The proposal for the establishment of the Mediterranean Youth Council originates from the Italian Church, as a sign and concrete initiative of the Mediterranean Bishops’ Conferences held in Bari 2020 and Florence 2022, with the goal of establishing a Youth Council of the Mediterranean. It aims to promote dialogue and the possibility of peaceful coexistence among people and communities, founded on fraternity.
The project places young people at their core – as the future of our Mediterranean Churches – engaging them in an active and responsible way. It seeks to be a concrete and tangible sign of the Catholic Church’s of the Mediterranean region, in its various expressions and rites, looks to the future through the lenses and mindset of those who will be tomorrow’s men and women, the emerging protagonists of the societies and Ecclesial Communities of the Mediterranean.
The Council assembles annually in person in Florence as well as holds online meetings at established intervals throughout the year.
The coordination, implementation, and operational management of the project has been entrusted by the CEI to a network of Italian organizations — Fondazione Giorgio La Pira, Fondazione Giovanni Paolo II, Opera per la Gioventù Giorgio La Pira, and the Centro Internazionale Studenti Giorgio La Pira — collectively known as “Rete Mare Nostrum”, which is responsible for overseeing the project’s overall external and internal implementation.
The Council operates in close collaboration with the Presidency of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), with whom it shares work programs.
Care of the spiritual dimension
Love for the Church
Pastoral action is strengthened in the face of modern challenges by building “bridges” of dialogue, unity, and peace between different populations and cultures.
The Youth Council of the Mediterranean is born in this perspective and it has three main goals:
– Care of the spiritual dimension
– Love for the Church
– Pastoral action is strengthened in the face of modern challenges by building “bridges” of dialogue, unity, and peace between different populations and cultures.
