PCT Youth Ministry reflects on 2011 ecumenical programs’ successes and lessons

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

3113 Edition

October 24-30, 2011

General Assembly News

PCT Youth Ministry reflects on 2011 ecumenical programs’ successes and lessons

Reported by Sam Lee

Written by Lydia Ma

Ecumenical exchanges have always been at the forefront of PCT Youth Ministries 
and 2011 has been a busy and exciting year for ecumenical exchanges. To help 
PCT organize future events, a meeting for staff and participants of this year’s 
many exchange programs was held on October 21-23, 2011.

One recurring theme during this meeting was that Taiwanese youths who took part 
in these programs came back with a better understanding of their identity. 
Having met young people from other countries and having conversed with them, 
Taiwanese youths learned from these interactions that the term “Republic of 
China” was a foreign and illusive name for many people around the world. As 
result, they came to understand the importance of Taiwan’s plight to gain 
international recognition and the importance of nurturing the next generation 
to be informed citizens.

Chu Mu-jen, a student majoring in earth sciences at National Cheng Kung 
University who went to this year’s WCC sponsored International Ecumenical Peace 
Convocation (IEPC) in Jamaica in May, recounted how he was questioned for one 
hour by immigration officers at the airport in Jamaica because officials there 
didn’t recognize “Republic of China” passports. “This turned out to be an 
opportunity for foreigners to know about Taiwan’s international predicament. 
Thought a lot of people may not be familiar with Taiwan, its existence and 
predicament are undeniable,” Chu said.

The group concluded that 2011 had been a busy and productive year for PCT youth 
ministry. It included highlights such as a visit from Presbyterian Church in 
India’s Mizoram Synod Choir, “I Love Taiwan Mission” camp, Youth Conference on 
“PCT Statement of our National Fate”, CWM conference in July in Singapore, as 
well as participation in WCC’s IEPC conference in Jamaica. Next year, PCT Youth 
Ministry Committee plans to send delegates to youth exchange programs in 
Thailand, India, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and also hopes to welcome youths 
from all over the world for “I Love Taiwan Mission” camp.

 

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