her scientific work, she is also working at the national Kiro office and visited groups in Kamina, Mwene Ditu and Mbuji Mayi together with the national chief Didier Tshikung. Excerpts from Flamme no4 2004-2005 EuropeLeaders' Exchange [top]Many times during Fimcap Europe Bureau meetings there are discussions about leaders' exchanges or sometimes delegates invite leaders from other organisations to join them on a national event. Here are some experiences: Summer camp I
Eveline Summer camp II
Mirjam Better water - better life [top]
I have to say, I was very happy, I could stay one week among the nice people. I was included into ZAK's preparation team and I was in charge of some parts of the programme like energisers, the drama workshop and games. However the greatest experience for me, was the feeling, I felt I was really half Maltese especially during a very sad moment when we heard that Pope John Paul II was dead. I could speak and share my feelings with friends, who seemed like my family to me. After some time, I tried to use my poor, but from time to time also pure Maltese language. Moreover I started to use Maltese accent, when I spoke well-known Maltese English :-) The atmosphere in the team reminded me very much of eRko and I found no problem to become part of the running project. Besides the very positive feelings, I also took home precious experiences. Some were connected to the topic, which was water and which were the visit to a water plant, the presentation about saving energy, the research about use of water in Malta... However I appreciated more the practical experiences like, how to build the team, how to deal with intercultural issues and all the small things, which are not written in the books. I think, I have also built up courage to do a youth exchange in eRko and deepen the relationships with Maltese friends. That was, what I had expected from the invitation and it became a reality. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Juraj Easter Course - Transylvania, Romania [top]50 people from 9 countries (Transylvania [Romania], Hungary, UK, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine - and Malta!): That is what the Easter Course was made up of - and of course a lot of energy and sharing. This was what made up one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. Easter Course is an activity organised each year by the European Fellowship, of which Fimcap is a sister organisation. This year, it was my turn to go, together with Stephen from ZAK Malta. Easter Course this year was held in Transylvania, Romania. This meant a lot of travelling, since we arrived at Budapest airport, and had to cross over to Romania, going there by train, and coming back by coach. It meant 6 hours going and 9 hours travelling back, after a plane ride! Not something we're used to, when we consider 1 hour a long distance here in Malta! However, now I'm sure that I will manage to get anywhere I want to go to; if I managed to buy a train ticket from Budapest to Romania (mind you - the first time I got on a train on my own!), where no one knew how to speak English and managed to arrive at the correct station, I think I'll manage anywhere else! However - it was worth it! The theme of the course was "Let's Talk" - let's talk about our diversities, coming from different countries, each with different ideas and values. The different ideas need not mean however that we do not agree - it just means that we are coming from a different background. The different workshops we had helped to highlight these differences in a positive way, as a starting point for discussions. I came to realise that what might not be a priority to me [e.g.] democracy, as I take it for granted, is of a much higher priority to the Ukrainians, who have just had a revolution fighting for democracy. I also enjoyed the lighter activities, like the outdoor games the Ukrainians did. Another thing I really appreciated was the fact that we weren't all Catholics (only the two Maltese and the two Hungarians were). The others were all Christians, but of other denominations. Living in Catholic Malta, I rarely used to think about these other denominations - being Catholic is nearly taken for granted here. Being there amongst the other denominations made me think more about my own religion, and really came to appreciate it. This was done more so during the daily prayers, which were done each day by a different country. I really enjoyed the week I spent in Transylvania. I got to spend a week with different people with whom I got to talk about everything and anything. I also had the time to really think about what my priorities are, and what I really believe in. Thanks everyone for the great experience! I'll do it again in the blink of an eye! Ann Fenech EuroForum 2005 [top]the Belgian experience
There is a long way to go! As time passed, we started thinking out loud about the Euroforum. We asked ourselves what was done during the last ones. We started to look for a strong theme. This year the theme of the European Council was "Intercultural dialogue in a multicultural society" and we thought we could do a lot with it. Since we are Chiro, every activity has to be some kind of game, a role game, an active game or a "discussing" game. Therefore we collected a lot of ideas and chose the best of them. The trip to Antwerp to meet different intercultural organisations was hard to organise, but we thought that it would be great and so it was!! There is a lot of work! One moment, you notice that organising takes more time than foreseen. However when you work with an amazing team of 14 leaders, it gets you motivated again. You find new energy to go on for 8 weeks of intense organisation and the rest of the work goes like clockwork, because you know your key stone - the team of leaders on which the Euroforum is based on will make it happen!! There are so many things you get back! Suddenly the time arrived and one by one, or country by country, people came walking in. And from that moment on, we were enjoying everything that happened. Playing, singing, laughing... the smallest things were like extreme shows which crossed the floor. When you look at it afterwards, you realise that it was an unbelievable group. It is amazing how so many "strangers" can have so much fun and so much respect for each other. There are so many to thank! Before you know it, the Euroforum is finished. And then you realise that there were so many things to be thankful to. We would like to say thanks to all the participants and the entire leaders' team, because you made this Euroforum unforgettable.Nele, Babs, Ward, Dirk, Wim en Bart. a Swiss account
In the following four days, during the games and discussions about "intercultural dialogue in a multicultural society" (which was the theme), we got to know each other quite fast. We were hosted in a big house with a lot of forest and green fields around. The place was just perfect. Although the weather was not the best, we managed to go outside when it was sunny, to experience some of the famous Chiro games. We had a very enthusiastic and motivated leading team that was very well organised. Even tough it is my 5th Euroforum, it is always a great experience to see how fast all these people from different countries and cultures get to know each other, can communicate although they don't speak the same language and become friends. I'd like to thank the people from Chiro for the hard work and their efforts to make this Euroforum an unforgettable event! Franziska Jäggi |
| [home] [about] [activities] [link magazine] [download] [www links] [members only] |
Copyright © 2000-, Fimcap | All Rights Reserved |
1620KB
From 28th April to 2nd of May, the intercontinental presidium met in Rome to make official visits to the Council of Laity (CCPL), the Council for the Christian Unity and the first and the second sections of the Secretariat of State.
Probably many of you are asking yourself: Why does Fimcap has such visits? Are these visits important for us? Fimcap as an International Catholic Organisation should meet every three years with the most important dicasteries in the Roman Curia, regarding our catholic action in order to show them what we lay Catholics are doing and to exchange all kind of important information from both sides.
...And we said it out loud with our participation in a contact-making seminar held in Warsaw, Poland, from 13 to 16 May 2005. The meeting was entitled "Jumah, Shabbat, Sunday", the name of the days of prayer of the three "Abrahamic" religions. Seven umbrella organisations, which operate closely with the European Youth Forum, were invited to attend: EUJS (European Union of Jewish Students), EYCE (Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe), Femyso (Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations), FIMCAP (International Federation of Catholic Youth Movements), JECI-MIEC (International Young Catholic Students-International Movement of Catholic Students), Pax Christi International and the WSCF (World Student Christian Federation). Fimcap was represented by Fr Alvi (Spain), Tine (Belgium) and Fr Michael (Malta).
From 17 till 22 May, KJG held its national meeting called "Bundeskonferenz". They invited Fimcap to attend this meeting and I went to represent Fimcap in Altenberg, as the only "outsider" between 160 enthusiastic KJG people. Fortunately, I didn't feel like an outsider for a long time because the German hospitality makes you to feel at home immediately!
The first presentation I followed was the one on the WYD. I got the "première" of the song created for "Feel the spirit" and saw the nice T-shirts designed for this event. Every time the WYD event on "Feel the spirit" is presented, I'm always impressed by the dimensions of the whole event. KJG did an excellent job, together with the Fimcap working group and I really want to thank them for their work. I guess the best way to express our gratefulness is that all of us go and visit "feel the spirit" during the WYD to have lots of people all the time!
Currently, about 400 000 young people are expected to come to Cologne on the 13th of August to celebrate the XXth World Youth Days. This mega-event requires great organisational and logistic resources. Here is a report from the WYD-office in Cologne,
where the two main responsible persons are Father Ulrich Hennes and Father Georg Austen.
After a whole year and before the rain starts again we have been able to re-roof the Ghana CYO Centre which has been ripped off, mainly with the support of Chiro Belgium and other friends from Switzerland, a few local people and some CYO members.
By doing this, we have been able to save the building from further decline. However not all is fully ready for use in order to enable us carry on with the work of the organisation.
Enclosed is a picture of the building showing the re-roofing with some pipe pillars to support it which hopefully would avoid the roof from being ripped off again now that we are getting into the raining season and another picture of the car from MIVA Austria.
May be you know, may be not, that ZAK Malta and eRko Slovakia have started to build a closer relationship. We had a feasibility visit in December 2004 in Bratislava (Slovakia) and from 28.3. to 3.4. 2005 I was given a chance to stay in Malta to learn more about ZAK and its youthwork. I participated on ZAK's project Better Water Better Life, which they had together with youth groups from England, Holland and Turkey, These youth groups are not part of Fimcap.
It is a great challenge! At a moment of temporary insanity we decided that Chiro would organise the Euroforum 2005 and from that moment although we still had one and a half years to go, our minds started to produce some flashes about what we could offer during those four days. In our minds, we contacted a lot of people and hoped that everyone would be very enthusiastic to co-operate. We knew that a lot of participants from all over Europe were going to join us to have the best days of their life. What a dream!
The Euroforum hosted by Chiro took place 4-8 May in Westmalle, Belgium. We arrived late on Wednesday evening after a long journey by train. We were welcomed by about 70 other people from all over Europe (Germany, Austria, France, Catalonia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Malta and Lithuania).