A breath of fresh air

"72 hours without compromises" ("72 Stunden ohne Kompromiss") is the title of a successful campaign organized by the Austrian Catholic Youth and by the Caritas youth in the Country. Since Saturday, October 17, starting at 4.00 p.m. more than 5,000 young people have taken part in the initiative with the creation of 400 social projects throughout Austria totalling more than 350,000 volunteer hours. The event, which takes place every two years and is now in its sixth edition, has been a "great success", as reported by the organizers. Also this year, the event has involved young people from Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as in 2010.An example to all. "Young people are driven to work on a social level and in solidarity", said Noemi Müller, President of the Austrian Catholic Youth. "Youth engagement is an example for the whole of society", continued Müller, noting that "the meetings with groups of disadvantaged and socially isolated people, as well as a variety of experiences of young people during the three days of the meeting, have a lasting impact on participants opening up their minds to new ways of seeing their environment". The theme of this year’s campaign was inter-generational solidarity. Already during the press conference held on October 16 in Vienna to the presence of the organizers and the bishop for the pastoral care of the youth Msgr. Stephan Turnovsky, Müller pointed out that "young people should learn about the life and the needs of other generations coming into contact with them". For this reason, along with traditional projects, in the 2012 was proposed an "Austrian project" which involved five dioceses, in which the youth were called to evaluate whether specific public places are adequate to the needs of children, youth and old people. At the end, the youth presented a set of proposals apt at improving the quality of life of all generations, showing, as Müller said during the presentation, that "young people can carry out wonderful things if we show that we have faith in them".A real richness. A breath of fresh air for social projects. This is how Franz Küberl, president of Caritas Austria, defined the commitment and the participation of the young to "72 hours without compromises". The initiative, he added, "is a good example of how coexistence with our neighbour can be accomplished. When a country that is rich from the economic angle but not as regards coexistence, it is a country that is growing poorer. This is why we need people that will voluntarily be engaged for others", said Küberl. Caritas president, at the end of the 72 hours event. He thus thanked the youth and all participants: "You were great!" he said. "Owing to the commitment of 5000 young participants, it can be said that over the past days our Country has grown richer in terms of solidarity, co-participation and commitment. In this way, – Küberl concluded -, a solidarity structure was born. The experiences made by all participants will give new life to this structure also in the future".Support to the Church. During the press conference to present the intiative, Msgr. Stephan Turnovsky highlighted the Christian roots of the initiative "which represents the fruitful grounds for the development of solidarity". The Church participated by supporting the campaign with the Communities of Austrian religious orders that have promoted several projects. For example, a project for 150 people, most of whom homeless, who normally avail themselves of a meal distribution service – was implemented in a community of Vienna – Gumpendorf. The youth have organized a party for these people. Another project was carried out in Vienna’s Hartmann Hospital, run by Franciscan nuns, in which the youth have created and decorated a garden, taking part in the convent’s activities during the day. According to organizers, the projects carried out during this edition were "varied and demanding". For example, in Higher Austria, in a home for asylum-seekers, a place of encounter was created. In a home for the old-age in Vienna an internet connection was set up; in the Burgenland a charity rock-concert, in Tirol clown-therapy sessions in the hospital, in Karnten, apple juice was produced for a missionary project. "The youths have surprised us for their commitment. They triggered a hurricane of solidarity across Austria!" commented Magdalena Schwarz, coordinator of the projects of "72 hours without compromises".