The Words of the Davies Family
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The Words of the Davies Family |
The Religious Youth Service, a UPF affiliate, is organizing a 10 day residential program in Utrecht, July 7-16. The program is residential and full time, but Youth Service International (YSI), the local organizers, are also welcoming those who cannot make the full commitment.
"Crossing Cultures and Celebrating Diversity" - RYS Netherlands 2008, Utrecht, July 7-16 We invite you to take part in our upcoming ten day Religious Youth Service (RYS) project in Utrecht, The Netherlands, July 7-16. We want to bring together a group of 25 young adults between the ages of 18-30, from different countries, cultures and religions throughout The Netherlands and Europe, under the theme:
The RYS is a service-learning project with a special emphasis on building personal leadership and peacemaking skills through experiential service and inter-cultural dialog. Together with other youth and members from the local Utrecht community, you, as an RYS participant, will be involved in creating a community Peace Mosaic that will provoke inter-religious thought and stand as a lasting symbol of inter-cultural co-operation.
The RYS program incorporates many different activities within its schedule. The morning begins with meditation or a religious service that is offered by participants and staff representing different religious traditions; and is usually continued with the work project (creating the peace monument). The afternoon programs vary from sightseeing and visiting places of religious worship (including mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples and churches) to themed talks from guest speakers and educational seminars relating to the community and peace building. In the evenings we will have discussions and/or cultural performances, before closing the day with time for personal reflection.
In its 20-year history, RYS has often provided participants with the environment in which to realize their own hidden potentials. It has also given many an insight into how they could contribute actively to society at large when they return to their homes and communities. On behalf of RYS, we are excited to offer you the opportunity to spend 10 days living with an inter-cultural and inter-religious group and together deepen your understanding and appreciation of your own beliefs as well as those of others.
The participation fee of €100,00 will cover all activity costs, including food and accommodation. The fee could be this low because of Utrecht city government funding.
For more information regarding the RYS Netherlands 2008. We look forward to hearing from you!
PS. Guest speakers include:
Mon. 07, 17.00: Aziz Aarab, of Moroccan origin, Youth Worker and Project Manager in Kanaleneiland for the main Youth Culture centre, 'De Galecop' - www.jccgalec op.nl
Tue. 08, 19.30: Nanette de Jong, Dutch, with Indonesian connections, founder of NGO 'De Transparente Verbinding' (DTV), which creates projects to bring people closer together. //www.detransp aranteverbinding.nl. One of DTV's projects is Relizap, in which UPF has participated. It is hoped that the Relizap festival this Autumn, with similar themes to RYS Netherlands 2008, will attract some 4000 participants. www.transpar anteverbinding. nl/relizapp/ index.htm - www.transpar anteverbinding. nl/relizapp/ festival_ watis.htm
Wed. 09: 11.00: Raya Nunez, of Indonesian origin, married to a Spanish American, lecturer in Intercultural Communication at Hogeschool for Business and Management, Utrecht and author....
Tue. 15: 09.00 Greco Idema, founder of national inter-religious organizations 'Interreligieuze Werkplaats' - www.interrel igieuze-werkplaa ts.nl - and 'Reliflex' - www.reliflex.nl.
You may ask ‘why?’ One of the fundamental reasons is simply: we cannot accept the difference between us.
Many of us know what it feels like to express our religious beliefs and then be mocked, discriminated against or shamed. Now, picture an environment in which genuine interaction can occur; where our diverse beliefs and backgrounds are commonly appreciated; and strong, lasting friendships build bridges between our cultures.
This summer, ‘Religious Youth Service’ comes to Utrecht, to bring together young people from different countries, cultures and religions -- who are ready to make a change. The program will include educational workshops, inter-religious dialog, visits to various religious and cultural sites and guest speakers.
However, the main focus will not be talking about our differences, but working together with the common vision of creating an artistic, inter-cultural mosaic. Throughout the project, you will work closely with the community and we will close with a celebration including cultural performances and entertainment.
If you are aged 18-30 and want to know what a lifestyle of harmony and appreciation amongst religions really feels like, join us from July 7 to 16. We can make it happen if you can.