| The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Young People in the Ecumenical Movement (YPEM) convened in Manila, Philippines, marking the start of its first in-person meeting since its formation. The gathering, scheduled from 13-19 November, unites young ecumenical leaders from around the globe with a mission to amplify youth voices, address pressing global and local challenges, and establish intentional, actionable strategies for youth-led faith initiatives. |
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 | | Members of the Youth Commission gathering for their first in-person meeting in Manila, Philippines. Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos |
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In his welcome remarks, Pastor Jon Dave Angeles, Vice Chair for youth from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) addressed the audience saying that “I believe that it is essential for us as young people to amplify our voices not just within our local communities, but also in our churches and councils, so that we can truly embody our role as leaders.” The overarching objective of the weeklong meeting is to strengthen the commission’s role in the ecumenical movement by reinforcing its foundation and guiding members toward effective collaboration. Throughout the gathering, participants will re-examine the role of young people within the WCC, focusing on their unique contributions as faith-driven advocates for justice, reconciliation, and unity. Discussions will explore the mandates of the WCC 11th Assembly and the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, aligning the commission’s mission with broader ecumenical goals. Karen Erina Puimera, YPEM moderator, who is from the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia, expressed that “the in-person meeting brings a whole different vibe and message. In the past months, we've been connecting online, whether through teleconference or social media, but being here face-to-face is different. When we share our stories and experiences in person, it feels like we're building a stronger sense of unity and understanding. Even though we're young leaders from around the world that represent our local contexts, coming together here feels like we're part of one fellowship, one family under the Young People in the Ecumenical Movement commission.” Puimera added: “Even with our differences, we’ve found a common ground on issues we’re all facing, both global and local. By being open about our vulnerabilities rather than ignoring them, I think we’re creating genuine connections and building resilience together, pushing back against injustices that impact young people. Although we come from such diverse backgrounds, we share the same vision of creating a fellowship that’s meaningful and relevant to young people, and at the same time it is also rooted in and growing through Christ’s love.” To build unity and camaraderie among commission members, sessions will include team-building activities, biblical-theological reflections, and group discussions on WCC structures and programs. Members will engage in a “pilgrimage encounter” with faith-based organizations and local ecumenical churches, providing a firsthand experience of justice and unity efforts in action. “I am grateful to be part of this gathering as a member of the youth commission, representing the Romanian Orthodox Church. Through my involvement in the various activities of this meeting, I hope to collaborate with other young people to identify our shared vision regarding our role within the church and in society, as well as the role of Christianity in today’s world. However, we must always remember that the Christian way of transforming the world is not an exterior one, through activism and revolution, but through the inner transformation of each person according to the model of Christ. This personal transformation naturally leads to the transformation of the world,” expressed Dr Cosmin Iulian Cîrstea, assistant professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology and Educational Sciences in Târgoviște. |
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 | | Youth Commission members and other ecumenical friends demonstrate their commitment to a world without sexual and gender-based violence. Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos |
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A primary focus of the meeting will be to outline strategies for youth-led activities and advocacy projects for 2024-2026. Leadership roles, working groups, and key responsibilities will be designated, with plans to establish vice moderators and regional coordinators as needed. By week’s end, the commission aims to finalize action plans that will support faith-based, youth-led initiatives across regional and global contexts. During his welcome remarks, Dr Mathews George Chunakara, general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, highlighted the important role youth are now playing in terms of shaping and moulding the future of their societies. “Young people are proving that they can contribute to making significant changes and this has been proven globally, through their abilities and pioneering efforts. They are increasingly being instrumental in fostering global citizenship and connecting integrated societies. However, what is lacking now is young people’s active participation in churches and in the ecumenical movement. How can churches encourage their participation and leadership? Local congregations should be more systematic with encouraging and nurturing youth leadership at a local, national, regional, and global scale, by instilling a sense of responsibility and providing opportunities for involvement within their congregations,” said Chunakara. |
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 | | A choir from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) singing during the opening worship of the Youth commission meeting. Photo: Mark Anthony N. Cuyos |
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Ms. Minnie Anne Mata-Calub, General Secretary of the NCCP, warmly encouraged the young people in her welcoming remarks, saying: “You are uniquely positioned to be catalysts of transformation within both the church and the world. You represent a generation that not only understands diversity but embraces it, seeking to make it a source of strength. You view unity not as uniformity, but as an enriching collaboration that allows you to express your faith in ways that include and uplift everyone.” The youth commission will also address key challenges facing young people in diverse global contexts, with an eye toward developing practical strategies to meet these challenges head-on. Acknowledging these realities will inform the commission’s planning, which includes strategies for virtual engagement in 2025 by region and by working groups, ensuring continuity and adaptability in their work. “The commission will serve until 2030; it is imperative to establish strong connections with one another. On the first day, the youth commission will share their personal ecumenical experiences, their church's context, and their country's context. Building relationships will not only be limited to the commission members, but will also extend to the ecumenical youth in the Philippines, the national council of churches, and involve experiencing the journey of walking with the communities they encounter during the pilgrimage exposure,” said Abigayle Bolado, WCC programme executive for Young People in the Ecumenical Movement. Bolado added that the commission will delve into what the pilgrimage signifies to them and its role in the ecumenical movement. Outcomes of this in-person gathering are expected to include well-defined strategies and leadership roles within the commission, a solidified foundation of fellowship among members, and a strengthened commitment to youth-driven ecumenical advocacy. As they work together through 2030, the youth commission is committed to producing innovative, impactful programs that inspire young people in the ecumenical movement to lead with faith and purpose. “The Manila gathering of the YPEM builds on a collective sense of calling among young people. They meet to discern, define, and deploy youth-initiated activities that they have been anticipating while working together online. Their gathering in person makes real again the shared journey of being formed as people who will form communion among themselves, with their churches, and the world,” said Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity, Mission, and Ecumenical Formation. Nalwamba added: “The WCC 2023-2030 strategic focus on the agency of young people is not by chance. It is thanks to the collective voice of young people at the WCC 11th Assembly. They put their gifts forward as disciples of Christ who are called, and moved by Christ’s love to contribute to the common witness of churches in the world today. The Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity is the richer for the youth-initiated activities that will emerge from this commission meeting.” Learn more about the Young people in the ecumenical movement |
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