Youth at the 8th Assembly Approximately 15% of the 1000 assembly delegates are youth (i.e. between the ages of 18 and 30). Although this is lower than the 25% target which the churches set for themselves, this is still a higher level of youth participation than at any previous WCC assembly! In addition, young people will be actively present as advisors, visitors, co-opted staff and representatives of affiliated organisations. All young people have been invited to PAYE. Additionally, the 8th Assembly Stewards Programme will gather 175 young people selected from a wide range of churches, countries and contexts to experience the assembly and contribute in various ways to the smooth-running of the event. Stewards will participate in PAYE for the first two days before moving on to the Stewards' orientation. Special guests from Zimbabwe, sixty all together, have also been invited to attend as representatives of their churches. An additional thirty local youth will be present as hosts, facilitating logistical arrangements.

Youth advocating for increased representation at the 6th Assembly in Vancouver, Canada. WCC photo: Peter Williams

Pre-Assembly Youth Visits
Fifty youth delegates and stewards will have the opportunity to participate in visits to South Africa and Zimbabwe between 24 and 27 November. The purpose of these visits is, on the one hand, to offer participants a wider exposure to and impression of Africa including church and cumenical life, and on the other hand, to build bridges between ecumenical youth from different regions in preparation for the assembly and beyond. Two groups of ten will be hosted in Johannesburg in a programme coordinated by the South African Council of Churches. In Zimbabwe, three groups will be hosted by the Zimbabwe Student Christian Movement (in Bulawayo), by the Zimbabwe YMCA (in Tanda and Nyanga) and by the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (in Masvingo).

From PAYE to the Assembly - and Beyond!
At the assembly various issues related to youth will be discussed and PAYE participants can be expected to be actively involved. The work of the WCC Youth Team in the past seven years will be evaluated and new commitments to youth participation and integration will be sought. Young people will serve on all Assembly Committees and will moderate the second phase of Hearings. Padare offerings by young people are also anticipated to be highlights. The Youth Tent (with displays) and the Youth Cafe will be additional meeting points for and with youth during the assembly.

Theme: "From Generation to Generation"

The theme of PAYE is drawn from the above Bible passage which describes the importance of intergenerational relations. "From Generation to Generation" explores and affirms the process of faith transmission. As young people we are challenged to receive faith traditions and identities from our elders, to refashion that for ourselves in our time and to pass it on to future generations. The theme presentation will highlight three aspects of this process:

• Memory: We all have memories of the past, and in some way we also remember what the future is supposed to be like. Yet, generations are not homogenous so different memories exist, even among youth. Part of the ecumenical and intergenerational challenge is to bring together different memories of the same events. Memories give us identities which allow us to participate in the forming of the future.
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The parable of the prodigal son underlies the need for forgiveness and reconciliation between older and younger generations and among different societies toward a common understanding and vision.
• Power: Different kinds of power exist at all levels. How do the structures of the church/society deal with vulnerable people? Are the structures of church/society responding to young people in their midst? How will we make positive use of our power?

Stewards Programme The Stewards Programme is an intentional ecumenical learning programme which promotes ecumenical consciousness and global solidarity at major meetings of the WCC. The 8th Assembly Stewards Programme consists of a three-day orientation programme followed by a 14-day period in which stewards assist in the smooth running of the assembly. Stewards' tasks will be in the areas of assembly administration, plenary hall servicing, communication, documentation and worship. The 8th Assembly Stewards Programme in Harare, 28 November to 15 December, will bring together 175 young people from around the world. They will bring with them their differences - in terms of nationality, confession, culture, language, and personality - as well as their common commitment to unity and the ecumenical movement. The Stewards Programme will challenge and reward participants. It will be an experience of growth - as individuals and as a community of international ecumenical youth.

Amy Basken (Canada) and Godwin Hlatswayo (Zimbabwe) -- Stewards at the 1987 Central Committee meeting. WCC photo: Peter Williams

The Stewards Programme is held on an annual basis. Applications are now available for the Central Committee 1999 Stewards Programme which will take place in Geneva ,20 August - 4 September, 1999.