ETHIOPIA: Ethiopia has hosted the International Congress of Young Christian workers (ICYCW)
Catholic Bishops have from 19th – 23rd of July 2021 hosted the 10th Congress of the International Coordination of Young Christian Workers themed ‘In search of better life, Migration of Young people Seeking a New Beginning’ at the Conference’s General Secretariat.
The International Secretariat of the ICYCW first met with the local YCW Ethiopia Members from 16th to 17th of July and celebrated a Holy Mass together aimed at closing the association’s local meeting and opening of the International Congress.
The Holy Mass was led by Cardinal Berhaneyesus, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia while the Bishop of the Eparchy of Bahirdar-Dessie and former Chaplain of the YCW Ethiopia Bishop Lisanuchristos concelebrated.
During the official opening ceremony of the international congress, Mr. Birhanu Sinamo President of International Secretariat and Mr. Tesfu Minale President of YCW Ethiopia welcomed all the participants and gave keynote speeches which explained the theme of the international congress.
Due to the current situation of Covid -19 pandemic, the congress was held virtually through Zoom and over 70 participants from all over the world joined including the International Secretariat, former members, chaplains and current members of the Young Christian Workers Association.
Among other things, the general assembly discussed ways in which young people can work and live better lives and reduce human trafficking and migrations. Participants from international and local partner organizations shared different experiences regarding the theme.
At the end of the General Assembly, the coordinators from IYCW headquarters which is at the Vatican honored the new coordinators and elected new members. In the election, Izabelle Lekou, who was running for president from YCW France was elected for the next 4 years. Berhanu Sinamo, who has served for the past five years, and his coordinators handed over to the new coordinators. At the end of the conference, under the leadership of the chaplains, special blessings and prayers were offered for the new and former coordinators.
The congress concluded on July 23rd 2021 issuing resolutions and guidelines as an input of the association.
Meanwhile, in the past week from July 9-11, 2013, the 9th General Assembly of the Ethiopian Youth Catholic Workers’ Movement, a family of the International Christian Youth Movement, was launched. During the assembly they have elected the new Local Coordination Committee and it was concluded with Holy Mass on Sunday, July 11 at the St. Michael Center in Addis Ababa led by Cardinal Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel CM.
The association’s “See Judge and Act” method which highlights the importance of discernment continues to influence the lives of many young people positively. This was evidenced during the Congress as the participants widely discussed issues and shared their experiences.
