14th IYCS WORLD COUNCIL
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL, NEW DELHI FROM 15 to 26 June 2011
Theme: ‘Conflicts and Crisis in the World, Students Offering Hope!’
An encounter of 150 grass-roots student leaders and Animators from 80 countries for formation of Training of Trainers (ToT) and action planning in mobilizing students for leadership in good governance, social justice, global solidarity and Peace rooted in the Gospel.
Introduction: In an increasingly individualistic world, there is a real need to provide a space for young people to exchange, to share and to learn from experiences, as well as to build and to strengthen solidarity. Young people continue to be deeply affected by conflicts and or crises in the world, while social justice, peace, fundamental freedom, and good governance often remain unrealized.
Since its beginning, the YCS has created a place for young people to reflect and act together through social, moral and spiritual values in bringing changes for the well-being of humanity. Through its network of more than 3 million students (both from secondary and university) around the world, IYCS can implement its actions and reach significant, tangible, and widespread results.
With the current global realities of the world that affect both developed or under-developed countries, and, in particular, the poorest and marginalized populations, there is an urgent need, and will, to gather representatives of all national movements in order to reflect on and evaluate past actions, and especially to define new strategies of action for students and young people in general.
In response to the global conflicts and crises that affect different societies, the International YCS, with the support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India through YCS India and the IYCS Asian Secretariat, and YCS former members have committed themselves to organize a Global Formation Session and World Council in New Delhi, India from 15 to 26 June 2011. This will give a space to students and their advisors/animators to reflect on Christian leadership and on students’ responsibilities as present and future actors in society.
Since the last 13th IYCS Global Formation Session and World Council in 2007, training sessions and actions are being conducted on different issues according to the needs in respective local areas. Climate Change and Environment, poverty, conflicts, peace and quality education are the main themes being covered.
The IYCS Global Campaign: “Fight Poverty–Build Peace” allowed the movement to involve its members in the promotion of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The focus of the Pope’s message of Peace on the 1st January 2009 has increased the conviction of all YCS members that the task to which they have committed themselves is a concrete response that the world needs today.
In line with the collegiality constituted by the new IYCS statutes, there was a process of consultation with all the national movements and other structural bodies of IYCS. The WCOT convened for the first time in Lebanon in September 2009 and chose the following theme for the next Global Formation Session and World Council of 2011: “Conflicts and Crisis in the World, Students Offering Hope”
Why a global gathering for students?
The reality today is that the world is interconnected. Thus, the problems lived by people in any corner of the world affects, directly or indirectly, the whole world. The global crisis confronting the world since 2008 is an example. The need for global mobilization to address global and local challenges has become quite urgent. As citizens of the present and leaders of the future, students have a role to contribute, at all levels, to the search for solutions in the current crisis and to be well prepared for their future responsibilities. That is why there is a need to build a global consciousness while, at same time, to respond locally.
For IYCS, this global gathering will facilitate not only the construction of a global solidarity among young people, but also their leadership for the future good governance of our societies. It will also encourage them to exchange their local experiences, to better understand the process and implications of globalization in the world, and, most especially will inspire them to respond with Christian values.
The previous World Council, held in Uganda, demonstrated the need for young people around the world to have an opportunity and space to deepen their understanding of contemporary global issues so that they can promote international solidarity, actively participate in societal change and assume responsibility for vital action in society. For example, we can cite the following actions that flowed from the last World Council gathering:
KSJ (YCS movement in Germany) launched, in 2007, a campaign to support education in some countries of Africa (some German students visited Kenya in 2009, in conjunction with this campaign, DRC, Sudan and Ivory Coast).
The climate change and environmental protection initiatives launched by the International Secretariat enjoyed a good response from YCS groups of Fiji, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Kenya and Australia to name a few. The IYCS Asian Coordination launched their 3-year campaign called ‘Vote for Mother Earth’. Those actions found the involvement of students in the protection of environment by planting trees, or cleaning public areas.
The call for solidarity action initiated by the international Secretariat to help student victims of the violence after the presidential election in Kenya in 2008 attracted good participation from national movements and members (from Africa, Australia, Asia countries, Europe) through various contributions (financial or solidarity message, memorandum) to help students that were victims.
At the organizational level, the new IYCS statutes, discussed and approved by delegates presented during the World Council, while requiring better understanding and implementation by all members, promises to strengthen the whole IYCS through a collegial process of decision making and actions.
Year 2011 marks also the 65th anniversary of the International Coordination of YCS. Thus the World Council presents an opportunity for members to reflect on and design new strategies concerning its engagement in and response to the changing world.
On the theme: ‘Conflicts and Crisis in the World, Students Offering Hope’
Conflicts and Crisis in the World: In the UN Millennium Declaration of September 2000, leaders from 189 nations embraced a vision for the world in which developed and developing countries would work in partnership for the betterment of all. To provide a framework by which progress could be measured, the Declaration was broken down into eight Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), 18 targets and 48 indicators. In 2007, this monitoring framework was revised to include four new targets, agreed to by member states at the 2005 World Summit. Since 2005, IYCS fully committed with its member into actions to build awareness to young people about those realities that need to be improved in various societies in the world.
The multiplicity of conflicts and crises in the world especially the global economic crisis, call into question the quality of governance in the world and in various societies. Students and young people are very much affected by all the global or regional instability. Wars and conflicts produce refugee flows and other displacement of peoples including many young people. In many civil conflicts and wars, especially in Africa, there is forced conscription of youth populations.
The world continues to face many other crises, including climate change, the education crisis (in terms of quality and policies of formal education programs), HIV/AIDS, and poverty. All these crises exert much negative impact on the daily life of students as well as the whole societies.
Conflicts and crisis often are inter-linked. In its September 2009 report concerning fragile and post-conflict countries, the World Bank stated that “in many countries, fragility and conflict go hand-in-hand, reinforcing each other. Stepping out of this “conflict trap” remains an elusive goal for many post-conflict-countries: an estimated 40 percent relapse into conflict within 10 years. ”
The governance of the world must be re-visioned. Many current conflicts and crises result from injustices in political, economic, and social systems. “For some time now, even a casual observer would have to be concerned about increasingly broad‐based imprudent or indeed immoral behavior in the economic life of our society. While the increased incidence of this poor behavior has been disappointing those of us who are troubled by it has taken solace in the fact that the free-market is pretty efficient at recognizing mistakes in judgment or dishonest behavior”. This calls for moral values in governance as the key to solving social problems.
During the past fifteen years, the UN and other institutions - including NGOs – have been much more focused than ever on conflict prevention and management. There has been an increased willingness to challenge the ‘culture of impunity’ through new international criminal courts and transitional justice mechanisms like truth commissions; and much greater interest by aid agencies in development policies that address the root causes of political violence. All such efforts can result in positive differences on the global scene.
Students Offering Hope: While living with all these crises and conflicts in the world, students want to develop and retain a positive vision for the earth. The gap between the rhetoric of political leaders and the realities lived by people today has given rise to the call by young people, especially students, to develop new leadership and governance skills that promote justice, freedom, global solidarity and social development as is required by the whole of humanity. We might recall the strong role played by students and young people at the end of 80’s to bring democracy and freedom around the world (the fall of the Berlin wall, democracy in Eastern Europe, Africa, popular movements in Asia and Latin America).
To reach such accomplishments, the contribution of students at both local and global levels, and, by extension, of all those who support them, is absolutely vital. Of course, there are many different kinds of actions to be taken, under different circumstances, in order to promote positive changes to bring about peace, justice, democracy, and to resolve environmental challenges as well as economical and social crises.
There is a need to engage the political will to react quickly. With conflicts and/or crisis prevention and resolution, the “bottom line” is that relevant decision makers, at the national or international levels, must want change and act in order to bring about change. Both political will and skills-building are required and must aim to promote competency, responsibilities, good arguments, leadership mobilization, international campaigns, and good and right decision-making for both the present and the future. The training of the youth to acquire these qualities is essential for the future of society and humanity.
Students with 21st century Skills: IYCS as a “school of life”, through non-formal education, develops the skills of students for both their life and their career in learning, innovation, and leadership. IYCS has formed many key leaders who have served their respective societies (e.g of Rene Remond of France) and who remain in leadership roles at various levels (e.g of Cherie Blair and Pascal Lamy). When encountering the challenges facing the world, students have to be mobilized in fulfilling their citizenship responsibilities and turn the attention of policy-makers to such social issues and crises. These initiatives must be promoted and put into action through advocacy.
Why in India : India, as a country is known of its huge and diversity. A country with 29 states, a second largest population after China, a very rich cultural heritage, birth and presence of many religions in the world is undoubtedly a good place for an international educational exchange of students.
The long history of conflict between neighbors and terrorist attacks and other internal conflicts are some of the current incidents that would allow student participants to understand deeper the theme of the session. On environment issues, certain states like Bihar, Orissa and other northern areas have been experiencing floods. Major environmental issues include Forest and Agricultural land degradation, Resource depletion (water, mineral, forest, sand, rocks etc.,), Environmental degradation, Public Health, Loss of Biodiversity, Loss of resilience in ecosystems and Livelihood Security for the Poor and etc.
Despite of the hit of the global economic crisis, it is interesting to know that India is one of the fastest growing economies. India, an emerging economy, has witnessed unprecedented levels of economic expansion, along with countries like China, Russia, Mexico and Brazil.
Further, the student movement and mobilization has been noted to be very dynamic and active. Today, India is one of the strongest and largest memberships of Catholic Action movements in Asia. YCS/YSM India, as the host of the World Council has its history way back in early 1960’s which played a great role also in the creation of the regional office of YCS Asia. The vast membership from 13 regions with a national office at Chennai coordinating the life of the movement has a lot to offer and share to other YCSers around the world. The movement has been working on the theme, ‘Empowering relationships for sustainable justice and peace’ and recently has approved another theme to work in the coming 3 years, which is ‘Responding to God’s call to be simple, sincere and sensitive persons, to envision and build a green and harmonious world’.
It’s noteworthy to mention influential personalities that gave hope to the world came from India: Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Swami Vivekananda - Champion of humanitarianism; and many Nobel laureates who can be taken as references and inspiration for students and for young people in general in their action to offer hope in their societies. As the slogan tourism of India says, ‘Incredible India’… indeed, it’s a place to discover, learn and experience.
Objectives and expected outcome: Empowers IYCS Students’ advocacy and leadership skills, Creates a pool of student trainers, Develops the expertise of IYCS in empowering a culture of peace and good governance. Provides a space for 150 participants from over 80 countries (IYCS member movements) for social reflection in line with Christian faith and philosophy, Evaluates actions and campaigns of the movements during the past four years and develop concrete plans and follow-up for the next four years, Develops a new vision, strategies and orientations for IYCS relevant to evolving global realities, Empowers the advocacy skills of students from different regions of the world.
Expected Outcome: At the completion of the World Council, 150 committed student leaders, animators and chaplains from over 80 countries will gain a greater global consciousness, enhanced advocacy skills and a better understanding of the place of moral values in leadership and decision-making. At least 90% of participants have a deeper awareness particularly of the necessity for eradicating poverty and building peace, and a greater confidence in transmitting this awareness to their national and regional members. 100% of participants will gain a greater global consciousness that enable them to develop strategies to advocate good governance for the protection and service of all people at the local, national, and regional levels. 90% of participants will be prepared for and will organize at least four study sessions on one of the four study areas of conflict and crisis in their country for an average of 200 students and 50 animators each year for the next four years. 75% of participants will participate in one international campaign each year for the next four years.
It also aims at Stronger global presence of IYCS with a greater impact in promoting global good governance, justice, and peace, in all global forums of society (World Social Forum (WSF), Youth Networks etc), at UN bodies levels (ECOSOC, UNESCO, Human Right, etc), and the church (Holy See events: World Youth Day (WYD), colloquiums on ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, social justice, strengthening the Holy See missions in UN and UNESCO). A strengthened committed and moral leadership that promotes democratic transparency and good governance at all levels of the IYCS, which will in turn have an impact in the societies where IYCS is present. Strong young lay leaders that will engage with the church through actively participating in the life of their local parish communities, efficient advocacy towards decision-makers through organizing forums, discussions and reflections on global issues and topics such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). A stronger International Catholic Student movement engaged in social action and awareness rising.
Methodology : Basically, the Global Formation Session will be an opportunity for evaluation of past actions and planning for future actions. Thus the whole theme will be divided into two parts during the program.
The first part which will be about “Crisis and Conflicts” will tackle in four thematic areas, including:
a. War, Occupations and Refugees. (Conflicts)
b. Migration, Economic, Health (HIV/AIDS). (Crisis)
c. Climate change and global warming, pollution. (Environmental Crisis)
d. Social, Human Right, Education (Crisis).
The second part will respond to the hope offered by students:
a. Responsibilities of students
b. Students’ empowerment/involvement.
c. Christian Leadership skills
The methodology to fulfill the objectives of this program will be based on the SEE-JUDGE-ACT of IYCS. Activities and Sessions will focus on the realities confronting students and increase their knowledge about the impact and consequences of crisis and conflicts in our world.
Exposures: these will allow participant to touch and to live the reality. They will be oriented to:
- Refugees sites (war, occupation, refugees, migration);
- Slum (social crisis and migration);
- River and Industrial sites (climate change, pollution);
- Schools and Universities (Educational Crisis); the office of UNESCO and NGOs (HIV/AIDS, Education crisis);
- Government Institutions (policies, crisis/conflicts managements);
- Stock Markets and Financial Institutions (Economical Crisis).
Participation and Selection Criteria
The participation will be based on the composition of the movement. Each affiliated movement will be requested three (3) delegates: 2 students (1 from secondary school and 1 from University) and 1 animator/chaplain. Specifically, each should fill the following criteria:
i. Have been involved the movement at least 2 years and have considerable experience in the movement.
ii. Play significant role in the movement, as a student leader
iii. Ability to speak and understand one of the working languages (English, Spanish, French)
iv. Commit to involve/engage with YCS/JEC for 2 years after the program
v. Should be officially delegated through an official letter by the national movement.
Experts
During the gathering IYCS will engage a number of external experts to deepen the formation experience. A central part of the entire gathering will be providing opportunity for the participants, each with their own rich experiences, to share on the theme and the specific issues from their own realities.
To facilitate the learning process, an expert on the theme and the methodology will accompany all through-out the formation/study session. Ms. Florence Elva Ssereo, Ph.D. shall play the significant role of a facilitator. As a former YCS International Team Member from 1986-1991 and is presently working in the UNESCO Headquarter as Program Specialist on Teacher Education Section particularly specializing Culture of Peace and thus we firmly believe she can best facilitate the whole formation session in a more participatory and pedagogical approach.
Special Guests
We are blessed with special guests, including:
- Cardinal Telespore P Toppo, Ranchi for the inaugural Mass.
- Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam former President of India for the inauguration of the formation session and opening of the Global Village exhibition
- Mr. Shashi Taroor, former UNESCO secretary for the Key note address
- Mr. Christy Fernandes IAS, undersecretary to President of India for the concluding and felicitation programme
- Mgr Salvatore Pennacchio, Nuncio of India and East Asia Countries for the concluding Mass
- Ms. Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister and Former YCS member from England for a study session
Preparatory Phase : The preparatory phase started from 2009 with the training session for Middle East students under the theme: “Students: Changing Culture for Lasting Peace” where the first World Council Organizing Committee (WCOT) convened. From this program, the following events will mark the way to the Global formation Session and the World Council:
Global chaplain session at Rome in the year 2010 to empower the accompaniment of Students Leadership skills under the theme “Called to be the Ambassadors of Christ: Students’ Education at the Hour of Inter-cultural and religious Pluralism.” The Global Formation Session and the World Council will be launched during this event, which will be also the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of MSAC (YCS) Italy.
International training program for West Africa and a delegate representative from each region (Asia, Latin America, North America, Europe, Middle East, Pacific) on the theme: “Quality Education for Leadership and Good Governance” from 15th to 25th August 2010 in Burkina Faso.
A global reflection meeting for former member of IYCS at Rome under the theme: ”Which Gospel for which New Global Governance for the 21st century?” by February 2011.
In addition to these major events, the preparation also will include some work with participants six months before the program. Issues related to crisis and conflicts, advocacy, leadership for peace and good governance through moral value shall be integrated in the programming. Formulated action plans will be adopted for each region and national movements. Each national movement will be strongly encouraged to partner with their local justice and Peace commission as one point of their plan of action.
About IYCS: This is an International Young Students Movement started in 1931 by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn in Belgium. It is recognized by French government as an Association under the law 1901. It was created as International Coordination in 1946 having its own advisory board. It has its international office in Paris, France. It has an International Chaplain, three full timers and seven regional coordinators. It has partnership with IMCS Pax Romana and UNESCO. It has a consultative status with ECOSOC (UN) and Operational status with UNESCO.
General objective of the Organization:
IYCS is primarily engaged in student milieu (secondary and tertiary). YCS trains students to be aware of their social responsibilities, to promote solidarity, justice and the global peace through advocacy of students, and gives to the students some educational resources and methodologies in their efforts for reflection and action for a just society.
The International Chaplain : Fr. Paul Tiga from Burkina Faso
The international General secretary : Mr. Eduardo Koutsava from Togo
The program coordinator : Ms. Loucille Alcala from Philippines
The Asian coordinators: Ms. Reyna Clemena from Philippines and Mr. Shehan Coorey from Sri Lanka.
About YCS/YSM India : YCS Movement came to India in 1961 and officially became Indian Movement in 1966. Sr. Jeanne Devos organized the students and made it a National movement. Since then, it has taken deep root in different parts of India. Slowly YCS inspired the students of other faiths and paved the way for the formation of YSM in 1970. The YSM element is a significant and unique contribution of the Indian Movement to International YCS. The aim of YCS/YSM is “A Just Society”
The student members are drawn from the age group of 13 to 18 or in some cases 21 for the college students. The method the members adopt is Awareness - Reflection – Action – Evaluation. It is alive to the student milieu, responding to the reality and needs of the society.
At present, the Movement has more than 204603 students and about 2600 dedicated Animators, youth workers spread out in 13 regions. The Movement has formed active and dynamic church leaders, social workers and liberators who are involved in the process of socio-economic-political-religious welfare of the people all over the country.
YCS/YSM works under the guidance of the CBCI Youth Commission.. It has the National office at Chennai. Wherever the movement existing is under the School head under the school management. In the Parishes it is under the guidance of Parish Priest. But it works in the school sector very well where care is taken not to give it a communal color.
CBCI Youth Commission Chairman : Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal
CBCI Youth Commission secretary : Fr. Alwyn D’Souza from Manglaore
YCS/YSM National Director : Fr. Charles Menezes from Mangalore
YCS/YSM National team - President : Dymphna Joyce John from Kolkata, Secretary : Jovita D’Souza from Mangalore and Treasurer: Cuthbert Sohtun from Shillong.
IYCS WORLD COUNCIL: The journey so far...
1954 : Belgium (First IYCS World council)
1956 : Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Problems of the Student Milieu
1958 : Dakar, Senegal: Problems of the New Nations
1961 : Eicholz, Germany: Student Work
1964 : Broummana, Lebanon: The Students and Society Building
1967 : Montreal, Quebec: Students and Development
1970 : London, UK: Cultural Crisis
1974 : Kadier-en-Keer, Holland: Domination
1978 : Valladolid, Spain: Role of the Students in the transformation of the
Society
1982 : Montreal, Quebec: Students in solidarity with the people towards a
change of the poor
1986 : Louvain, Belgium: New forms of evangelization in the school and
university
1991 : Hong Kong: Why Study? (Does your study serve the people?)
2007 : Uganda: Dialogue, Learn and Live, Student making a Difference
2011 : New Delhi, India: Crisis and Conflicts in the World - Students
offering Hope.
Conclusion: Meeting participants of the previous World Council in different occasions with personal story and sharing are indeed very inspiring on how such global formation session has impacted their lives in many ways. Undoubtedly, it was like the moment of planting a seed and slowly it is bearing fruits and continually scattering other seeds.
The forthcoming World Council aims at reviving the movement in India reaching out to as many students as possible to build a brighter future. Thus, it will enable to play a vital role in the society in bringing about justice, peace and equality in the society. The participants will gain a wide knowledge acquainting with the student from all over the world and bring in hope for us in a Crisis and Conflict filled world.
Please pray for the success of the programme and as we are struggling with the raising of the necessary funds, you may also contribute your might and send in your contributions to the following address.
Send your contribution by Cheque/D.D in favour of YOUNG CHRISTIAN STUDENTS,
A/c No 0042053000005700, The South Indian Bank Ltd, Chennai – G.T. Branch.
(IFSC: SIBL0000042) (Exempted from Income tax 80G and 12A)
Contact Address: Fr. Charles Menezes, YCS/YSM National Office, 66 (151), Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004
Mob: 09448331894, Email:
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