From March 27 to the April 1, 2007, Mahelia Paul of Dominica, and I represented the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) at the Ninth International Youth Forum at the Centro Mondo Migliore, Rocca di Papa, Rome.

 The forum focussed on the theme, Witnessing to Christ in the world of work and saw participants from over eighty countries, representing five continents.

The goal of the forum was to enhance the awareness of the participants on issues relating to the general theme, while at the same time, fostering a network among the youth of the world. The forum was structured around very informative lectures and panel discussions (translated into English, Spanish, French and Italian).

The participants of the forum were also given many opportunities to contribute both generally in the lecture hall and in smaller working groups of which Mahelia and I made very good use to ensure that a Caribbean voice was heard.

For me, the smaller working groups were great learning opportunities as we were able to share experiences with each other, coming from all parts of the globe.

Lectures were given on the following topics:
 -Transformations in the world of work in an age of globalisation, presented by Professor Giancarlo Rovati (lecturer in sociology, Sacro Cuore Catholic University of Milan).

-Mobility, precarity and unemployment, presented by Professor Michele Tiraboschi, lecturer in Labour Law, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

-Work as a Vocation: drawing on the Catholic Social Tradition 25 years after Laborem Exercens, presented by Professor Michael J Naughton, Professor of Catholic Studies and Theology, University of St Thomas, St Paul, USA

-Ora et labori: joining our professional life with our Christian life, presented by the Most Rev Gregor Maria Hanke OSB, Bishop of Eichstatt, Germany.

There were panel discussions on the following topics:
• Work in a changing world.
• Work at the service of the person and the person’s growth.
• Christian witness in the workplace.
• In search of the “Spirituality of Work”.
Working groups on the following topics were held:
• The significance of work for young people today.
• Young people witnessing to Christ in the world of work: experiences and suggestions.

After each of the working groups, one representative reported to the general forum on the discussions of the working groups.

Mathew Martinez & Archbishop Stanislaw Pilko

Matthew Martinez & Mahelia Paul of Dominica

Matthew in St Peter’s Square

Apart from all the intellectual debate, the Forum also had a spiritual and social side. On a spiritual level, all lectures and debates were taken from a Christian point of view.

Prayer was an integral part of the Forum and all participants came together as a group to pray at various times each day.

Various cardinals and bishops celebrated Masses each day, in different languages.

The participants were able to pray at the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul, as well as at the tomb of our beloved, Pope John Paul II.

On the Friday night of the Forum, a prayer vigil of healing and contemplation was held.

The highlight of the Forum, though, was our participation in Holy Mass for Palm Sunday at St Peter’s Basilica.

All the participants sat beside the altar where the Holy Father celebrated the Mass and certain participants of the forum were given the opportunity to participate in the liturgy as well as receive communion from the Holy Father. (Unfortunately, neither of the two Caribbean representatives was given an opportunity to take part in the liturgy in this way, but simply being this close to the Holy Father was more than enough of a blessing for me personally).

 The Holy Father also sent a lovely message, through Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, to all the participants of the Forum and gave each of us a rosary.

Socially, the Forum made it possible for the participants to interact with one another and learn from each other. We spent time together both at the conference centre as well as while on pilgrimage to the Basilicas of St Peter and St Paul Outside the walls.

It was truly incredible to simply be in Rome, a place I had dreamt of visiting for many years. Networks were made among various regions of the world which will last for years to come. There was also a cultural night and an evening where we were able to simply have fun, dancing and chatting.

All in all, the forum was for me a great experience from which I was able to learn a tremendous amount. It was truly amazing being able to interact with so many different young people, sharing various unique experiences.

The lectures and panel discussions were ripe with ideas and overflowing with interesting perspectives. Spiritually, I was strengthened through my interaction with so many other Catholic leaders both young and old.

The Ninth International Youth Forum was for me an event I will never forget and I wish to thank the AEC for choosing me to be one of the representatives of the region.

Though the forum is over, I have come back with a wealth of knowledge which I an eager to share with the young people of our region.