Working as new people” “

Just over a month to go before the opening: the programme of World Youth Day (Cologne, 16-21 August) has by now been fixed, though still susceptible to “last minute” variations, thanks to the unremitting work of the organizers (info: www.wjt2005.de – www.gmg2005.it). Many meetings are planned during WYD; they include an international meeting between young workers, on the model of those already held in Paris, Rome and Toronto. The event, with the title “Working as new people”, is promoted by the Offices of youth ministry and ministry of work of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and of some Italian and international youth associations (CiGioc, International Coordination of Christian Worker Youth, Italian and French Gioc, Acli, Inas-Cisl, Confcooperative). It is also being held under the auspices of the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. The focal point of the meeting will be the presentation of the Handbook of the Social Doctrine of the Church, in the form of a dialogue between the young delegates and Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. JACKIE HOCQUET , French coordinator of CiGioc for Europe and the Middle East, has described the aims of the meetings in an interview with SIR. “Working as new people” is the theme of the meeting, but it also sounds like an appeal to young workers… “The objective of the meeting is to involve as many young workers as possible in World Youth Day, also by giving them a sign of the Church’s particular attention to them. The title Working as new people indicates the willingness and the need for young people to discover that work is an occasion to express themselves, as human beings and children of God”. The Handbook of the Social Doctrine of the Church will be presented during the meeting. Why? “The Handbook is a new tool and presents important reflections of great actuality that may interest the life and problems of young workers. The WYD is an excellent opportunity to present the book and to familiarize all young people with its message”. In practice how and when will this meeting be held? “The meeting will be held at the St. Nikolaus Kirche, in Berrenrather Strasse (Köln Sülz), on Friday 19 August, from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm. Various stands, in which the young can get to know each other and interact, will be installed in front of the church. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation of the Handbook. Four themes will then be successively tackled. Each will focus on a particular continent: Asia (The protection of the rights of young workers in the rampant economies of Asia); Africa (Selflessness, solidarity and celebration, traditional dimensions of the life of youth faced by an individualist and consumerist culture. What opportunities and what role are there for voluntary service?); Europe (The problem of the sustainability of economic development in relation to the environment and to the future of the new generations: competition or solidarity between the generations?); Latin America (Youth in response to social, trade-union and political commitment: is it still possible today to be good Christians and honest citizens?). Each stage will be characterized by listening to the testimony of young workers of the continent in question. All the interventions will be simultaneously translated in German, English, Italian, Spanish and French. The young will also have chance to put questions to Cardinal Martino on the challenges posed to the faith and to the Church in their own country. The cardinal will reply to the questions of the young in the light of the teachings of the social doctrine of the Church. The meeting will conclude with an invitation to the young to live their daily life as active Christians and witnesses to the faith”. You monitor the Middle-Eastern area on behalf of the CiGioc… Any news of the possible participation of youth from this region in WYD? “Yes, youth from Jordan, Lebanon and Jerusalem will participate in WYD. WYD will be an important event for their life as believers: especially for those who live in Christian minority contexts. Having the opportunity to meet other young Christians will make them feel less lonely and enable them to experience the value of brotherhood and communion between people. There remain, however, practical difficulties in “entering” Europe (visas, controls…), especially for the poorer youth: for them it’s more difficult to get a visa”.