Apply now for three interesting international summer camps in Italy’s Waldensian Valley.
Scholarships available for those who apply by March 1, 2016.
- International Theological Camp ( 30 July – 6 August 2016) Childhood in the Bible: a path between Ancient and New Testament
- International Workcamp Camp (6 – 13 August 2016) Felicità, felicidad, happiness, bonheur, Fröehlichkeit, шчасце, 幸せ, ευτυχία, счастье, mutluluk, kabungahan.
We seek it and we know what we want to find…
- International Political Camp (13 – 20 August 2016) Migration: Breaking down boundaries on a journey towards a common home
International Theological Camp ( 30 July – 6 August 2016)
Childhood in the Bible: a path between Ancient and New Testament
This year’s camp will lead us in a reflective journey about a not very well known but very important Biblical reality: childhood. Through a reflection on the nature of childhood in the Bible, we will examine its understanding in our societies and how such an understanding characterizes our reading of the Bible today. What does being known as a “son/daughter of” imply as opposed to being recognized by one’s own name? What does it mean to be a child? Is childhood an important phase or is it just an anticipatory phase? If there were no childhood and we entered directly into adulthood, would there be any differences in our being humans.
We will have a week of discussions, speeches, games, artistic activities, and reflections where we will get to know each other and our cultures to challenge and support each other with this particular reading perspective. Jesus said that we should be like children. Come and join us so we can discover together what that could mean! Read more.
International Workcamp Camp (6 – 13 August 2016)
Felicità, felicidad, happiness, bonheur, Fröehlichkeit, шчасце, 幸せ, ευτυχία, счастье, mutluluk, kabungahan.
We seek it and we know what we want to find…
We are more and more influenced by economy-related issues where happiness is measured in terms of financial wealth or portrayed as a product to buy. Our long working hours are pawned for food and we gnaw on a piece of zircon thinking it’s really a diamond. It seems to us that the more we try to achieve the happiness packaged by advertising and by some media, the more enslaved we become. Almost as it is only given to approach it but not to reach it. Is there a “more real” happiness than others? Happiness is measurable in brain activity in a given state of rest? What is our idea of happiness? Are we able to look for “our” happiness without completely giving in to the influence of external forces, without undermining our desire to live, without becoming compulsive consumers.
How many languages will we write our manifesto for happiness in? Read more.
International Political Camp (13 – 20 August 2016)
Migration: Breaking down boundaries on a journey towards a common home
From the very beginning, humans have always been on the move, seeking safe refuge and livelihoods. However, in today’s ‘globalized’ world – where goods and capital can cross borders – people fleeing from wars, repressive regimes, poverty and climate-induced crises encounter myriad physical, legal and socio-cultural barriers. Migrants are often seen as threats to identity and security as well as competitors for scarceresources. Their desperation not only makes them vulnerable to traffickers, but also to exploitation by a global economic system founded on cheap labour.
Against this backdrop, the 2016 Agape International Political Camp aims to provide a platform for discussing the following questions:
- How are current migrations rooted in historic, economic and ecological processes?
- What political structures and cultural transformations are necessary to protect and respect the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees?
- How do we develop a collective understanding of the world as our common home where all people, regardless of ethnicity/race, religion, gender and class, have the right to move freely, to live in peace and to access an equitable share of resources?
- Finally, what practical actions can we take together?
Read more.
What are Agape camps
The WSCF has had a historical relationship with the international ecumenical center of Agape in Northern Italy, which helped build right after World War II as a symbol of reconciliation among the nations that had been at war in the conflict. Youth and students from different parts of the worlds, many of whom are members of national SCMs across the world – were convened by visionary Waldensian Pastor Tullio Vinay to contribute their energy and vision to build the Agape center, which has been ever since at the forefront of cutting edge theological, social, political and gender reflections. Every year in August three international conferences, one on theology, one on political issues, and one on voluntary work are held at the Center. Scholarships from the Agape Center enable young adult and student participation. Are Kaspersen (SCM Sweden) has attended Agape camp last year – read his reflection here.
Scholarships are available:
Agape provides scholarships for people over eighteen who want to take part in the international camps at Agape. In particular they would like to offer scholarships to people from the Southern Hemisphere and Eastern Europe to further their participation in their international camps. They can reimburse some travel expenses and fund the cost of staying at Agape. Regretfully, they are not able to meet every request for financial aid since the demand is greater than the funds that they have available. All applications will be considered carefully.
In particular, Agape appreciates applications from people who would like to take part in all our three international camps and stay longer as a workcamp volunteer.
Deadline for applications: 1 March 2016
For all the information about applying to any of the International Work Camps please visit the Agape website. Please note that prior to applying as WSCF-E delegate, you need to consult the Regional Office for approval. Email to Regional Secretary Natia Tsintsadze on wscf@wscf-europe.org to find out how to become a regional representative. If you send your application to Agape by March 1, you may be eligible for a scholarship.
Ms Georgine Kengne Djeutane (Cameroon) has been performing the duties of WSCF Interim Chairperson after the 35th General Assembly in March 2015 and until the Chairperson elections in March 2016. Former Africa Regional Secretary, Georgine is an Economist by training. She received a Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics Sciences. In addition she also trained on Project management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Fundraising, Conflict Resolution, Gender and Human Rights, Anti-Corruption Campaign, Lobby and Advocacy, Management for Head of Project and Organization of Development in Africa and Corporate Governance.
Salma Charaf (France), currently based in Paris, is a student of International Relations and Management. Salma grew up in Morocco, in a multicultural and open-minded Russian-Moroccan family. She got to know WSCF when she started her university studies in France, where she joined SCM France. Through her SCM, Salma met the WSCF General Secretary, got inspired, and decided to participate in her first WSCF project taking place in UNESCO. In 2014, Salma was invited to take part in the inter-regional leadership development program in Jordan and Palestine, where she discovered the real spirit of WSCF. When she returned to Paris, Salma became the main international contacts person of SCM Paris, and continued to be involved in WSCF-European projects representing her SCM, recently reconnecting this old WSCF member with the Region.
Krista Autio