Peace and Justice Forum
Hosts 300 International Teenagers
Nearly 300 fourteen to eighteen-year-olds from forty countries, including
Nepal, United States, Tahiti, Germany, and Australia, have been selected to
participant in a Peace and Justice Forum. These teenagers are in Independence,
Missouri, USA, from July 25-28. The Forum is part of the International Youth
Festival, sponsored by Community of Christ at its international headquarters in
Independence.
The purpose of The Forum is for youth to grow in faith; learn about peace and
justice in their homes, nations, and world; find joy in meeting youth from
different places; learn about other cultures; and gain skills and courage to
work on peace and justice issues when they return home. The Forum includes
several types of activities. Cross-cultural groups of six youth each have been
formed to discuss peace and justice issues in each person's local community,
village, or neighborhood. Participants will also study the Letter of James from
the New Testament. There will be opportunities for participants to fellowship
formally and informally with church leaders.
After being selected, students began an in-depth preparation including
organizing personal information and reflections to share with members of the
assigned small groups. Attendees had to research several peace and justice
issues that face their community, including interviewing a number of people who
are making an impact in that area. Each person also brought small tokens of
friendship to share with group members.
Forum participants are spending some of their time in the Kansas City area
visiting fifteen places that are working to make our world a better place. They
are experiencing programs such as Hope House, a shelter for battered women;
Guadalupe Center, Inc., which aids Hispanic immigrants; and Temple B'nai Jehudah
with Rabbi Taub. These visits end with a stop at St. James United Methodist
Church where Emanuel Cleaver II, former mayor of Kansas City and current senior
pastor, will speak about "Justice in Kansas City."
The Forum hopes to educate and empower youth to stand up for peace and
justice issues in their homes, cities, countries, and the world.
-Jenn Killpack reporting
