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Genfest 2018: Work in Progress

The GEN: Patrick (Slovakia), Kiara (Philippines) and Jose Luis (Brazil)
The GEN: Patrick (Slovakia), Kiara (Philippines) and Jose Luis (Brazil)

Patrick from the Slovak Republic, Jose Luis from Brazil and Kiara from the Philippines, work at the International Center for the Youth of the Focolare Movement in Rome, Italy, and are a small part of the team that is preparing Genfest 2018.

“Of course, there are so many challenges,” Kiara shares.

“Communication plays a very important role in our lives. Being able to fully express my ideas and what I feel is very important for me. Here, since I have to communicate in a different language, Italian, I’m always afraid that I might not able to deliver my message well. One Saturday, we had to present to the entire Genfest committee the various proposals and the work we had undertaken. Some days before, we had worked very hard, collecting suggestions, comments, reflections, etc. My team then turned to me to explain and present before the committee the results that we had reached. Honestly, I was quite scared and not at ease communicating in Italian. Besides, I had to speak in such a way that others could understand clearly. I was really worried. But, I realized that I’d have to keep my calm. I reminded myself that I wasn’t there to be perfect at everything, but to give my 100 percent. Of course, this is a challenge for me, and if I gave my 100 percent, with the support and trust of those with whom I had worked, I knew I’d make it.”

“After this experience,” Kiara continues, “I am going ahead with all that I do. There are always challenges and difficulties will always be a part of the experience. And I know in my heart that it’s worthwhile living this way.”

In this way we, the Youth for a United World, want to commit ourselves completely to a humanity that will be more united and brotherly. The Genfest will be our festival. What do you say? We will have the whole world before us, in all its variety of peoples and cultures, with their hurts and their achievements, riches and misery, questions about freedom, equality, and dignity.

We want to involve as many young people as possible in this extraordinary undertaking: a world without borders, nor barriers, or walls, as the title of Genfest 2018 declares: “Beyond
all borders”. We’ve been given the opportunity to work for something great, and we don’t want to squander it.

The Genfest will be a wonderful occasion to show that a united world is possible, that peace is not just a dream, but a reality. And for this we have given our ‘yes’. And you, are you ready to give your ‘yes’?

The Genfest has begun. See you in Manila in 2018!

For more information you may visit: y4uw.org/genfest

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