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Youth Can Make a Difference Says Africa 2003 Youth Summit Leader

KITCHENER, Ontario (Canada) — When Ronald Lizwe Moyo speaks, his enthusiasm, optimism and hope captivate listeners. Coming from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where despair, anxiety and suffering are common, he brings an alternative perspective. He is not blind to the difficulties in his country and his church, but he believes youth have great potential to make a difference, as the biblical David did in his community.

The frightened Israelite soldiers facing a formidable Goliath, observed Moyo, saw a huge giant they didn't dare hit but young David saw a giant so big he couldn't miss. David's stone flew through the air and changed the situation, he said. Given the opportunity, Moyo believes today's youth can also bring positive change.

Moyo represents the Brethren in Christ (BIC) Church of Zimbabwe and chairs the committee planning a Global Youth Summit to precede the Mennonnite World Conference Assembly Gathered in Bulawayo in August next year. Each of the 87 MWC member conferences in five continents will be encouraged to send a representative aged 18 to 25 to make up the summit's core group, but all young people may participate. This forum will discuss dreams and visions youth have for the church as well as important life issues they face.

During planning meetings in Ontario (Canada) in late April, the committee agreed to begin to gather ideas and issues for discussion before Africa 2003 from young people in all the conferences. They hope the summit will lead to a statement and action plan youth can take back to their churches.

Moyo stressed the importance of churches listening to and understanding its young people and of young people being allowed to offer their gifts to the church. He speaks from three years of experience as director of national youth programs for the BIC church in Zimbabwe. Young people make up three-fourths of congregations there, he said, but many are discontented and are moving to Pentecostal or independent churches. Some feel their church leaders don't hear them.

The father of two young children, Moyo now works for an interdenominational home for children in difficult circimstances. That position allows him the flexibility he needs to lead the committee planning the Youth Summit.

Other committee members, all with international experience, are: Andy Brubacher Kaethler, Youth Minister for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada; Angela Opimi, director of a youth service program in Bolivia; Vikal P. Rao from central India, who worked as a youth steward during the 1997 MWC assembly in Calcutta; and Liesa Unger from Germany, director of YAMEN!, an MWC/Mennonite Central Committee program for young adults.

At a reception in Kitchener, Ont., committee members identifed a few issues young people in each of their regions face: unemployment, loss of interest in education, media influence on values and lifestyle, substance abuse, conflict and violence, difficulty in articulating faith, a search for something new and a desire to see faith lived out.

All young people who come to Africa 2003 will have many opportunities to participate in General Assembly worship and programs as well as special youth activities. MWC administrators are inviting donations to assist with travel costs for Youth Summit participants and other selected youth, particularly for those from the South.

— Ferne Burkhardt, News Editor

Photos available on request:

1. Youth Summit committee members giving the welcome sign. From left to right : Andy Brubacher Kaethler (Canada), Liesa Unger (Germany), Vikal P. Rao (India), Ronald Lizwe Moyo (Zimbabwe), Angela Opimi (Bolivia).

2. Youth Summit committee members “listening” to youth from around the world. From left to right : Andy Brubacher Kaethler (Canada), Liesa Unger (Germany), Vikal P. Rao (India), Ronald Lizwe Moyo (Zimbabwe), Angela Opimi (Bolivia).

3. Ronald Lizwe Moyo (Zimbabwe), chair of the Global Youth Summit committee.