Feature story
The young people learned particularly about preparations for the WCC 11th Assembly, youth-related work, and programmes related to gender, persons with disabilities, and care for creation. They also met with Bossey students, found out what it’s like to live in an ecumenical community, and shared a lively discussion on how youth participation in decision-making makes a difference.
The delegation also spent several days in Geneva to visit the Church of Norway abroad, as well as the Red Cross and other ecumenical organizations, including the ACT Alliance and the Lutheran World Federation.
Twenty-three-year old Nora Antonsen, currently studying physics in Lisbon, is a moderator of the Church of Norway Youth Council. “My work is to make sure that the voices of the youth and children are considered and heard in decision-making processes, and make sure that they are able to raise their voices in different forums,” she said.
Antonsen reflected on how the Church of Norway, after being a state church until 2017, now has many members—particularly young people—searching for a new understanding of church in society.
“In order to get a new perspective on things, and look through our brothers and sisters and other churches around the world, it was important for us to move outside of Norway, visit different organisations, and find solutions outside the borders of Norway,” said Antonsen. “I was so happy to bring the youth council here.”
Antonsen added that the visit was very inspiring. “I am leaving the WCC very inspired, and maybe one day I will work in an international organisation—or maybe go to study at Bossey.”