The Agora of the Young is also a bridge with the Mediterranean countries: guests will include a Turkish delegation. "We are sharing these days with the young Italians: together we prayed in the cathedral, together we celebrate and reflect on the problems of faith", explains to SIR Alper Alkac, the leader of the delegation of five boys and girls hosted by the diocese of Orvieto-Todi. "In Turkey, where the majority are Muslins specifies the young man , living like Christians is not easy. Despite this, the young Turkish Catholics remain enthusiastic". The key to dialogue with the Muslims, according to Alkac, lies in "bringing them a message of peace, as Jesus Christ teaches us". Also, a bridge to the Christians of different confessions. "In Bulgaria, a rising number of young people are finding happiness in the Church explains the Bulgarian priest Plamen Gecev , overcoming the prejudice that those who attend ecclesial celebrations are frowned upon". According to the priest, the young must be told that the only response to their bewilderment when faced with the big challenges of life is "Jesus Christ". And it is just this experience that the Bulgarians want to pass down to their Orthodox friends. The young pilgrims include a delegation which has come all the way from Australia to promote the WYD of Sidney (15-20 July 2008).
