Hope for the Future
I recently came across a screen capture of a teacher expressing concern about her fifth grade students’ essays on how they see themselves 10 -15 years into the future. She lamented that based on their answers, these kids seem to idolize leaders who prefer to use force over passive methods, and are growing up to […]
The gift of motherhood to the human family
Robert Browning described motherhood as “the beginning and end of all love”. Last September 28 2016, WYA Europe members participated at the Conference on the European Day of safe birth and motherhood. The event, held at the European Parliament, was organized by the Association Europe for Family and hosted by MEP Arne Gericke from the German Family […]
Human rights and the baby market
Les droits de l’homme à l’épreuve de la marchandisation de l’enfant [tabs] [tab title=”English”] Human rights and the baby market Brussels recently hosted the European fair for having children through gestational surrogacy organized by the surrogacy group Men Having Babies. At the same time, the Council of Europe has just rejected a very controversial resolution […]
Celebrating 2016 European Day of Safe Birth and Motherhood
World Youth Alliance Europe contributed to the celebration of the European Day of Safe Birth and Motherhood with the presence of Antoine Mellado, WYA Europe’s director of advocacy as one of the panelists at the Conference on Safe Birth and Maternal Health. The death of a mother not only affects her family and put their children at […]
The Death of Adoption: Surrogacy Buyers’ Market Puts Children in Need at a Disadvantage
Adoption vs. Surrogacy Adoption is in trouble due to competition from the surrogacy industry. Adoption procedures were designed with the sole purpose of protecting the best interests of the child. But this cornerstone of family policy is suffering at the hands of a new model that is developing, a model which prioritizes consumers preferences and […]
“The forum makes you appreciate the essential meaning of unity in diversity” -Lessons from our ISF delegates
“ISF offers more than a conference experience; it helps you work on your personal development and at the same time, inspires you to be a contributing member to the society you belong in,”Graciela Ann Awkit, an ISF alumna from the Philippines, shares when asked about what’s in store when young people apply for the […]
WYA Austria meets Kunstglaube
It was an experience of different cast. KUNSTGLAUBE means “Artfaith” in English translation. But what did it really mean? At an event last night, we weren’t really sure on what it literally meant. Did it mean the art of faith of the faith in Art. I together with the members of the WYA Austria Chapter got […]
Experiencing solidarity, joy and love in Krakow
As a member of the World Youth Alliance delegation to the recently concluded 2016 World Youth Day (WYD) celebration in Krakow, I’d like to share some of our powerful and inspiring experiences of solidarity, joy and love. The Philippines, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Ireland and Germany were represented by the WYA delegation for the World Youth Day 2016. […]
On importance of leisure: Leisure is not mere idleness, it’s a gift
[tabs] [tab title=”English”] “We work so we can have leisure”, wrote Greek philosopher Aristotle, in one of his most important works “Nicomachean Ethics”. On the other hand, the prevailing philosophy of the modern world, in which actions which don’t give us immediate results are considered more or less meaningless, is “We have leisure so we […]
Dignity, Solidarity and Purpose: Reflections from my Summer Camp experience
Some people may think that WYA’s International Summer Camp program is a standard summer camp program where kids have fun, meet new friends and enjoy nature. Well, it is definitely so much more! I don’t think I will be able to sum it all up in just a few of words, but I’d like to share some of […]