Description
“We don't come out of a crisis the same as we were before. We emerge from it better or worse, but never the same.”
Pope Francis
200 young adults coming together to live their faith in action.
1st International youth gathering
It's the "Next Step" pedagogy : The programme is very diverse, the elements of which are optional, making it possible to be both a place for first steps in faith for some, and of real spiritual growth for others.
This summer, it will extend to Budapest, with the same desire to evangelise the peripheries, but with a different approach, closely related to the issues of our time and the fractured areas of our societies.
Our Vision
Faced with the public health, economic, social and environmental crisis we are facing, we have a choice: do we look for solutions in the traditional patterns that govern our societies, or do we dare to dream and create something new, a world in which the global and the particular count, a world in which every individual can regain his or her dignity as a child of God?
More than ever, our world needs builders of peace, hope and fellowship. More than ever, it needs men and women from all cultures and nations to come together to ask themselves the same question: what kind of change do I want and how can I be a part of it?
At the heart of Europe, with young people from all over the world, we want to build a vision for our common future!
Let's discover the teaser !
For who?
For young adults between 18 and 33 years old.
Training at the heart of the Festival
- Europe : memory & future
- The cry of the poors
- The cry of the earth
- Art & Politics
- Leadership & Holy Spirit
For more information, please visit the event's website:
https://welcometoparadise.fr/en/changemakers/
Discover the speakers
These speakers will accompany and nourish with their words the young people present at " Changemakers ". Here is a small sample:
- Noémie Paté : Lecturer and researcher in sociology, and Director of the ‘International Action and Solidarity’ Master’s degree at the Catholic Institute of Paris.
- PFather François Michon : International Leader of the Chemin Neuf Community
- Bob Ekblad : Pastor of the Presbyterian Church USA, Doctor of theology on Old Testament, chaplain at Skagit Prison, Robert Ekblad is executive director of Tierra Nueva and the People's Seminary in Burlington, Washington.
- Bishop János Székely : Roman catholic Bishop of Szombathely (Hungary), involved in the pastoral care of Gypsy minorities
- Bishop Zoltán Balog : Pastor of the Reformed Church and a former politician, he is now Bishop of Dunamellék (Hungary).
- Ewa Smuk-Stratenwerth : Founder of the Ziarno Ecological and Cultural Association which fights against the growing gap between urban and rural populations in Poland.
- Father Csaba Böjte : A Franciscan Catholic Priest, founder of the Saint Francis of Deva Foundation for the safeguarding and socialisation of street children and abandoned children in Deva (Romania).
- Imre Habsourg : President of the European Fraternity, Great grandson of Emperor and King, Blessed Charles of Habsburg, Businessman.
The complete list of speakers can be found on the event's website.
A project led by…
The Chemin Neuf Community
The Chemin Neuf Community was born out of a prayer group in 1973 in Lyon, France and is a Catholic community with an ecumenical vocation. Today, it has nearly 2000 members in some thirty countries. Couples, families, consecrated celibate men and women have chosen the adventure of community life in the footsteps of Christ, poor and humble, in order to serve the Church and the world. The spirituality of the community is rooted both in the Ignatian tradition and in the experience of the Charismatic Renewal.
The Chemin Neuf Youth Mission
The Youth Mission is the proposal of the Chemin Neuf Community for young people aged 18 to 30. Present in several countries, it organises events throughout the year: weekends, retreats, Christian formation, worship evenings, etc. It accompanies young people over several years to enable them to grow in their personal relationship with Christ.
The Changemakers team works in close collaboration with the youth missions of the different European countries, in order to offer a programme adapted to the reality of those it serves. Students or young professionals meet brothers and sisters of the community regularly to build this new project together.
The Chemin Neuf Politics Fraternity
The Chemin Neuf Politics Fraternity brings together young people aged 18 to 35 from different countries and political backgrounds, animated by the same passion for the common good and the poor, and wishing to act in politics according to the heart of God. They seek to listen to the Holy Spirit and experience fellowship, and meet several times a year for formation weekends.
Our Budget
The funds raised will cover the costs of setting up the program and allowing as many young people as possible to participate:
- To invite and pay for the different speakers = €10 000.
- Lights and sound system = €2 000.
- Communication = €1 000
- Solidarity = €2 000 (to allow young people in financial difficulty to to participate in the event).
TOTAL = €15.000
We have set our first goal at €10 000€!
The contribution to the costs from the participants of the gathering will allow us to cover the costs of accommodation, food and infrastructure, up to €20 000€.
