1 Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences - Office of Laity and Family - YOUTH DESK 2008-2009
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3 Table of Contents 1. Youth Desk Report Year 2008-2009 2. Asian Youth and the Eucharist: A Regional Survey (book copy) 3. 5 th Asian Youth Day Message 4. 5 th Asian Youth Ministers Meeting Pastoral Recommendations 5. Financial Statement 5 12 17 19 25
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FABC-OLF- YOUTH DESK 2008-2009 5 A. Organizing regional youth/youth ministry conferences/ gatherings 1. Witnessing Worldwide Spirit Generation Asian Youth Asian Youth Gathering (AYG) WYD Sydney 2008 Since WYD in France, the Youth Desk has been organizing the AYG to gather Asian delegations for an afternoon cultural exchange and prayer. It also serves as a venue to bring the WYD theme in the context of our Asian realities and enable our delegates to reflect on the challenges the WYD celebration is leading them into. About 10,000 delegates from 22 Asian countries celebrated as one Asia with their counterparts in Sydney and in other continents. An added feature of this gathering was the collaboration with Young Asian Australians in Sydney who co-organized the whole event.
2. YASIA FIESTA: Young Asians, Come Together, Share the Word, Live the Eucharist 5 th Asian Youth Days (AYD) / Asian Youth Ministers Meeting AYMM) Since the Daejon Assembly, the AYD and AYMM gatherings carry the theme of the FABC General Assemblies. This has created the awareness among youth commissions, youth animators and leaders all over Asia on FABC pastoral recommendations /directions especially as it links with the ministry towards the young. In many countries, the AYD theme is also taken as their national youth day theme. Thus, formation on the theme is brought down even to the local parish levels. These events also encouraged collaboration with FABC offices like Office of Social Communication, Education and Faith Formation and Human Development and other related agencies/organizations. From the regular crowd of 1000 in the past AYDs, the 5 th assembly in the Philippines held in November 2009 in the Diocese of Imus, had 1,600 delegates, from 22 countries including the Philippines. The entire program included the following: a. 5th AYD Preparatory Program A module was designed to prepare the delegates for the entire experience in the Philippines. This also allowed them to grow in relationship with one another as well as to reflect and prepare concretely for the country exhibit, presentations, etc. b. Days in the Diocese Nov. 20-22 (hosted by 10 local dioceses) This was a 3-day exposure-immersion experience with Filipino families in their local parish community and diocese. Activities included community service, sharing and praying with host family, exposure to realities in the community especially on the concerns and issue of young people. D A Y S I N T H E D I O C E S E 6 D io c e s e o f A n t ip o lo D i o ce s e o f C a l o o c a n D i o c e s e o f C u b a o A r c h d i o ce s e o f M a n i la D i o c e se o f N o v a l i c h e s D io c e s e o f P a r a n a q u e D i o c e se o f P a si g A r c h d i o c e s e o f L i p a D io c e s e o f S a n P a b lo M il i t a r y O r d in a r i a t e o f t h e P h i li p p i n e s
7 c. 5th Asian Youth Day Nov. 23-27 (Diocese of Imus) Revolving on the theme of the Word and the Eucharist, the conference included presentations by bishops and youth sharers on the theme, subregional sharing, country exhibits, creative liturgies and celebrations, cultural events, etc. d. 5 th Asian Youth Ministers Meeting Nov. 27-30 (St. Paul s Center for Renewal, Cavite) This meeting of national youth ministry commission bishops, chaplains and youth ministers was a follow-up on the AYD. It aimed to reflect on the message and the challenges posed by the Asian Youth Day to local youth ministries. Pastoral recommendations were drawn from the reflections and the workshop discussions held in the 3-day program.
8 e. Post-AYD programs and exposures Nov. 27-Dec 3 Two workshops were organized for delegates that decided to stay on for a few days. These were namely: Youth Serving Youth (Bukal ng Tipan Center) and Peacebuilding and Interreligious Workshop (University of Santo Tomas and the FABC-OEFF). Likewise a parish youth ministry exposure was also organized by the Parish of St.Joseph in Las Pinas. Delegates from Cambodia, Myanmar, Mongolia attended these programs. Bukal ng Tipan, Tay tay, Rizal
9 B. Collaboration with International Youth Movements/Organizations Catholic Organizations for Youth in Asia In 2007, the Youth Desk initiated a gathering of international youth movements and organizations to recognize their gift to youth ministry in the region as well as find possible cooperation in the regional and local level. Meeting on the feast of the Pentecost, the group was inspired to establish more networking among them and to collaborate with the Youth Desk for youth programs in the region. The past two years witnessed the involvement of the COYA in various meetings and activities of the Youth Desk. Their active participation enabled them to share their organizations charism and expertise especially in youth ministry. In the 5 th AYD, they were mainly responsible for organizing the 68 workshops conducted on November 26. Catholic Organizations for Youth in Asia (COYA) is composed of nine member organizations. Other movements are interested to join the network. Aside from their regular assemblies and updates, the network plans to organize more activities in the future. C. Collaboration with Interreligious Youth Network RFP International/Asia/Philippines / 2005-2009 Since 2005, the Youth Desk has been involved in interfaith work through the Religions for Peace. The Youth Desk has taken an active role especially in organizing the last Asian Youth Leaders Summit held in Davao, Philippines and in helping to coordinate the local interfaith youth network. Though this involvement is still at its initial stages, the urgent demand for more awareness on the issue of peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue is being effectively raised by this forum. D. Subregional Training Program Catch the Vision, Live the Dream Southeast 1 Youth Ministers Regional Meeting / April 2009 Youth Desk organized the first subregional youth ministers training for the countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. There were 25 national and diocesan youth animators who took part in the workshop. The 5- day program covered essential components (evangelization, catechesis, community building, leadership and social action) in youth ministry, youth ministry program planning and capacity building sessions. Bp. Rolando Tria Tirona led the team that facilitated the entire process.
10 E. Publications 1. Youth Ministry in Asia: Reliving the Emmaus Story 2 nd Bishops Institute for Lay Apostolate on Youth (BILA) A compilation of the proceedings and papers of the 2 nd BILA on Youth was published through this book. This is a resource tool for youth ministers in Asia interested to study the journey of youth ministry in the region. The papers are also valuable for formation of youth leaders and ministers. 2. Asian Catholic Youth and the Eucharist Regional Survey / 2007-2009 The Youth Desk spearheaded a regional youth survey on the Eucharist. Conducted in preparation for the FABC General Assembly on Living the Eucharist in Asia, the survey aimed at studying Asian youth s knowledge, participation and living out of the Eucharist in their daily realities. It was published in a book entitled Asian Youth and the Eucharist: A Regional Survey. This was officially launched in the IX FABC Plenary Assembly in August 2009. The results were also presented in the AYD and AYMM held in the Diocese of Imus in November 2009. In addition, after a round table discussion with some experts from different sciences and ministries, resource papers on the results of this survey will be made available in the hope that the Church can take a more serious look at the urgent demand for more effective catechesis and pastoral care to our children and young people.
11 F. Exposure /Exchange Programs This year, youth from the Archdiocese of Hamburg came to the Philippines for exposure and immersion. The Youth Desk organized and coordinated the whole program. This has also been done for individual youth animators/leaders coming to the Philippines for the same purpose. Aside from the network established between Hamburg and the Philippines, the whole project also provided a new avenue for educational exchange programs between Europe and Asia. This responds to the greater need for young people to be active agents in evangelization as well as being trained through the exposure opportunities. Diocese of Hamburg Youth Exposure - wirh the Peacemaker s Circle Youth G. Subregional Meetings 1. Southeast 1 As a follow-up to the first subregional training, the Youth Desk met with representatives of Southeast 1 to plan for a 3 year program for the its national youth commissions /offices and ministers. This was held in August 25-26 in Bangkok. With similar contexts, the countries agreed to focus more on providing formation for national level youth animators (priests, religious and lay) as well as assisting in raising awareness about youth ministry in the local settings. Southeast Asia 2 Bangkok, Thailand
2. South Asia 12 Youth Desk also participated in the subregional planning and coordination meeting for South Asia held in Kathmandu, Nepal last October 5-7, 2009. With full attendance of all member countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal), it was a good opportunity to give an update on the youth ministry status of each country. Likewise, plans such as a regular South Asian newsletter and a South Asian Youth Day were discussed. The body decided to carry on whatever has been discussed facilitated by the Indian Youth Commissions as well in collaboration with the Youth Desk. H. Other Meetings 1. WYD Preparatory Meeting In April, Youth Desk was invited once more to participate in the WYD preparatory meeting held in Rome. Youth Desk was invited to report on the on the effects and impact of WYD in youth ministry in Asia 2. National Youth Coordinating Council Meeting Philippines and others The Youth Desk was invited to present the journey of youth ministry in Asia to various groups in preparation for the Asian Youth Day and Asian Youth Ministers Meeting. Among these groups were the NYCC that met last April as well as the seminary community of the Diocese of Imus. 3. FABC IX Plenary Assembly and other related meetings Youth Desk participated in the FABC assembly held in Manila last August 2009 as well as meetings organized for the Office of the Laity and Family for planning and coordination. Youth Desk functions with the help of the Youth Desk coordinating body (composed of regional youth minister representatives) and the Youth Desk team (composed of catechists, youth ministers in different settings and youth leaders from youth movements/organizations). Joy Candelario FABC-OLF-Youth Desk