World Youth Congress in Turkey

The fifth semi-annual World Youth Congress will be held this summer in Istanbul, Turkey, and will bring together one thousand youth from all over the globe. Each of the five sessions of the World Youth Congress have had different themes, and this year’s focus will be on the Turkish concept of “imece,” translated roughly as social solidarity and sensibility.  Specifically, the components of imece are democracy, togetherness, solidarity, trust, and volunteerism, and the Youth Congress will undertake various activities to promote these concepts among the group of youth attendees. 

Workshops will be held on each of these themes, and cultural events and other social programs will fill the two week program.  Applications continue to be accepted through January 31^st, 2010, but for those youth who cannot attend the conference in Istanbul, a “Virtual Congress” will be provided on the World Youth Congress website where interested youth may keep up-to-date with Congress events, see photos, and ask questions.