|
The agency of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster for Interreligious Dialogue |
| Home | Events | Newsletter | About WIF | The Team | Resources |
Gathering of
Youth for Unity
and
young Hindus of
Shanti Ashram
Further information may be found at http://live.focolare.org/rpu/
www.supercongress2009.in
and http://teens4unity.net.
Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 63 – September 2009
India: 2000 young people gather for peace and dialogue
Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs from all over the world gathered for six days, from 7-12 August 2009, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in Southern India to take part in an international and inter-religious event organised jointly by Youth for Unity (YU), a youth branch of the Focolare Movement and the Hindu Shanti Ashram, a movement inspired by and based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Supercongress 2009 was the fifth international gathering of Youth for Unity and for the first time it took place outside Rome. A group of nine young people from Britain aged between thirteen and seventeen took part. They had a spiritually fruitful and culturally enriching experience.
On the first day, they all gathered together in the auditorium of the Kumaraguru College of Technology in Coimbatore. The organisers of both movements were on stage to greet and welcome everybody. Representatives of College and the Mayor of Coimbatore were also present. The words of Vinu (Shanti Ashram) and Nadia (YU) expressed what each person had in their hearts: that a united world was already present among them. A very significant moment was the lighting of the lamp for the opening of this event according to Hindu tradition. The lamp also symbolised the mutual love needed to build unity with everyone.
The next day, The Supercongress opened with an inter-religious moment of reflection, followed by songs, dances and experiences of the different countries. Over two thousand young people were present. Besides the Hindus and Christians of India, who planned the event, and a large multinational group of Christian Youth for Unity, there were Christians and Muslims from Jerusalem, Christians and Sikhs from Ireland, and Muslims and Christians from the Philippines and Holland. The message of Maria Emmaus Voce, president of the Focolare Movement, found a great resonance in the hall: 'Do unto others whatever you would have them do to you...this, the Golden Rule, is the secret that will allow you to find happiness and then take it to others'.
After lunch, the Sports for Peace team organized games, which gave everyone a chance to meet more new people, and though coming from different cultures and not speaking the same languages, it was possible to live out the golden rule through team building games and sports.
In the evening, there was more dancing, singing and enthusiasm. The experiences of breaking down religious barriers given by young Sikhs from Ireland and a young Muslim from the Philippines were particularly moving.
On the Sunday, the young people were divided into small groups to visit local Indian families. They spent half a day immersed in the Indian culture learning many things like taking off their shoes before entering the house and tasting different Indian foods and dishes, all served on a banana leaf. Some visited local places of worship with their families, where they experienced first-hand the religious life of a very spiritual people.
Later, at the Avinashilingam University for Women, the YUs, students of the University and all the guests who had arrived for the occasion, joined together for an inter-religious open air moment, during which they made a pact committing themselves to foster peace.
Back at the main auditorium, they listened to talks by political and religious leaders followed by traditional and contemporary Indian dances and music.
On 10th August, there were workshops on how to build a united world. This was another occasion to get to know each other better and become more aware of their responsibility to transform the world together.
The next day, they went to the rural villages in the area, where they visited schools, places of worship, and various cottage industries. One group visited a dam and reservoir which had been built by the local people.
On 12th August, the concluding ceremony was held. The young people shared some of the impressions of the Supercongress and a number of dignitaries spoke, including Mrs Minoti Aram, President of the Shanti Ashram and Dr Abdul Kalam, a former President of India.
The days spent in Coimbatore were not always easy, having to adjust to a very different climate and culture. However, despite all these difficulties, for the young people, it was the experience of a lifetime entering into another culture, of great educational value and one which helps promote peace and universal harmony.
Adapted from an article by Lorraine Reade, Mike Robinson and Joy Watters in New City magazine.
Return to top Go to Newsletter Index
