Luxembourg: the Week of the media”Self-image in the media”: this is the theme of the Media Week organized by ErwuesseBildung, the formation centre for adults and youth in Luxembourg. On November 10-19 the Centre will present events aimed at promoting a responsible use of the media. This year’s Week is dedicated to the widespread trend of self-depiction in the media. Lecturers will address the motivations underlying this new kind of self-representation, along with the opportunities and risks. Other items on the agenda include the causes that lead the youth to seek media attention; the appeal and danger of online games; the media and literature as tools for self-understanding. The Media Week is addressed especially to the youth, along with parents and teachers. The initiative is organized under the auspices of the Minister for the Family and Integration of Luxembourg, in cooperation with the Catholic Church Media department in Luxembourg, in the framework of celebrations for the twentieth anniversary of the endorsement of the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child, promoted by the Minister for the Family and Integration. Spain: entrepreneurs for the WYD in Madrid On November 4, at the Villa Magna Hotel in Madrid the archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, had a meeting with the presidents of the major enterprises of Spain. The “Fundación Madrid Vivo” chaired by the Cardinal, promoted the encounter, that addressed the forthcoming 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid. Indeed, some two million young people from across the world are expected to arrive for the encounter with Pope Benedict XVI. The meeting was called by the President of the “Banco Santander” Emilio Botin and by the president of “Telefonica”, Cesar Alierta. “Alierta and Botin – is written in a statement issued by the Foundation – expressed the yearning to share with the major Spanish companies the idea that the World Youth Day deserves being promoted for the image that is conveyed of our Country and for the promotion of the values of Spanish youth”. The meeting was equally attended by the Presidents of “Endesa”, “Iberia”, “Gamesa”, “Telecinco”, “Bolsas y Mercados”. Participants highlighted “the importance of the WYD”, since “it has a world bearing, and is followed by millions of young people”, and conveyed their “support and cooperation for the positive outcome of the WYD”. Switzerland: the youth “bear witness and pray” 1500 people, including 1000 youth, are expected to convene in Freiburg November 7-8 for the 20th anniversary of “Praying and bearing witness”, promoted by the Apostolate of prayer. Among this year’s guests and faith witnesses figure Dominican father David Macaire, sister Laura Patelli, Apostolic nuncio Msgr. Francesco Canalini. Abbot Nicolas Glasson will preside over the initiative in his capacities as chaplain and address the challenges and hopes in the realm of ecclesial life. “The force of this encounter – the abbot explained – lies in its being cross-generational, since it brings together faithful of all ages. The quest for this balance is ongoing, we must not rest on our laurels”. The program envisages events for different age brackets, like music, prayer and debate sessions for the youth and for adults. Special emphasis is given to personal experiences, Glasson pointed out. “The youth seek teachers, faith witnesses. Objective religious witnesses convey values and set an example for all. It is also necessary to ensure that the youth be involved in the debate. Animators will prepare them for confrontation and sharing”. The first edition of “Praying and bearing witness” dates back to 1990. Since then there have been annual meetings attended by a total of at least 25 thousand people who listened to the religious testimonies of personalities such as Jean Vanier, sister Emmanuelle, Cardinal George Cottier, Guy Gilbert and composer Théo Martens.
