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| About EYCE |
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The Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe (EYCE) has member organisations in 26 countries throughout Europe. Members include:
* national ecumenical youth councils
* denominational youth councils or bodies
* those representing Church youth in Europe
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According to the preamble of EYCE's Constitution all member organisations must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in accordance with the Scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to serve both Him and humankind to the glory of the one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Irrespective of differences in their backgrounds, Members share a common task: 'to initiate and further the common commitment of young people to Jesus Christ and His desire for reconciliation, justice and a lasting peace in Europe and the world' (Constitution 2.1).
EYCE provides a forum for young people, and those who work with them, from all Christian denominations; for those coming from all different social backgrounds; and for those who face and live with the homeless, unemployed, foreigners, refugees and other marginalised people, to come together to pray, to share their hopes and fears, to build bridges, and to work together for Christian unity. | |
How did EYCE come into being?
EYCE was founded in 1968, but its roots go back to just after World War II. In 1947 the World Council of Churches (WCC) began to organise annual meetings for those responsible for ecumenical youth work in the different countries of Europe. 1968 was a special year for youth and students throughout the world - these youth leaders decided to found their own organisation, later known as the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe.
EYCE's first General Meeting was held in October 1969 in Sweden. EYCE appointed its first full-time General Secretary in 1978. Its Secretariat has since moved from East-Berlin to Budapest, to Belfast and Helsinki. In 1999 a permanent office was established in Brussels. | |
What are the aims of EYCE?
As a Christian youth organisation, EYCE strives to represent young people in Europe as much as possible. EYCE works on an entirely ecumenical basis, and therefore considers itself to be part of the wider ecumenical movement. It wants to encourage Churches and Christian youth movements in Europe to strive towards the unity of all Christians. Its goal is not to form one church structure, but to look for a means to work together in spite of their different denominational viewpoints. This means working together to overcome such obstacles as nationalism, xenophobia, social exclusion and proselytism.
Many of theabove mentioned obstacles are the result of a lack of information and the fear of the unknown. EYCE believes that bringing people together is the best way to foster mutual understanding between different Christian denominations and traditions. It tries to provide young people with a place to develop an understanding of the different expressions of faith in different denominations and countries.
In accordance with the decisions of the last EYCE General Meetings, particular thematic focus is being put on Economic Justice, inter-religious dialogue, ecumenical training and formation, overcoming violence, HIV/AIDS, reconcilation and conflict management. In order to work on these themes, EYCE regularly organises seminars, study sessions, training courses, workshops and other meetings. Many times, EYCE member organisations organise activities that are open for participation from other EYCE members.
EYCE also offers support by providing international ecumenical news on the EYCE website, by providing contacts and networking amongst EYCE members and partners and by raising the concerns of EYCE member organisations towards the Churches, the ecumenical movement and the European Institutions. | |
The EYCE Constitution
Preamble
The Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe (EYCE) is a fellowship of national ecumenical youth councils, denominational youth councils or bodies and those representing Church youth in Europe, which accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour according to the Scriptures and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to serve Him and to serve humankind for the glory of the one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
EYCE works in a continent shaped by many social and political systems as well as
different traditions. It assumes that these conditions may result in tensions and problems; its task is to resolve these differences, create better understanding and build community between young people in the name of Jesus Christ.
It is by this understanding and the fullness of its international ecumenical experience that EYCE actively contributes to building unity in Europe where people encounter others in mutual respect. Its aim is a Europe where the interests of young people are upheld and where the involvement of the young generation is valued.
The full text of the Constitution continues on the next page. |
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Updated 31.07.06 9513 reads |
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The Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe is a strong network of young Christians promo- ting the unity of Christianity throughout all of Europe. Read more about EYCE!
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