Concept paper:

Ecumenical Creative Workshop
of Youth and Students in Asia and the Pacific

Theme: Justice and Peace Now!

Partnership Program:
•  Christian Conference of Asia
•  Hong Kong Christian Council
•  Ecumenical Asia Pacific Students and Youth Network (EASYNet)

25th -30th July 2011
Tao Fong Shan, Hong Kong

In order to harness and nurture the creative spirituality and youth fervor and restlessness for peace to transform society, CCA in partnership with EASYNet and Hong Kong Christian Council decided to organize a regional ‘Ecumenical Creative Workshop of Youth and Students’.

The main aim of the workshop is to nurture and sharpen the creative skills, theology and spirituality of the youth leaders and students who are actively involved to strengthen, revive, revitalize and mobilize grassroots ecumenical movement. The workshop will provide opportunities to share and hear stories and witness how Church youth leaders and students to use their creative talents in being catalyst of peace. This will certainly provide an unique opportunity to member Churches and Councils of CCA and form EASYNet partner organizations to involve in creating awareness in recognizing the creative prophetic spirituality of youth in Asia and the Pacific .This workshop is also a solidarity place to join hands with the secular youth groups/ movements to commemorate the UN declared ‘International Year of the Youth’.

Aims and Objectives:

• To create space/common platform for youth Church leaders/ students from Asia and the Pacific to articulate and demonstrate peace and justice concerns through alternative creative art forms.
• To enhance the artistic and creative skills and justpeace spirituality of the participants.
• To develop theological understanding to uphold and affirm life in its fullness in the context of an unjust society (world).
• To strengthen revive/revitalize Asian youth ecumenical networking and promote youth involvement in prophetic ministry of peace, justice, healing and reconciliation.
• To produce a resource material/book to mobilize and revitalize ecumenical youth groups in the grassroots communities and local Churches especially as we are commemorating UN declared International year of the Youth.
• To involve youth in decision making in strategizing various activities to strengthen Asian youth ecumenical movement like Asian Students Youth Gathering ASYG in 2012, various activities and programs of CCA and EASYNet Partner organization, Churches etc

Process, Components and Methodology of the Workshop:

• The participants will be exposed to various alternative art forms groups in Hong Kong to derive inspiration, skills, ideas, and perspectives to articulate their talents.
• Input and discussion on the theme and making creative alternative art forms in the form of workshop by resource persons and participants.
• Sharing of stories, skills, activities by the participants
• Creative Time - the participants will be facilitated and guided by specific resource persons to tap their own creative potentials to critically think and analyze the peace justice concerns and convey their spirituality and message through alternative art forms
• The participants will apply the guide lines by the resource persons and will be able to contribute their talents in various art forms.
• Collective critiquing and editing of all workshop materials done by the participants.

Expected Outcome:

• 20-25 Youth Church leaders and students from Asia pacific will be nurtured in discovering their creative forms of prophetic spirituality to wage peace and justice.
• Multiplying impact of similar workshops in local and grassroots communities due to initiatives taken by participants trained in collaboration and solidarity with sending organization or Churches/Councils
• Production of a resource book of worship liturgies, Bible studies, essay reflections, poems, songs, drawings, paintings and community building exercises for the celebration of AYSG, EASYNet Week and Asia Youth Week, also can be used in CCA Programs and activities which are reflective of student and youth responses for justice and peace.
• Enhancement of ecumenical networking and relationship among EASYNet member organizations and leaders.
• Increased knowledge and awareness about the various Youth ecumenical organizations that are EASYNet members and strengthened ecumenical networking in local communities.
• Ownership of youth ecumenical endeavors by CCA’s member Churches and Councils and sharing of human and material resources.