Prospectus 2009

January 9-11 2009Consultation “Europe, Art and Spirituality: Building up Intercultural Identity”Vienna, AustriaThis is the preparatory meeting for the conference “Europe, Art and Spirituality: Building up Intercultural Identity”, which will take place from 29 April to 5 May. The purpose of the meeting is for the hosting and preparatory committees to meet together in person, to better become acquainted with the conference venue, to network and create a database of various experts in relation to the themes and sessions, and to make other preparations. This meeting allows for leadership training for all young participants involved. The overall aims of the conference, planned during this meeting, include analysis of the interaction between art and religion and art and society, study of different European identities and their common ground, exploration of the use of art as an intercultural language, and the development of tools for intercultural dialogue.

February 2-3 2009Board meetingTrieste, ItalyA meeting between General Secretary, Chairperson, Vice-chair and the Treasurer will be held to ensure that all programmes are running as scheduled and foreseen, and to prepare items on the agenda of the forthcoming European Regional Committee meeting. The meeting aims also to secure the upcoming events and will be used for networking with local organisations and strengthening the relationship with the local movement, where we currently do not have strong contacts.

February 4-8 2009European Regional Committee (ERC) meetingTrieste, Italy

This is the first statutory and thematic meeting of the European Regional Committee of WSCF Europe in 2009. Along with reflecting and evaluating the past year and planning for the

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next year, the meeting in Italy will also give the committee an opportunity to visit the local student movement and to build stronger contacts in the member movement, giving the opportunity for movement building. This also addresses the ERC’s priority to focus more on southern European movement building and on the possibility of developing sub-regional activities there.

February 13 2009Universal Day of Prayer for StudentsAll over the world in over 105 countriesThe Universal Day of Prayer for Students (UDPS) is one of the longest established ecumenical events. The UDPS was first celebrated on Sunday 13th February 1898 at the second meeting of the General Committee of the World Student Christian Federation. The early leaders of the Federation called on Christian students around the world to join together in February each year for observance of the UDPS. During the World Wars, when it was impossible to hold WSCF meetings, the major bond of unity between those separated from one another by the ravages of war was the annual observance of the Day of Prayer for Students.For more than a century, students and friends of WSCF have observed this day as a way to express their common commitment as witnesses of our faith in God and in each other, to the world both inside and outside our academic communities.

February 12-15 2009NCC Winter Meeting "What Did Moses Say to a Giraffe? - Religious Humour: Not a Threat But a Tool" Espoo, FinlandThe annual winter seminar of the Nordic Sub-region of WSCF will deal with the topic of religious humour. Lately religious humour has become an increasingly important method of reflection on society's turbulences. The population in the Nordic countries today is more diverse than ever before, especially in religious beliefs. One way for both the native and the immigrant population to relate to the current situation is through humour. This border between sacred and funny has been frequently explored - and crossed - during the last few years. Visual humour about Islam has caused severe outbreaks and has even strengthened the related stereotypes of both Muslims and Christians. The positive sides of religious humour have been poorly explored due to the big debate on the negative

outcomes. Still, at its best, religious humour can be an excellent source of positive energy, new perspectives and genuine self-reflection – a tool for encountering and understanding the other. The aims of our seminar are to explore religious humour in its various forms and to look into its effects on societies; to create an understanding of the relationship between the sacred and the funny and how this varies in different contexts; and to recongise the potential of religious humour and to learn to use it in religious youth work.

February 13-19 2009Inter-regional Staff meetingGeneva, SwitzerlandThis is the annual gathering of the inter-regional staff. Meeting in Geneva, the headquarters of WSCF, provides the opportunity to meet ecumenical and organizational partners. In addition to this, the meeting offers the staff space for practical follow-up of events. Some time will be dedicated to planning for the future, movement building, and to the organization of the upcoming inter-regional programme hosted by Middle East Region.

February 18-22 2009CESR Winter Seminar “Modern Media: Innovations and Influences on Dialogue in Central Europe”Kremsmünster, AustriaThis annual thematic winter seminar of the Central European Subregion of WSCF will gather students from Central Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria) to discuss current issues of media, its interpretation and effect on both individual, national, and international identities. We seek to explore the current status and effects of contemporary models of media, from internet forums to printed news, focusing on how modern communication connects and enables European youth today in an increasing globalised world, but also on how it shapes and changes concepts of identity. As media forms change, and individual opinions can be spread across the globe via internet, society and the individual changes. When making decisions, as young people today, what is our role in relation to the media? How do we respond to media and in what way do we shape it? How does it affect our

individuality, nationality, or our dialogue with others from throughout the globe? Through facilitating intercultural dialogue between youth—future leaders—we hope to create a forum to study, compare, and discuss topics relating to the media and the role of youth in the media today. As youth, what is our role in today’s media? How do we interpret the constant influx of information? How does the media contribute to dialogue between cultures, etc? In interactive sessions, we desire to work together to over turn prejudices and creating a productive forum for understanding young people’s role in promoting positive changes in their respective communities and in a diversified Europe.

March 19-22 2009European Regional Staff meetingPrague, Czech RepublicThe staff meeting aims to train the coordinators of the local SCMs on current issues of WSCF. Staff from the student Christian movements (SCMs) across Europe will gather, to share movement reports, activities, and struggles, enabling them to better cooperate and network together, as well as to share news and helpful information.

April 24-26 2009Strategic planning meeting with EYCEBudapest, Hungary

Furthering our cooperation with EYCE (Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe), the board members of both organizations will meet together to both formally and informally discuss and plan future cooperations, fundraising, and events.

April 29 – May 5 2009European Regional Conference “Europe, Art and Spirituality – Building up Intercultural Identity”Vienna, AustriaGathering students from all over Europe, this conference will study the topic of art, religion and society and their interaction throughout history and potential as a tool for intercultural learning, sharing and dialogue. Art provides a medium and voice to examine European society, as well as to appreciate the beauty of the variety in this multinational continent. Artists cannot be indifferent to the world around them; their task is to question, to search for the

answers to various phenomena in society. Society cannot be indifferent to art, because it is an integral part of heritage, culture, and identity. The themes to be examined from the point of view of European cultural heritage include, i.e. discussion on various cultural identities and their common ground and influences; the impact of EU enlargement on the cultural identity of minorities and ethnic groups; art as an intercultural language, a means of universal expressions that everyone understands and the way art has been and can be used in society and religious institutions both positively and negatively. Examining the variety of cultural influences and expressions within Europe, the conference aims to promote intercultural dialogue and appreciation of diversity among young people in Europe, and to empower students to raise their own views through artistic mediums in society, as well as to be able to critically examine artistic influences and their use, becoming multipliers in their own communities. The conference will be hosted by the Austrian member movement and organised by the Culture and Higher Education interest group of WSCF Europe.

May 1-3 2009European Senior Friends meetingVienna, AustriaDuring the thematic student conference, former active members of WSCF Europe who want to remain involved in the life of WSCF-E by being resource persons, helping in fundraising or supporting various initiatives in their current networks will gather for the first intergenerational senior friends meeting in Europe. The aims of the meeting include planning and developing the network of senior friends in Europe and providing a forum for exchange between the current student generation and those of the past.

May 2009Consultation on “Gender, society and religion – Exploring Diversity in Expanding Europe” and the European Regional AssemblyBucharest, RomaniaThe preparatory committee for the next regional assembly will meet at the venue. The members of the preparatory team will meet with the local hosting organization. They will also use the opportunity to meet with ecumenical partners and to consult with various experts concerning the topic of the thematic conference organised prior to the Assembly.

May 22-24 200932nd German Church Days: “Mortal, where are you?”Bremen, GermanyKirchentag 2009 will be a forum for dialogue, a festival of encounters of faith and fellowship that will focus on what matters to people and on what moves Christians beyond denominational and national borders. Over 100 000 visitors are expected.The special thing about Kirchentag is that it is not planned “top down,” but that it grows “from below”. Almost half of all participants are also contributors. They are active in helping to plan the programme with music, theatre, performance art, worship services or in brass bands and choirs. Openness, on the one hand, and a clear Protestant profile, on the other, have always been the trademarks of the Kirchentag movement, and this will also be the case in Bremen in 2009. The German Student Christian Movement of WSCF, ESG, is contributing in many ways to the Kirchentag programme. Members of nearly all local ESGs and various international guests are planning their trips to Bremen. Different societal or church organisations will also introduce their work in Bremen. During Kirchentag, church and civic groups present their concerns at stands and demonstrate them through actions and events. The Swedish Student Christian Movement, KRISS, and the Norwegian Student Christian Movement, Forbundet, will also participate in the various programmes of Kirchentag.

May 28 - June 2 2009Young delegates pre-assembly for CEC General AssemblyThe Conference of European Churches will celebrate its 50th anniversary and gather for its 13th assembly in the summer of 2009. Prior to the assembly, CEC and its associated youth organisations, including WSCF-E, will organise a training meeting for the young delegates coming from different member churches in order to empower them to participate fully in the assembly.

May 2009Ecumenical Leadership training "Right to believe - right to be and to live: freedom of religion?"UkraineThe freedom of churches, religions and individuals in Central and Eastern Europe during the communist time was violated significantly on many levels. Even today, in practice and legislation,

religious freedom, an essential human right, is not respected in many societies, throughout the world and in Europe. In addition, there are many different, sometimes contradictory, concepts of religious freedom – one of the most arbitrary ones being the current law on religion in Belarus. What is the responsibility of students in response to this violation of human rights? In this training, WSCF will gather young student activists – current and future leaders – to dialogue and discuss the current situation together. Through activities, participants will identify current violations and will study how to work and campaign for the observance of this essential human right. By raising awareness, this training seeks to promote not only feelings but actions of solidarity crossing national lines and participation of young people in the civil societies, challenging students to work and campaign for religious freedom for themselves and their neighbours, and thus promoting a more peaceful and just Europe and world.

June 2009Global Executive Committee meeting and UNESCO 2009 World conference “The New Dynamics of Higher Education” Paris, FranceThe Executive Committee of the global WSCF meets in every 1,5 years. The Europe region is represented in the meeting by 4-5 persons. On top of the statutory meeting of the global federation, a training programme will be held. The meeting is the first meeting after the General Assembly of WSCF, held in August 2008, and the elections of the new Executive Committee. During the meeting the Committee will also participate in the UNESCO conference on Higher Education and do advocacy work on issues affecting students and their lives.

July (first week) 2009CESR Summer conferenceHungaryThis annual thematic summer seminar of the Central European Subregion of WSCF will gather students from Central Europe (Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria) to discuss and dialogue together about burning issues as a region within Europe. The topic has not yet been chosen.

July 2009Stewards' programme for the CEC AssemblyLyon, FranceDuring the Assembly a stewards programme for 50 young people will be organised by CEC and the associated youth organisations, whose expertise in organising youth projects has a crucial role in the programme. WSCF-E participates in the planning and implementation of the programme.

July 15-21 2009The General Assembly of Conference of European Churches “Called to One Hope in Christ”Lyon, FranceIn the assembly, CEC and its various commissions and member churches will reflect on its past and plan for its future work and participation in the European society. Its leadership for the next 6 years will also be elected. During the assembly CEC will also celebrate its 50th anniversary, and the merger between CEC and the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe.

July 2009NCC Summer meetingSwedenThe annual summer thematic winter meeting of the Nordic Cooperation Council, a subregion of WSCF, gathers students from local SCMs to discuss and dialogue together about burning issues as a region within Europe. The topic has not yet been chosen.

July 2009WESR summer programmeTáize, FranceThe Western European Sub-Region (currently United Kingdom and Germany), established in the summer of 2008, will organise a study trip to the Táize community in France. The aims of the programme include cultural exchange, further planning of the subregional cooperation, and contact building with the French Student Christian Movement and Táize movement.

July 2009Lingua Franca training seminar “Stop Being Silent”Serbia

Domestic violence is often hushed and hidden; its cycle is continued from generation to generation. Clichéd phrases and popular mentalities make light of it. Studies completed by the World Health Organization and the Council of Europe have shown that at least 25% of women experience some sort of domestic violence during their lifetime. Domestic violence affects not only women but also men and children.

What is domestic violence, how can you identify it, how can it be stopped? How can we prevent the cycle of abuse that permeates in our society? Are their traditional views or opinions in our societies that excuse domestic violence? Raising awareness about the signs, causes, and methods to overcome domestic violence is essential; silence about the issue merely perpetuates the cycle.

What can students and young people do to prevent domestic violence? In what forums and spaces can we speak out to raise awareness in our societies, churches and schools?

This training is the second part of WSCF Europe's 3-year project to combat domestic violence in Central and Eastern Europe.

August 3-10 2009Agape International Theological Camp "Revelation: a Word of Fears and Dreams or a Confrontation with the Reality?"Prali, ItalyFor one week, young people from every continent will gather for collective living, filled with interactive session involving intercultural readings of the Bible. This year, the focus will be on reading the book of Revelation: does this book suggest an escape from reality or give courage and hope when facing the contradictions of the present?

August 11-18 2009Agape International Political CampPrali, ItalyGathering young people from all over the world, the Agape Political Camp will continue discussing the topic of migration. Wars and famine, just to mention two of many actors, are forcing people to leave their homes and arrive legally or illegally, welcome or unwelcome, into other countries. The camp will study some political alternatives and proposals, concepts of "legality" and "illegality" and consider the reasons for immigration and the conditions of migrants in the country of reception, with special focus on people

who have escaped a disastrous situation in their home countries, such as from Iraq, or from African and Latin American countries.

August 30 – September 5 2009ESG International Students' Meeting “1989”Waldsieversdorf, Germany

As in past years, the International Ecumenical Student Meeting will take place in the summer in the beautiful town of Waldsieversdorf. The main aim of the meeting will be to facilitate exchanges between students from different countries in Europe. The learning and testing of new methods of international work and intercultural communication will be part of the meeting.

Summer months (June to September)Lingua Franca Leadership and Language Training CoursesUkraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Armenia, Balkans, Italy, France Lingua Franca is a Language and Leadership Training Project aimed at breaking down linguistic barriers between East and West and at assisting movement-building in Eastern and Central Europe. Participants in the courses will get the chance to improve their skills in a foreign language; course organisers will exercise and improve leadership and management skills; Western and Southern teachers will learn from direct experience about Eastern European realities. The language course will mainly take place in Eastern European countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus and Ukraine and the Balkans) where language training is highly needed in order to enable youth participation at international events.

In addition, student groups in Italy and France have requested to host language training courses, and these may take place in the Summer or Fall.

Summer 2009Inter-regional eventBeirut, LebanonFocusing on the annual theme (to be decided in late December 2008 - early January 2009) and on the questions and challenges of intercultural encounters and living together, students from Europe and from around the globe will gather in Lebanon for the WSCF Inter-regional conference, to be hosted by the Middle East region. This conference will look at the situations and issues facing

students from a global perspective, examining diverse approaches from the various regions of the world and allowing for intercultural dialogue and exchange. The Europe region of WSCF will participate in the planning and implementation of the programme, and will send 2 delegates from European member movements as participants.

October 4-6 and October 12 2009Regional Committee meetingBucharest, RomaniaPrior to the European Regional Assembly, the Regional Committee will gather for a meeting for final preparations of the statutory issues of the Assembly, and to report and evaluate the work done during their 2-year mandate. The first meeting of the new Regional Committee will take place immediately after the Assembly. The purpose of the meeting is to offer the members a space to meet each other and to get to know each other. The committee will shortly address the following topics: working plan 2010-2011, solidarity conference 2010, Edinburgh Mission conference 2010, and the theology conference 2010.

October 6-11 2009WSCF regional conference “Gender, society and religion – Exploring Diversity in Expanding Europe”Bucharest, Romania

Issues of gender and gender equality touch us at the very core of our existence as gendered beings. Our daily lives, identities and social structures, with their possibilities and limits, are all shaped by our conception of gender. As a result of migration and globalisation, Europe is becoming more heterogeneous, multi-religious and multi-cultural. Traditional conceptions of gender roles are in flux. This situation brings great challenge and promise for European citizens, communities and institutions, examining how all can live together in peace, respect, and dignity. Living together requires understanding that comes through dialogue. Promoting tolerance of different gender identities and sexualities is crucial. We need to analyse experiences related to definitions of gender in modern Europe.

To address this topic, WSCF will organise a thematic conference in Romania, gathering students from throughout Europe study and dialogue together about these issues. The conference will

be hosted by our member Romanian student movement, ASCOR – Iasi.

October 11-13 2009WSCF European Regional AssemblyBucharest, Romania

The European Regional Assembly (ERA) will meet following the thematic conference. The ERA is the highest decision-making body of WSCF Europe. At this statutory meeting, the activities of the Europe region for the past 2 years will be evaluated and the activities and vision for the next 2 years will be planned. A new European Regional Committee will also be elected.

November 2009Board meetingIrelandA meeting between General Secretary, Chairperson, Vice-chair and the Treasurer will be held to ensure that all programmes are running as planned. The meeting aims also to secure upcoming events and will be used for networking with local organisations and strengthening the relationship with the local movement, where we currently do not have strong contacts.

December 2009Consultation for the Solidarity Conference 2010Portugal

This is the preparatory meeting of the solidarity conference, taking place in spring 2010. The purpose of the meeting is to better become acquainted with the conference venue, for the hosting and preparatory committees to better network and create a database of various experts of the field, and for other preparations. This meeting allows for leadership training for all young participants involved.

InternshipsRachael Weber from Virginia, USA, works in the regional office through an ecumenical voluntary organization, the “Brethren Voluntary Service.” Her tasks include the various aims of the publications coordinator (editing Mozaik, etc.). The other half of her time goes to coordinating the ecumenical leadership training

programme Lingua Franca, aiming at developing young leadership, and especially the leadership of young women.

PublicationsMozaik (established in 1992) is the Ecumenical Journal of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF, 1895) Europe Region, and comes out two or three times a year. It aims to reflect the wide variety of opinions and points-of-view present among the different Student Christian Movements in dialogue. The contributors are all attached to national Student Christian Movements, representing various Christian denominations (Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic).

An informative electronic newsletter comes out at least 4 times a year. One can subscribe to the list by sending an email to the regional office.

The Central European Sub-Region will publish its annual anthology, following the themes of the conferences.