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The Big Hope was a unique congress for young people from all over the world, held at Liverpool Hope University from 4-11 June.
The objective was to bring together leaders of the future to consider the much needed inter-connection between personal integrity and public life and to consider the question of how to develop a humane global society.
Charlene Anne Rodrigues, an Indian Gen, living and working in Dubai, sent us this report.

High profile speakers

As the saying goes ‘all good things come to an end’, but such was not the reaction of delegates attending the Global Youth Congress 2008 at the Liverpool Hope University as they knew in their hearts this was only the beginning of a vision towards working for a better world and a brighter future.

After a week packed with discussions, workshops on global issues, fun, games, excursions, cultural activities and exchange of ideas, every delegate was able to see and experience something different like never before with youth from fifty eight different countries.

The congress saw some of the best speakers in their field of expertise, including Cherie Booth QC; Irish President, Mary McAleese; Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor; Archbishop of York, John Sentamu; the Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks; former Indian President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and many others whose ideas mainly revolved around human dignity in life, integrity in our workplaces, essence of humility, the importance of having greater goals in life and the determination to accomplish them.

Creating an atmosphere of love

The delegates ranged in age from eighteen to thirty five, and came from different social organisations, groups and universities. Of the six hundred or so young people present, forty of us were Gen, the young people of the Focolare Movement. The association of the Focolare Movement with Liverpool Hope University dates back many years and culminated in the award last January of an honorary doctorate to Chiara Lubich.

Indeed it was quite an experience to get together at the Congress with the Liverpool Hope students and others. Many Gen arrived at The Big Hope not knowing exactly what their role was, except that we had to love all those we came into contact with. Twenty two year old, Oliver Kennedy from St Helens said, ‘I was in a bit of a dilemma as to what exactly I could do at the Big Hope on being invited. When I arrived there I understood I had to create an atmosphere of love, by reaching out to people in the smallest ways possible.’
Hannah Lamont from Glasgow agreed, ‘We had to be selfless and fill in the gaps where required. At one point in time I found myself escorting the newly-arrived delegates to their rooms, which was indeed a great experience even if I was not a mentor. It was the best way of getting to know as many people and making them feel comfortable.’

Spread the light

One very special moment for us was when Prof. Gerald Pillay, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University invited all forty of us to have tea with him one afternoon. It was a simple, but very beautiful meeting, where we shared with him our experiences of The Big Hope. Mary Clare Luca, a pharmacology student from Toronto, said: ‘What struck me at the Big Hope was how youth from all over the world were trying to live for one another. In the Focolare, we see it as a part of our Gen lives, but this translated into something greater at The Big Hope. Also I realise it is not enough to only accept another religion, or culture, we have to embrace it as our own.’ Professor Pillay expressed his gratitude to the Gen for adding to the ethos and ambience of The Big Hope and gracing it with their presence. ‘You are the light that makes the universe shine. Take the same light and spread it in your places wherever you go,’ he said.

Besides the keynote talks from high-profile speakers, there were also various ‘strands’ or workshops on subjects as different as art, economics, dance and photography as well as forums in the different subject areas. Twenty five year old, Julie Johnstone from the USA, who works in Health Informatics, said, ‘We live in our own little world. This has opened our eyes to what’s happening in other continents as it is very easy to fall into a rut and get comfortable where we are. When I go back, the least I can do is build awareness. I feel now we will be able to immediately connect with our friends’ problems across the globe and do something about it.’

Only the start

Anne Deeney, from Glasgow, shared her experience on how living as a Gen at The Big Hope helped her to immediately make herself one with the other. ‘It’s encouraging to know people all across the globe are living the same ideal. Being a Gen gave me the strength and courage to reach out to people all the time, to put myself out there and interact with the ones I didn’t know by offering to do little acts of love for them,’ she said.
Many realised just how privileged they were to be able to go to university. Marianna De Sousa, a twenty three year old psychology student from Southampton said, ‘After attending a forum on Widening Participation in Higher Education, I felt I had taken education for granted, while people in countries such as Uganda or Romania do not have access to such facilities even if they want it.’

The Big Hope witnessed an infinite spirit of unity with people of all walks of life looking out for each other whether at a workshop, at breakfast, the chill zone, sport and excursions. Going back home certainly was not easy, but all the delegates knew a greater responsibility was ahead of them. Mary Clare said, ‘I feel it’s a huge responsibility and we need to recognise what can be done right away. The leaders had great faith in us and have given us the inspiration to share their wisdom and knowledge.’ ‘For sure we have a lot to live up to when we return to our countries. The congress was only the start,’ said Beverly Quadros, from India.

The youth together experienced a strong sense of commitment towards this one big dream. Giovanni Lo, from Toronto, commented, ‘At the congress it was beautiful to experience the affirmation that we are not alone. Together we have built this unity here for a common purpose, a common goal. This has also given me the courage to continue with my Gen life, as we were able to understand and learn that our ideals are similar. Working together at the forums made me realise how important it is to value different opinions, even if you disagree, and also the importance of building an idea together with everyone as one.’

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The Big Hope Declaration

At the end of the congress, the following declaration was signed by all the delegates:

Preamble
We are bound together in hope and vision.  Our vision is a more humane global society. Our hope makes it possible to hold on to this vision, even in the face of division, conflict and corruption.  This joyful Congress has been an effective sign that such a vision is achievable when we meet in common humanity.  We recognise that this transformation of society is not the work of a powerful few, nor is it the work of one continent or generation.  Therefore, we are committed to stirring up in others the hope for a society in which every individual is empowered to participate, and in which every individual takes responsibility for his or her neighbour.

Article 1
We commit to participating selflessly in society through public debate and dialogue and to encouraging and supporting others to recognise that individual personal responsibility is a vital element of developing a more humane and sustainable global society.  To change the world, we begin by changing ourselves.

Article 2
As future leaders in public life, business, education and culture, we commit to personal and public integrity and accountability, honesty and transparency of motive, and aim to uphold the highest standards of probity and respect for others.

Article 3
Through faith, ethical living, respect for the faith of others, and through intercultural dialogue, we renounce violence, and seek to be the voice of the voiceless and to uphold the values of peace, justice, love and mutual respect. 

Article 4
In a spirit of lasting friendship and appreciation for the shared experiences of the Congress, we commit to ongoing dialogue with each other and with leaders and public bodies in the countries where we reside and we look forward to reconvening in 2018 to review this declaration and to assess what we who have had this time together shall have accomplished by then.

 

 

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