An Ecumenical Camp for Youth Leadership Building
Developing Youth Skills Towards Healthy Societies
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
They are the backbone of societies and an essential part for building a brighter future. They are also a source of vitality, health and well-being... They are the youth, carrying many energies and creativity with which they may benefit their communities and societies. However, young people today, in light of all the development that the world is witnessing amidst a wave of conflicts, are exposed to many challenges and difficulties that may limit their usual activity. Therefore, it has become necessary to care for them, educate them, develop their abilities, and protect them from all the pressures that surround them.
Hence, and in the context of supporting the youth, a new program was launched entitled “Youth Leadership Building”, which is a joint project organized by the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in partnership with Kerk in Actie (KIA) organization, Bible Society, Youth for Christ (YFC), and Ithraa Center in Lebanon. The program aims to develop youth skills, motivate them to serve, and train them on the foundations of leadership. It also contributes to the formation of youth networks capable of making positive change in their communities.
The first phase of the program, which consists of four phases, was implemented through an Ecumenical youth camp between 2 and 7 September 2024, at the Monastery of Our Lady of Consolation for the Jesuit Fathers, Taanayel - Lebanon. The camp included 35 youth and 12 dedicated leaders from various Church Families. They all expressed their joy at gathering together and how much they had benefited from the program prepared for them, looking forward to participating in future camps.
This camp included various morning Prayers, especially the “Season of Creation” Prayer, during which participants accompanied each other in praising and glorifying God the Creator, and thanking Him for all His blessings. They also participated in dynamic sessions on leadership, which aimed to enhance knowledge about leadership skills in dealing with crises. This is in addition to spiritual workshops centered around service and based on the personality of Jesus Christ as a Servant Leader, as well as on characters from the Holy Bible, like Abraham, Moses, Esther and Peter.
The camp was also an opportunity to exchange opinions and experiences, as the youth listened, through sessions entitled “My Story,” to personal testimonies provided by some leaders about their leadership journeys, which inspired the listeners and motivated them to work and serve. It also included a group of interactive games and recreational activities that brought the participants closer together.
The camp was dominated by an atmosphere of familiarity and fraternity, where the youth shared their experiences and aspirations in an Ecumenical spirit full of joy, hope. They insisted on solidarity and cooperation in order to transfer the knowledge they had acquired to their friends and thus work together to build a better world.
