The YCS/YSM XVI National Council and Formation Session which is taking place at Bethel from May 19-28, is in full swing on the third day with the realization of the objectives of the programme and the study session. The delegates made good use of the study session and learnt the broad meaning of theme namely “Students education in the modern era”. After the fruitful exposure visit to various places in Shillong on the previous day, the participants prepared a report and gave the gist of what they have experienced at the visit. Questions and clarifications are sought with and a detailed report with creativity will be reported tomorrow.
In the morning session Mr. L.P. Xavier, the President of Philosophy, NEHU, Shillong dealt with the topic in short. He presented the topic with various examples so that the participants understand it clearly. About Interculturality he gave a brief write up in which he says whatever the human beings have created is affected by the culture. In true sense it is protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions.
About religious pluralism he stressed the need of respecting and accepting the other religion as our own. Religion should have brought us together but it has played a very bad role also. When every religion claims that it is the absolute truth, the conflicts arise and it leads to unnecessary rivalry. Today as young students it is our responsibility to work for peaceful co-existence.
Universal culture of love and life is makes us aware of the reality and co-existence. Proper understanding of the religion is required and it is up to us to do it and bring about a change.
Fr. James Chacko, the former Asian Chaplain of YCS took a session on the theological expressions of the movement in which he dealt with the spirituality of the movement. The methodology of the movement has an important role to play in each one’s life and he stressed the need to inculcate the methodology and the spirituality in each one’s life.
In the afternoon Fr. Mathew elaborated on the topic of Culture of love and life. Today there is a culture of death. Young people are willing to die for silly and meaningless things like failures, conflicts and in the name of religion. It has to be changed by people like us with the educational upgrading.
In the evening the delegates took part in the workshop and analysed the situation in detail which will be translated into action in the future days. Educational rights and the imparting of the education were dealt with through a write given in the work book which helped the delegates understand the true meaning of education. It will be translated into the three thrusts they have taken for their further study.
The intercultural affinity was celebrated in the night during the recreation which helped the participants understand and appreciate each other’s culture. The next day would deal with the aspect of Religious Plurality and its impact on students and education. Finally they will chalk out the plan of action for the next three years.