Report: Jessie Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network - Coimbatore (SP)

Coimbatore, Aug 1: The 'Teens for Unity', (www.teens4unity.net) of the Focolare Movement, founded by Chiara Lubich,  will be organizing an international event called 'Super Congress 2009', from August 8 to 12 in Coimbatore, India. Approximately 2,000 teenagers in the age group of 14 to 17 years coming from many countries of the world are likely to participate. 'Super Congress 2009' will be the fruit of collaboration with Shanti Ashram, Coimbatore (www.shantiashram.org).

Super Congress is an international teenagers’ festival held once in five years, in Rome, Italy. For the very first time, this festival is being held in India. The main protagonists of the event are the teens themselves. It proposes a new lifestyle, based on universal values, with opportunities to deepen the understanding of various themes such as peace, solidarity and the culture of giving. The goal of the youngsters is to involve the young generation in bringing about universal brotherhood in the world.

The Programme for 2009: The Super Congress will be centred on the golden rule, “Do unto others what you would like them to do unto you.” It will include an inter-cultural festival with music, songs, artistic performances and a vital exchange of experiences of life among the teenagers; a Peace Festival open to the entire city of Coimbatore, which would provide them a forum to express the desire of building fraternity among all. This will be followed by a hands-on experience of solidarity through working with children in the villages of Coimbatore. This programme has a high educational value, both in the social and cultural fields.

Representatives of various schools and colleges from all over India are expected to participate in this unique event. They will be presented with a certificate of participation at the end of the programme.  On their return, they can present a report of the programme and their experiences at the festival.