³East-West Intercultural Youth Dialogue and Mutual Understanding² This workshop held from January 28-February 3, 2007 in Saydnaya, Syria, was announced in our previous issue of the NewsBrief. It aimed at exploring way s and means of advocating for the dialogue of cultures, rather than conflict. Focusing on existing cultural and religious pressures that challenge the presence of Christian youth in the Middle East, the workshop identified their role in the dialogue of cultures worldwide.
A Communiqué issued at the end of the activity states that youth from Europ e and the Middle East who came together with different expectations and fears , were enriched by the encounter and the challenging program prepared by the MECC Unit on education and Renewal. They celebrated together their differen t traditions and cultural customs.
Following this shared experience, participants recommended to start themselves by being messengers of change, to build ³networks of trust¹ and exchange information, to follow up on conferences and intercultural dialogue, to organize community meetings, multiply learning in their respective contextual situation and educate themselves and others to respec t and accept other cultures and beliefs. For further information contact Mr. Razek Siriani: rsiriani@scs-net.org, www.meccyouth.org <http://www.meccyouth.org/> . The Communiqué is posted on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org <http://www.mec-churches.org/
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/