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JANUARY 2012

FIMCAP stArts Its jubIlee yeAr: 50 yeArs oF FIMCAP

LINK2 January 2012

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Link january 2012 | Editors: Pascal Vonlanthen, Marvic Debono, Lea Sedlmayr | Translation: Ramon Canal, Celia Martín Andrade, Marleen Deblonde, Nathalie Laguela, Queralt Alsina, Annette Leimer, Saiby Mathew | Layout: Jan Van Bostraeten, Valerie Van der Looy | Contact: link@fimcap.org, www.fimcap.org, info@fimcap.org |

Welcoming the New Year!

There used to be a time when the member organizations of FIMCAP

in Asia knew each other only by name. During the Asian Youth Day

in Hong Kong in 2006, however, every name began to have an image.

The friendship then developed to more than exchanges of names

or contact numbers. Asia began to share issues, advocacies, personal convictions, beliefs

and values. Slowly we began to appreciate our differences, our strong points and weaknesses.

We also discovered that it is not easy to have common activities and to share our charisma. The

General Assemblies in 2007 (Assisi) and 2010 (Munich) taught us there are no short cuts of any kind. We

acknowledge the different ways in which we work, and that as long as we have a common understanding of

our goals, nothing is impossible.

Last year, if there is one thing we are thankful for, it is the unique challenge which brought us solidarity,

partnership and vision as ways of understanding. The process may be slow but we found out that it is

possible to work on the FIMCAP Day / Green Day from our home countries while embracing our differences

– which in fact unite us.

From 27-30 December 2011, FIMCAP Asia will actually hold its 2nd FIMCAP Asia Conference in Cochin, India.

It will be another meaningful encounter with discussion about key issues. We would like to invite everyone

to join us in our second year as a region within FIMCAP. During the last day, we hope to be graced by

the participation of about 500 young people from different organizations to celebrate the Catholic

Organizations for Youth in Asia (COYA) Day.

See you there!

Jomon Vellapaly, President FIMCAP Asia

editorial

LINK3

January 2012

CAlendAr

FIMCAP Activities

Intercontinental Bureau Meeting Antwerp, Belgium 27 – 30 March 2012

FIMCAP 50th anniversary volunteer’s reunion Rome, Italy 30 March – 1 April 2012

Eurocourse KJG Germany 30 March – 4 April 2012

Chaplains meeting Italy 17 – 20 April 2012

World Camp Nippac Paraguay 14 July – 2 August 2012

FIMCAP Latin America meeting Paraguy 4 – 5 August 2012

Eurocamp Jubla Switzerland 4 – 11 August 2012

Intercontinental Bureau Meeting Antwerp, Belgium 4 – 7 October 2012

LINK: Editions 2012(Send articles and photos to link@fimcap.org. Maximum length: 3500 characters or 700 words)

Edition Deadline for articles Send out02/2012 15 Feb 2012 April 2012

03/2012 15 May 2012 July 2012

04/2012 15 Sept 2012 November 2012

LINK4 January 2012

Partnerships

jubla supports ChiroJubla leaders organize leader’s trainings for Chiro Philippines

Two members of the Jubla partnership com-

mittee travelled to the Philippines in May

and realised two leader’s training courses in

cooperation with our partner organization,

Chiro Philippines. Chiro had asked Jubla

for support in their leader’s training a few

months before.

The first course of four days took place in

Cebu City with about 30 group leaders from

six different local groups from all around

Cebu. In the focus were topics like the

leader’s role and tasks and the group activity

planning. An important part was the many

Jubla games we played with them. The par-

ticipants took a lot of practical ideas home

to their own local groups, and they learnt a

lot about Jubla.

Most participants in the second course, in

Cavite on the island of Luzon, were local

or district leaders from eight different

groups. This course focussed more on team

leadership and management, preparing a

camp, cooperating with the parents and the

parish, crisis management in the event of

an emergency, public relations, managing

funds and how to find new leaders. For the

preparation of the Chiro national camp in

2012 we tried to give them some tips and

tricks from our experience.

The participants received a deeper view of

Jubla’s training style and contents. We met

some leaders who, as members of an earlier

partnership group, had visited Switzerland.

They still play many games that they learned

from Jubla members then.

Apart from the courses, the cultural ex-

change was a highlight for us. The Chiros

love their presentations with music and

dance above all! Furthermore, we enjoyed

rice meals three times a day, every day, and

we got to know the humid-hot climate and

experienced now why Chiros are not really

used to hiking…

Transport can sometimes be a problem in

the Philippines; or at least not as simple as in

Switzerland. Four partici-

pants had a 12-hour ferry

trip plus many hours in a

bus. Many have to live in the

city to study or to work far

away from home.

It has not been decided yet if

there will be another training

course with Jubla trainers in

the Philippines, but it might

be possible if both sides are

interested. One aim of the

training was to enable Chiro

to develop their own training.

Amping! (=«Take care» in

Cebuano)

More information and pictu-

res:

Partnership committee of Jubla

www.partnerschaft.jubla.ch

partnerschaft@jubla.ch

Pascal Vonlanthen,

Jubla Switzerland

LINKJanuary 2012

5

Interesting insights into CHIro Philippines

From 18 July to 8 August 2011 eight Jubla leaders travelled to the Philip-pines. The origin of this trip is the ongoing partnership between Chiro Philippines and Jubla Switzerland. Alternately, leaders from one organi-sation visit the other. There is one visit every year. This year the Jubla leaders had the chance to experience a foreign Asian culture.

The travel itinerary was characterized by

three points: in the first week a visit to

Infanta, in the second week staying with a

national leader of CHIRO in the science city

Muñoz and a leader course north of Manila,

and in the third and last week a visit on the

holiday island of Bohol and the island of

Cebu.

Attractions in Manila

The real trip started the day after arriving:

we went on a tour of Manila. The CHIROs

wanted us to experience the various means

of transport in the Philippines and to visit

some offices and sights. Public transport is

very different from what we are used to in

Switzerland. Not in buses but in colourful

and individually designed tricycles and

jeepneys we experienced what it means to

move through the streets where the stron-

ger one wins is rule.

Apart from this nice experience we enjoyed

some more attractions on this day: We

stopped at the office of a partner of the

Swiss Lenten Fund and in the office of youth

organisations.

Development work in Infanta

After these first impressions

in Manila we left to the costal

region of Infanta. The content

of the next days was an insight

into two projects of the Swiss

Lenten Fund. The projects were

a pre-school in Dinahican and a

primary school for indigenous children from

rural villages. The lead of these projects is

up to the local parishes and the bishop. We

could even participate in the Bishops 65th

birthday party! In the fisherman’s village

of Dinahican we got the possibility to stay

in a Bahays, the traditional house of host

families who live under poor conditions. It

turned out to be a very important enrich-

ment of our experiences. Before we conti-

nued our trip to the Science City of Muñoz,

we visited the second project with a school

for the indigenous children of Actas.

Chiro activities in Muñoz

After arriving in Muñoz we saw what it

means to run a farm in the Philippines.

Apart from planting rice we could ride on a

karabu, a Philippine cow. Furthermore we

were introduced to fish breeding on a farm

of a Chiro leader. In Muñoz there are some

governmental science centres like PhilRice

which is responsible for the research on

new species of rice.

After that we joined the sport day of the

local university. At the end of that week

we were split into two groups. One group

participated in a two-day leader course in

the mountain region of Bayombong while

the other group supported the local Chiro

leaders in their regular Chiro Muñoz’ Sunday

activities.

The Jubla leaders got the chance to see how

different the work with children in another

culture is. Spirituality and faith is very pre-

sent in Chiro activities and closely connec-

ted to them, which is different from Jubla

activi-

ties. Secondly the supporting program is

structured in a stricter way. Nevertheless

the two organisations share many common

values, such as the fun with games and

other activities with children and youth. We

experienced Swiss and Philippine games

during Chiro Muñoz’ Sunday activities.

After this comparably quiet week in Muñoz

we travelled back to Manila; the next desti-

nation was the island of Cebu in the south

of the country.

In Cebu our timetable was spontaneously

enriched by a two-day trip to the holiday

island of Bohol. Bohol is famous for its

chocolate hills, some small hills that are not

covered by grass in summer. We also saw a

butterfly farm and the Tarsier monkeys. But

like everywhere else, there were a lot of sou-

venir vendors too. After this tiring touristic

hustle and bustle we enjoyed our holidays

under palms in the white sand at the beach

and refreshed in the beautiful sea.

Back in Cebu we were split to four different

places, each up to four hours away from the

other. Here the activities were mainly focu-

sed on the lives of the host families. Some of

us visited local schools and met new Chiro

friends. Others enjoyed sightseeing famous

waterfalls.

Avocado tree as symbol of the partnership

After these two nice days it was important

to set a symbolic value for this five-year old

partnership. We went to Danao to plant an

avocado tree as a sign of our partnership

LINK6

January 2012

and friendship. Back in Cebu City we joined

a one day leader activity before we flew

back to Manila where we met the leaders

from Manila and surroundings for the last

time.

During the three weeks of our trip we en-

countered many very different aspects. We

got to know many very hospitable, happy

and kind people. The exchange of Chiro

and Jubla is and stays a good thing and

gives both organisations the possibility to

benefit from each other.

Maurus Bammatter, Jubla Switzerland

jubla leaders in interviews

Why did you travel to the Philippines and

work in Jubla’s partnership committee?

I like travelling and I am very open to other

cultures and I was a host for two Chiro lea-

ders last year when they visited Jubla. It was

great fun and I was at a cultural Philipino

night and after that I joined the partnership

committee and was interested to be part of

the next visit.

What were you most impressed about by

CHIRO?

What I was impressed about most is that

they are able to create very funny games

with very limited material. Also, I was surpri-

sed that the leading style during activities

with large groups is, in my opinion, still very

strict or military.

You lived with a host family for a few days.

How was that that experience? Which

cultural differences did you notice?

Of the several stays in host families, the

stay in the costal region of Infanta was very

impressive. And I was personally impres-

sed by the stay with Ninia, a Chiro leader

in Cebu. There we experienced closely the

difference between living in the countryside

and in the city. We spent the first two nights

in a very nice and large wooden house in

Alegria in a higher located area. We enjoyed

wonderful days with a lot of adventures like

visiting beautiful waterfalls. On the third

day we returned and experienced the life in

a poor area in Cebu City. For us it was very

controversial but also understandable that

many people have to move from their nice

houses in the country to the poor city areas

due to their work.

You also travelled to the costal region of

Infanta because Jubla supports a deve-

lopment project of the Swiss Lenten Fund

there. This region has repeatedly been af-

fected by thunderstorms. The people there

live in very poor conditions. What kind of

problems do the people have to deal with?

How did you notice that?

I think that it was one of the most impres-

sive moments of the three-week trip. A dif-

ficulty there is that some children still do not

have proper school education. Fortunately,

the Swiss Lenten Fund and Jubla support

the pre-school in Dinahican to allow also

children from poor families to go to a public

school. It is obvious how many children live

in these villages. Unfortunately, there are

no organised leisure activities for children. I

hope there will be a Chiro group or another

organisation soon. It is amazing how much

these people enjoy the small things of life.

For us it was a very nice experience to play

games with the children of Dinahican and to

put a smile on their faces.

What was the most impressive experience

on the trip?

The whole trip was very impressive. To travel

in an Asian country is very special, because

their way of living is completely different

from ours. There, you work to live and not

the other way round as here in Switzerland.

LINKJanuary 2012

Africa

7

tHe bIrtH oF A network«Capacity building for regional youth

work development»

It was in Nairobi, Kenya where some of the

youth organizations in Africa gathered as

a follow up to the meeting in Tripoli, Libya.

It was a training course and a workshop

organized with the aim of strengthening

partnership and cooperation between and

among international youth organizations

operating in Africa.

The idea is to have a platform to cooperate,

not to compete with the Pan African Youth

Union (PYU). At the end of the four-day

gathering a name was found: Network of

International Youth Organizations in Africa

(NIYOA). The following needs for the net-

work were put forward:

1. The need to strengthen the cooperation

of the IYOs in Africa

2. The basic outlines of networking

3. The need for partnership between and

among the IYOs in Africa

4. To speak with one voice when youth-

related issues are discussed

The training and workshop agreed on fol-

lowing items, that should be released by all

the platform members:

1. Framework of the IYOs for 2011-2013

2. Establish the Network of International

Youth Organisations in Africa (NIYOA)

3. Establishment of the vision, mission and

objectives of NIYOA

4. The election of a coordination team for

one year

5. Decide the area of focus for NIYOA, to

include youth empowerment and partici-

pation as the main theme to be achieved

through sub themes as environment,

health, education and peace in line with

the African youth charter and the Tripoli

declaration.

At the end of the training, the vision, mis-

sion and objectives of the network were

developed.

Vision: To be an instrument for promoting

the work of IYOs in Africa

Mission: To provide and advocate a collabo-

rative platform to enhance and promote the

efforts of IYOs in Africa.

Objectives:

ɶ To be a platform of partnership for all

international youth organizations to en-

gage in meaningful youth empowerment

and participation

ɶ To enhance the capacity of IYOs in

furthering their youth work through the

exchanged of ideas and experiences

ɶ To be a common voice of IYOs in Africa

on issues affecting the youth

ɶ To cooperate with all sta-

keholders involved in youth matters in

Africa and beyond

ɶ To create awareness on the Africa Youth

Charter

ɶ To contribute towards the development

of policies and processes on issues af-

fecting the youth

Augustine Job, FIMCAP Africa

LINK8

January 2012

Cyo nIgerIA unveIl unIFIed logoThe Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria

has called on her members nationwide to

embrace sound leadership qualities and not

be shattered by the current crisis Nigeria is

facing at the moment.

The call was made by the national president

at the 2011 national conference meeting

of the organisation. He also emphasized

the need for catholic youths to be firm in

the taking on their duties as citizens. He

mentioned the successful participation

of members and chaplains in the recently

concluded 26th World Youth day in Madrid,

Spain and admonished Nigerians to eschew

hatred, and intensify prayers for the return

of peace and calm in the country’s troubled

areas.

The Bishop of Orlu diocese admonished the

delegates to the national conference to con-

stantly remember to place their faith first in

all things; he assured the organisation his

continuous prayers and support. The 2011

national conference also witnessed the for-

mal unveiling of CYO Nigeria’s unified logo.

Shortly after the Conference was declared

closed, the plenary session of Nigeria’s

Catholic Bishops’ Conference resumed, wit-

nessing the formal kick-off of the National

Youth Day (NYD) Cross Journey. The cross is

expected to travel through the nine Nige-

rian provinces before the next World Youth

Day in Brazil in 2013.

The event was graced by the presence of

government officials, alumni of CYO Nigeria,

Catholic Women Organisation, Catholic

Fathers Organisation and the Orlu Diocese’s

Laity Council.

Kingsley Onyeneke, CYO Nigeria

LINKJANUARY 2012

one, two, tree… FrIendsHIP tree!JUCHIBLARO! One rainy Saturday, leader

Susan and I headed a site inspection of the

venue for the next training camp in Danao,

Philippines. What welcomed us was a nice

and hearty avocado tree that is standing

just outside the church. It will grow to be a

fruitful landmark from a vantage point – the

church across Danao wharf facing Camotes

Island. The avocado tree was planted August

5, 2011 as the friendship tree/partnership

tree for Chiro Pilipinas and Jubla Switzer-

land.

The Bishop blessed the friendship tree while

the leaders from Jubla Switzerland and

Chiro leaders from the three main islands of

the Philippines eagerly planted the avocado

seedling as a sign of friendship and shared

commitment of both youth movements to

help save nature. Innovatively we named it

JUCHIBLARO from the word Jubla and Chiro.

How imaginative Jubla and Chiro are!

What is special about the avocado? I love

to eat avocado but I didn’t know its origin.

According to Wikipedia the avocado is a

tree native to Central Mexico; the fruit of

the tree is called avocado or alligator pear,

which can be pear-shaped, egg-shaped or

round. The average avocado tree produces

about 500 avocados every year. And as far as

I know, it can become 30-35 years old! But

I won’t worry if after 35 years it will wither

because I know there are new ones and new

generations that will bear more fruit. Isn’t it

amazing that every Chiro or Jubla group will

produce 500 more leaders and members

each year? Wow, it would be great if we

were inspired by a simple avocado.

Friendly tree! It’s still fresh in my mind

how Jubla and Chiro leaders enjoyed riding

jeepney and cheerfully singing «Mal ufe, mal

abe, mal links, mal rechts…» and shouting

«one, two, tree, friendship tree!» Can you

imagine us kissing the leaves of the avocado

and taking pictures from all sides? Mesme-

rized by the rhythm of Swiss laughter and

Filipino chuckling, it was like a combination

of «Choco-Rice» or Champorado and a

mishmashed Hullo-hullo. I am still amazed

by those happy moments, transporting the

tree until we reached its destination, dig-

ging a hole and planting with love and care

with great hopes for the tree’s unceasing

growth.

Importance of having this tree

Choosing what tree to plant wasn’t difficult

because we all loved avocado and we

believed that it was an ideal tree to seal our

friendship. As the avocado tree grows, it

will become a living witness of our ups and

downs, achievements as well as typhoons

we will encounter in life. May we treasure

and care for this living keepsake of our

friendship as a priceless gift to us from God.

LONG LIVE JUCHIBLARO!

Ninia G. Jayme, Chiro Philippines

Asia

LINKJanuary 2012

Europe

FIMCAP euroConFerenCe In sunny MAltAFrom 24 to 27 November delegates from the European FIMCAP member organi-sations stayed in sunny and warm Malta. We looked back at the past three years and evaluated our work to prepare the action plan for the coming three years.

Further we elected a new presidium:

Magdalena Omlor (KJG, Germany/FDF,

Denmark), Juraj Kralik (erko, Slovakia) as pre-

sident and vice-president of FIMCAP Europe,

as well as Vincienne Debono (ZAK, Malta) as

FIMCAP Europe secretary.

To give FIMCAP even more manpower we

decided to divide the task of FIMCAP Europe

secretary and the representation of FIMCAP

within the European Youth Forum (YFJ). Ras-

mus Bach Ottosen (FDF, Denmark) agreed to

be FIMCAP’s new representative in the YFJ.

Finally, we also have a new chaplain: Father

Reuben Gauci (ZAK, Malta) who will take the

torch from Josep Lluís (CCCCCE, Catalunya).

The study sessions concerning finances,

Team of Advisors, structures and activities

were intense but very fruitful; we were able

to develop an action plan for the coming

three years with much hands-on informa-

tion. The session was further enriched by

a presentation of the new EU strategy for

youth providing loads of information and

food for thoughts.

Even though the program kept us busy we

also had enough time to explore Malta, en-

joy the lovely food (thank you to the kitchen

team) and spend some cosy evenings with

good company, as well as a big FIMCAP

50th birthday cake, and unexpected musical

entertainment…

All together I have to say that I’m curious

what the future will bring FIMCAP Europe in

the next three years, but I’m positive that we

laid out solid groundwork to build upon.

Magdalena Omlor, FDF/KJG

euroPeAn youtH ForuM (eyF) ConventIon on volunteerIng

It is raining in Brussels which is nothing

new. But what is new: 500 volunteers from

different organisations, invited by the Eu-

ropean Youth Forum, in gathering Europe’s

capital to take part in the Convention of

Volunteering. And FIMCAP was happy to be

present too.

We took part in the stakeholder confe-

rence, working on a charter of the rights of

volunteers, and in the so called Volunteering

Village with the Workshop «Let us play!» Fol-

lowing our FIMCAP year theme 2011 «The

power of you(th)» we wanted to remind the

people of the fact that volunteering cannot

just be administration and organisation but

also fun and playing with the children.

The whole convention also planned to show

the people in charge who volunteers are

and what they can do. You can find more

details on this event on the blogs http://

youngvolunteersstandup.wordpress.com

and www.youthforum.org.

Since the convention took place right after

the meeting of the Intercontinental Bureau,

also our Afro president Augustine and our

Latin-American representative Lourdes

could join us in this convention.

Lea Sedlmayr, FIMCAP President

LINK11

January 2012

«IT’S TIME TO dEMONSTRATE THE VALuE ANd THE POWER OF VOLuNTEERINg» (PETER MATJASIC, EYF PRESIdENT)

When the opportunity to attend the

convention presented itself, I was happy

to attend it but was very nervous about

it. The nervousness was twofold: How will

the organizers manage a large turn out of

attendance? Secondly, will I not be the only

person from Africa?

However, this anxiety was erased as soon

as we got to the registration point where

there was a black lady among the staffs of

the EYC. The convention was held at the

European Parliament in Brussels. The theme

was «For Youth Rights» and it was from 7 to

11 September, 2011 and assembled more

than 1000 volunteers from Europe and 100

young Chinese for 4 days as part of activities

to the international year of volunteering. In

the framework of the EU-China partnership,

it was also to mark the EU-China year of

youth.

There was a stakeholders’ conference which

brought together all those responsible

for the working of the EYF. Together they

listened to experts and had discussions

on right based approach to volunteering

and at the end developed a declaration on

volunteering.

After the conference, there was the plenary

of the convention in the European Parlia-

ment. This was aimed giving an overview of

the convention to all those who were able to

attend. During the plenary the declaration

on the rights of volunteers was presented

by the President of EYF to the Head of the

European Parliament.

The volunteering village was to showcase

the activities of all volunteers provider as

well as knowing better how they volunteer.

There were about 20 tents. There were de-

bates, workshops and discussions aimed at

showcasing the rights and duties of volun-

teers and volunteer providers. FIMCAP also

had a tent were it held a workshop on how

to use games and play to teach children and

youths how to volunteer.

Every evening was always rounded up with

concerts, juggling performances, amazing

projections, multicultural performances,

concerts on the balconies and other in-

novative experiences. The village was closed

on Saturday with 3 young people winning

the ticket to take part in the Chinese year of

volunteering while there was the Antitapas

After Party.

FIMCAP was represented by Lea, Marvic,

Lourdes and Augustine. Volunteering and

participating is a way for young people to

make a change. Be part of that change!

Augustine Job, FIMCAP Africa

LINK12

January 2012

euroCAMP 2012

Next summer, the Eurocamp will take

place in Switzerland from 4 to 11 August.

In the beautiful Napf area, in the middle

of Switzerland, we’ll enjoy a great week

together. The motto of the camp is Integra-

tion - great Crea©tion and it stands for the

program: there will be action, creativity,

integration of people and enjoying god’s

great creation and nature.

The Eurocamp is for young people aged

15-20. It’s a chance to meet new friends

from other European FIMCAP organisati-

ons. Participation fees will be a maximum

of €145; we will be able to give travel cost

reimbursement after funding has been

granted. You can apply soon on www.jubla.

ch/international. Application deadline is 21

May 2012.

Jubla’s planning team of is already working

hard to make it an unforgettable week.

Check out our Facebook page to find the

latest news of the planning team:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/

Fimcap-Eurocamp-2012-in-Switzer-

land/139824842789600

our exPerIenCe In slovAkIALast July I was a part of an exchange bet-

ween eRko, a youth organization in Slovakia,

and ŻAK Malta. The 2011 exchange was the

second part, because during 2010, our eRko

friends had visited Malta on an exchange

that focused on Poverty and Social Exclu-

sion. This year it was the Maltese who had

the chance to visit Slovakia on an exchange

titled «Better Together» because everyone

knows that things go much better and

beautiful if they are done together.

One of the first activities was a task game. In

this game, we were divided into two groups:

the Maltese and the Slovaks and each group

was given a number of tasks to do, such as

making a human pyramid, folding twenty

paper boats, repeating certain words for a

number of minutes, making a human train

and constructing the Maltese cross from

grass. The activity was fun and challenging

and helped us to trigger creativity and make

new friends.

The first morning we started the day by

celebrating a special mass for the Slovaks.

It was a special day for them because they

were celebrating the feast of Cyril and Me-

thodis, are important people in the history

of Slovakia because they gave them faith.

It was a mass full of enthusiasm and songs.

Although it was in the Slovak language, you

still feel the happiness inside due to that

energy throughout the whole mass. After

the mass we went to visit some children and

spent some time playing with them.

On another day we visited children in a

foster home. It was a new experience for

me and most of my friends because I never

had the chance to visit children with special

needs and difficulties. It was also a special

day for me because I realized how fortunate

we are, and that we can do a lot of things

these children cannot do, and that we live

a very comfortable life. We also played with

the older children in a playground. We also

got to know the Slovak people more by

making these children happy.

Another part of this exchange was when

we went to the castle. Apart from the very

nice view and historical remains, there was

something special about this day. I am a

person who does not enjoy walking very

much. The climb to the castle was difficult

and while walking up to the castle I was out

of breath. I was one of the last people wal-

king, but then the rest of the group grabbed

my hand and we started walking up the hill

all together. This struck me as I always ac-

knowledged that things were done «better

together» but I hadn’t experienced it before.

We also had time to go to the mountains.

It was my first time on a mountain. First

LINK13

January 2012

we travelled by a 3-hour train journey to a

station in the mountains. Before going up

we walked for 30 minutes, which was beau-

tiful. We stopped to take photos near a lake

and the beautiful nature of Slovakia. After a

while it stared to rain.

It was a sunny morning when we went to

the city to do voluntary work with a local

institution for orphans with special needs.

We visited different wards and then played

with some of the children; an opportunity

which surely allowed all of us to understand

and really appreciate life. We also visited a

local cathedral and enjoyed a few minutes

of prayers.

On the last night there was an international

evening. After a few minutes of reflections,

we were shown a table of local Slovak foods,

mainly chocolate and sweets. In the same

room was the Maltese table, with the tradi-

tional mqaret, sweets, drinks and cake.

After an hour or so, the tables were cleared

and the lights dimmed for a party, where

we danced to both ŻAK dances and other

popular music. What really surprised us

that night was an activity which we hadn’t

known before. Around midnight, the

Maltese were called into groups and we

were given instructions to follow a light

and go on a journey in the dark. Naturally,

the atmosphere helped to increase the fear

level and caused some of us to scream (and

scaring others in the process).

During this exchange we got to know each

other very well and also discussed and expe-

rienced different types of voluntary work

both in Malta and in Slovakia. Now we are

all looking forward to more opportunities to

meet our friends again.

ZAK Malta

ŻAk exCHAnge – 1:100 gIve to grow

Applying to be a participant in the exchange

1:100 – Give to grow is something I will

never regret doing. As we all know by now,

this year is dedicated to volunteer work and

because of this, there were several activi-

ties to raise awareness about volunteering

during the exchange. Each one of us had to

choose a group or foundation to spend 3

consecutive mornings volunteering there.

My personal choice was Inspire Foundation

(http://www.inspire.org.mt), a foundation

that works with disabled children. One day

we helped the facilitators during swimming

lessons, another we helped enabling activi-

ties and games for the children. On the last

day we had to do one of the most difficult

tasks. We spent 3 hours of gardening in the

sun. We weren’t helping the children in need

personally, however, indirectly the children

who attend Inspire Foundation will benefit

from our gardening. This motivated us to

continue doing what we were brought there

to do.

Also, during this exchange we had the op-

portunity to meet and make new friends of

different nationalities such as Romanians, Po-

lish and Italians. Meeting those people was

nice and I am sure that even though we are

far away from each other we will all remain

friends for a long time and hopefully maybe

once meet again. In my opinion, during this

exchange, thanks to ŻAK and all the other

organisations, I spent one of the best weeks

in my life.

Lisa Libreri, ŻAK Iklin

My life in ŻAK started when I was only a

small girl. I would see my older sister get-

ting involved in a number of ŻAK activities,

and sometimes even got involved myself in

games and similar activities. When I first saw

my sister come back from her first interna-

tional exchange with a big smile on her face,

there was only one thing in my mind – that is

what I want to do when I grow up!

LINK14

January 2012

This year, ŻAK gave me this wonderful op-

portunity through the 1:100 Give to Grow

Exchange. This Exchange took place in

Malta with the participation of the Maltese,

Italians, Romanians, and Polish. It was one of

the greatest experiences in my life. Not only

did I make new friends, but I also discovered

more about different cultures.

The exchange focused on Volunteer Work

due to this year being the European Year

of Voluntary Work. I learned more about

volunteering through workshops, activities,

and hands-on experience. Not only did I

learn about volunteering, but I also became

interested in doing volunteer work abroad

when I get older.

1:100 was just amazing! It wasn’t just fun, it

was something I will remember for the rest

of my life:)

Stephanie Bonnici, ŻAK B’Buġa

LINK15

January 2012

we were breAkIng our stereotyPesFrom 16 to 25 September, the animators of

the Christian children’s communities move-

ment – eRko Slovakia and Ateitis Lithuania

took part in the international exchange of

the Slovaks and the Lithuanians.

The Lithuanian towns Kaunas and Brištonas

became the place of mutual communication

for the young Catholics. The main topic

of this exchange was the motto «Break

your stereotypes, change your thinking».

Actually, this task was not the only focus this

meeting had; it was primarily concerned

with understanding that everybody is able

to break stereotypes. It was a great time. We

had the opportunity to meet new people,

to learn a lot of unique opinions about the

topic and concentrate on understanding the

most important parts of program as well.

Of course, spending the time with Lithua-

nians opened the gate for new friendships.

During the international evening, on the

second day of the exchange, both delega-

tions presented their countries with flags,

dances, songs and national food. However,

it was not the first international exchange

between Slovaks and Lithuanians, but the

second. Producing our home made films

entailed two different points of view on

the ways of breaking our stereotypes. For

example Lithuanians referred to their visions

in relation student – teacher, while Slovaks

referred to the refusal of stimulating ideas.

We also discussed gender stereotypes in the

exchange of activities attributed to the sex.

During this girls tried to cut wood whereas

boys sewed dolls. What fits for a man does

not fit for a woman. We got it. However it

was really funny. Just look at the photo!

One day we did a survey among the people

about their lifestyles, habits, daily routi-

nes… After that we had the opportunity to

see a lot of different lifestyles. Having noted

what this day was about we went for a hike.

Funny troubles arrived when Marius’ bicycle

wheel burst, but later he got a new bicycle.

Unfortunately it was pink.

We realised that the press is often not a re-

liable source of getting information due to

many half-truths. The talks about a need to

change prejudices in Christian circles were

another part of the program. Also we wan-

ted to inform people about our presence in

their town. It depended to some extent on

the activity called tree dressing, so we put

the tree into the pieces of coloured fabrics

in one of the Brištonas‘s streets. There we

realized that to achieve the goals it is neces-

sary to be open to cooperate with others

to create a community of active youth. You

should try it too! Be part of a great project

such as this type of international exchange!

Denisa Dinisová, eRko, Slovakia

LINK16

January 2012

jungwACHt blAurIng: FACIng uPCoMIng CHAllengesJungwacht Blauring is facing social challenges, just as many other youth organizations.

To have a solid base to discuss the future development of our organization, a scientific

study has been commissioned.

The results show that the members are very

satisfied and that the member’s background

is very homogenous – children with migra-

tion background are rarely members.

Topics as the increasing leisure time facilities

or the incremental school demands of child-

ren are not only bothering the society but

also the youth organizations. Together with

the University of Lucerne we conducted the

biggest study every done in a Swiss youth

organization.

Nearly 2’700 children, their parents and

leaders were interviewed. Fortunately, the

current offer is appreciated and matches the

needs. However, an analysis of the member

structure showed that the children with

migration background are rarely members.

Therefore, an objective of the next years

will be to further open up to this group of

people. We are convinced that although

Jungwacht Blauring is positioned as a

traditional organization, we offer an ideal

environment for integration. At the same

time, an intercultural opening would also

require an adjustment of the socio-cultural

opening of our organization. On the basis of

the study we are now working on a strategy

project.

The study and its outcome were very well

received by the members, other youth and

umbrella organizations, but surprisingly also

by the general media. Several newspapers

wrote an article about the study, which was

great and helped make it even more visible.

Sonam Suter, Jubla Switzerland

LINK17

JANUARY 2012

FAMIly 2012 «tHe FAMIly: work And CelebrAtIon»The Archdiocese of Milan is going to host

the VII World Meeting of Families from May

30th to June 3rd.

«The upcoming World Meeting of Families

affords a privileged opportunity to rethink

work and celebration in the perspective

of a family that is united and open to life,

thoroughly integrated in society and in the

Church, attentive to the quality of relati-

onship in addition to the economy of the

family nucleus itself.» (Pope Benedict XVI)

Work and celebration are closely connected

to the lives of families: they condition deci-

sions, influence the couples’ relationships

and those between parents and children,

and affect the relationship of the family

with society and with the Church. The Holy

Gospel (cf. Gen 1-2) tells us that the family,

work and holidays are gifts and blessings

that help us to live a fully human life.

The upcoming World Meeting of Families

offers a privileged opportunity to rethink

work and celebration in the perspective

of a family that is united and open to life,

thoroughly integrated in society and in the

Church, attentive to the quality of relati-

onships in addition to the economy of the

family nucleus itself. The event, to be truly

fruitful, must not, therefore, remain isolated,

but must fit into an adequate process of

ecclesial and cultural preparation. The spi-

ritual preparation is meant to go on in the

respective dioceses in the months following

the meeting.

In Milan the preparations have been going

on for several months, to properly host the

families and organise the event, which will

close with a meeting in the S. Siro Stadium,

together with the Pope.

The Foundation Family 2012 is looking

for young people (18+ from European

countries) who are willing to participate as

volunteers. It is an interesting opportunity

to experience the service in – and for – the

Christian community and to be part of a

very big event.

Leaders and volunteers from FIMCAP

member organisations are warmly invited to

consider their participation.

More information can be found on the of-

ficial website: http://www.family2012.com.

You can also send an e-mail to: info@

family2012.com.

Carla Acerbi, Forum Oratori Italiani

MILANfrom 30th May

to 3rd June 2012

WHERE FAMILIES TALKARCHDIOCESE OF MILAN

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR THE FAMILY

manif_pzn041104_4_lingue_ok.indd 107/06/11 13:31

LINK18

January 2012

A sPeCIAl PlACe For An extrA sPeCIAl MeetIngIt has become an important diocesan ap-

pointment in the last 20 years… a traditio-

nal meeting that raises high expectations

and is expected well in advance. We are

talking about the diocesan meeting for all

the youngsters who will receive – or have re-

ceived – their confirmation during the year.

After a preparation of 100 days, following a

theme linked to the diocesan year theme,

the children, their catechists and parents are

invited to come together for an afternoon of

reflection and prayer led by the Archbishop

and hosted in a very special place, the St.

Siro stadium in Milan.

Isn’t it unusual and extraordinary? Oh yes!

Extraordinary is also the huge amount of

work the Fom (Fondazione Diocesana per

gli oratori milanesi) and the commission

of youth workers and volunteers spend

preparing this event; they are busy all year

long, creating the texts for the 100-day

preparation period every parish carries on

independently. And even more, a lot of time

and important work is needed for prepa-

raing the animation taking place on the

playground.

The animation,

designed by a pool

of experts every

year and following

the year theme,

has the goal to

represent and

underline the

richness of the

Holy Spirit’s

gifts in the

confirmation.

It is realized

thanks to the

cooperation

of approxi-

mately 800

volunteering teenagers, from a number of

diocesan parishes, enthusiast about the

unique opportunity to step into the over-

famous playground and proud of playing an

important role in the event.

Carla Acerbi, FOI

LINK19

January 2012