Young Christian Workers (YCW) in England and Wales are currently hosting the two-week long YCW International Congress at Alton Castle, in Staffordshire. The event opened on Saturday, August 25. This is the first time it has been held in England.
Delegates include members from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East including Cambodia, China, Dubai, Mali, Senegal and the Dominican Republic.
As athletes have been going to London from around the world this year, to celebrate the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence, young leaders are meeting to live out those values and grow together in international solidarity and mutual understanding.
The Congress is an International leadership training programme, which will help build worldwide awareness and solidarity based on the values of the Gospel and Church teaching.
It provides a practical means for young people to become Christian leaders in their life and society and a chance for them to commit to personal, national and international action.
Phil Callaghan, National President of the YCW in England and Wales said, "I am delighted that we have the honour of hosting this exciting Congress. It is a unique chance for our members to share in global solidarity on a personal and practical level."
During the middle weekend of the Congress, teenagers from Impact groups will come to Alton to meet delegates and learn more about the international reality of the YCW movement.
The YCW in England and Wales is part of the International Coordination of Young Christian Workers based in Rome. The YCW works in over 60 countries and has over a million members.
They are regularly in contact with three million young people. The YCW was founded in Belgium by Fr (later Cardinal) Joseph Cardijn in 1928. Every four years they meet for an International Congress.
The YCW is an organisation for young people run by young people promoting their dignity and worth.
The YCW believes that each young person is worth more than all the gold in the world and is committed to the principles of the Gospel, seeking to be at the service of all the young.
The YCW has two age ranges: 'Impact' is aimed at secondary school children (13-17 year olds) while YCW is aimed at 16-30 year olds.