3.1 We will walk more closely with the youth, listening to and learning from them, paying particular attention to their search for spirituality and meaning, their concern with civic and global issues, their use of new media and technology, their creativity and activism, and their thirst for holistic formation and education. Animating vocational discernment, including religious vocation with the Society, will be an integral part of this. In collaboration with others, we will seek to respond to the worsening poverty, unemployment, and mental health stresses created by the Covid-19 pandemic especially for the most vulnerable youth. We will also seek to build bridges of reconciliation amidst a growing trend of social polarization and division. Our outreach will include not only youth and young adults in the Catholic Church but also those in other faith traditions, indigenous communities, and secular society.

Targeted outputs:

3a. Accompaniment and support are provided for youth in relation to their increasing engagement in civic and global movements. Formation rooted in values and spirituality can be strengthened.

3b. A collaborative study on the youth is done in 2021-2023 to listen to the concerns and hopes of young people across Asia Pacific and discern how we can better accompany them.

3c. Communal discernment of all different ministries on how we accompany the youth is done during the Ignatian Year (what graces to celebrate, challenges, where the Spirit is leading us to).

3d. A thorough evaluation of MAGIS formation program across Asia Pacific (what have been gained, lights and shadows, best practices, what to improve, how to strengthen) is done during the Ignatian Year. The potential to further develop other initiatives such as the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network is explored.

3e. There will be greater integration between vocation promotion and the youth ministry, and all Provinces will establish their vocation promotion teams and plans by end-2021.

 

Exploring an idea to build a website for young people focusing on discernment. In that website, there will also be resources for young people who’re looking for deeper meaning in their lives.

 

Responsible team: JCAP Youth Ministry in collaboration with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities-Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP), Vocation Promoters, and other circles.