WYA Newsletters | April 2005
Dear Friends,
At the end of this month we pause in tribute to a great leader and “the eternal friend of youth”, Pope John Paul II.
John Paul II’s constant message to the world was “Do not be afraid.” In his own life he experienced the struggle and sorrow of the Nazi occupation of his homeland, Poland, followed by the oppression of the communist regime. He also experienced the triumph of the human spirit in the resistance movements during World War II and the Solidarity movement in Poland. As Pope, he was instrumental in the fall of communism.
John Paul II was unflinching in the face of the despair of the modern world and he never ceased urging the young, especially, to “build a culture of life” and “a world marked by greater solidarity and justice.”
Though we mourn his passing, his teaching and exhortation to young people still animates our hearts and we respond with all of the enthusiasm and creativity of our youth. It is our joy to honor and remember one who has taught the world so much about the dignity of each person both by word and example.
We look forward with great excitement to the leadership of his successor, Benedict XVI and extend our warmest welcome to him. We know that like John Paul II, he will be a defender and champion of the dignity of the person. The young people of the world embrace him with affection and confidence.
For a culture of life,
The World Youth Alliance
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“I feel an obligation to reaffirm vigorously that the intrinsic value and the personal dignity of every human being does not change no matter what the concrete situations of his life.”
~Pope John Paul II
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World Youth Day, Cologne Germany August 15-21, 2005
World Youth Day was created by John Paul II as a pilgrimage of young people and a festival of encounter and solidarity. Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, will return to his home country to welcome youth from every corner of the globe. World Youth Day has always been celebrated as an immense sharing of culture and faith. Germany will be no exception. In addition, the XX World Youth Day will be a truly momentous event as the new pontiff and about 400,000 registered participants come together!
The World Youth Alliance will be at World Youth Day, in a permanent site in Bonn and present among the crowds and at different venues throughout the week. The schedule of events at the permanent site is outlined below.
We are looking for young people to travel to Germany with us as World Youth Alliance Volunteers. Volunteers will spend the week with WYA staff members and young people and will help with Culture of Life events and parties, sign up new members of the WYA, assist in our training programs, and represent the World Youth Alliance among the many young people gathered.
We have already begun accepting applications. We have extended the deadline to Friday, May 13. There is still time! Applications are available on our website, under World Youth Day. Please contact your regional office for more details.
International Roundtable, August 16, 2005
WYA will host an international roundtable on the theme of “Human Dignity and Solidarity” on August 16, the second day of World Youth Day, at our permanent site in Bonn, Germany. Please note the date change. We will explore the questions, “Who is my neighbor?” “What implications does the dignity of the person have for relationships between persons and societies?” The Roundtable is by application only and will be limited to 60 participants.
We have already begun accepting applications. We have extended the deadline to Friday, May 13. Applications are available on our website, under World Youth Day. Please contact your regional office for more details.
WYA Schedule of Events at World Youth Day
Monday, August 15 Arrival of Young People to World Youth Day (WYD)
World Youth Alliance Volunteer training (by application only)
WYD Activities
Culture of Life Party (open)
Tuesday, August 16 WYA International Roundtable (by application only)
Introductory Program to WYA (open)
WYD Activities
Wednesday, August 17 WYD Activities
WYA symposium “Beauty, Art and the Dignity of the Person” (open)
Culture of Life Party (open)
Thursday, August 18 WYD Activities
Friday, August 19 WYD Activities
WYA Training “The dignity of the person in policy and culture” (open)
WYD Activities
Saturday, August 20 WYD Activities
Sunday, August 21 WYD Activities
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