07.08.2004

Moving toward greater inclusiveness of young people

Twenty-four-year-old Natalie Maxson from Canada has been watching and listening.

Though she was invited to the 24th general council of WARC as a speaker, consultant, and committee member, the role she has found most interesting is one she assigned to herself: "to watch the dynamics among people here, to see how youth are being abled, or disabled, to speak up. For me, that’s been the most interesting thing."

The verdict so far? “I’ve heard mixed reviews about young people’s participation,” Maxson says. “I’d like to know how stewards are being abled to share their gifts. As a young person, you really have to prove yourself before people give you respect.”

Maxson believes the culture of the Alliance is moving toward greater inclusiveness of young people, a move she would like to see continue. “One thing I think we need is role modeling,” she says, “older people approaching younger people to talk with them, older people telling others some young person’s an amazing person.”

She was encouraged as she watched participants in the Reformed youth forum present their report to the general council on Friday. “I think it was a very strong message. It was good to watch my peers present; I was moved.” She hopes those present will take to heart the issues the youth forum highlighted: the need to prioritise HIV/Aids prevention, economic justice, and the empowerment of young people to participate in church structures at all levels.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about the importance of respecting your elders. I really do respect my elders and value my interactions with them. I think it’s healthy to have relationships with different generations.”

“Respect your elders” is a given, she says, but “the same kind of respect is not being given for young people.”

Maxson, a student in women’s studies and political science at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, participated in a forum on the remarks of keynote speaker Vandana Shiva on the opening day of the general council on July 30. In her paper “Dangerous currents of globalisation”, which was handed out at the plenary session, Maxson criticised the “oppressive patterns of globalisation”, calling instead for “a democratic globalisation that can foster the spread of human rights, social justice and cooperation, tilting the balance of power in favour of poor communities.” She questioned ideologies that build identity by excluding those who are different and silencing dissent. “For me, a liberatory theology must be shaped by men and women and take into account the many intersections of class, gender, age, ethnicity and ability.”

In December, Maxson will take on duties as programme executive of the World Council of Churches’ Youth Desk in Geneva, a position she says older people encouraged her to apply for.

“I went dragging my heels – it was other people’s idea for me to apply. I might not have taken myself seriously enough to apply for this position. So I asked myself, is this something I can do? What can I contribute to this job? And I think, yes, this is the right thing for me to be doing.”

Maxson says being at the general council reminds her why she accepted the position. “I’m preparing in my mind how to make programmes for young people, how to make their presence known.”

Another focus of her work as youth desk programme executive will be to organize and supervise an internship programme, “uplifting the voices of young people and giving them opportunities to grow and learn”. She will stay for the remainder of the general council as a consultant on youth concerns and member of the youth and leadership committees.

Anita Zandstra, August 7 2004