Ecumenical Youth – Middle East

PRO ORIENTE has been working with Churches in the Middle East since its establishment. This cooperation with the “We choose abundant life” Group is meant to strengthen and expand the existing cooperation, thus focusing on working with youth and local CROs in the region. Both organizations PRO ORIENTE and “We choose abundant Life” acknowledge the importance and need to involve the young generation in ecumenical dialogue as an essential contribution towards a more synodal church and for a stronger and a more engaged Christian witness in a changing world. Hence, both organizations recognize the need to train young people theologically and ecumenically, thus strengthening their involvement in and contribution to shaping the future of both our Churches and societies. Through ecumenical workshops with young people from and in the countries of the Middle East, the project contributes to the preservation and strengthening of Christian presence and witness in these countries as well as to developing future perspectives for a life in dignity and peace.

The “Ecumenical Youth in the Middle East” project was awarded the 2023 “Intercultural Achievement Award” recognition prize of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA). The prize is awarded to projects of civil society organizations that promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

Further information can be found here.

First Workshop, March 4–6 2022, Beirut (Lebanon)

A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Second Workshop, May 2–4 2022, Madaba (Jordan)

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Third Workshop, 17–19 June 2022, Bethlehem (Palestine)

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Fourth Workshop, 8–10 July 2022, Ankawa (Iraq)

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Fifth Workshop, 9–11 September 2022 in Bethlehem for Christians from Galilee

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Sixth Workshop 16–18 September 2022 in Wadi Natrun (Egypt)

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Regional Ecumenical Middle Eastern Youth Workshop – Austria 2023

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth of the workshop can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Workshop from 21–23 July 2023, Al-Liqa'-Center in Rabwah, Beirut (Libanon)

Further information can be found here. A short documentation of the workshop with the theme "Ecumenism and Youth Leadership" is available on the YouTube-channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Workshop from 28–30 Juli 2023 in Damaskus (Syrien): Synodality and Spiritual Psychological Support

A documentation of the workshop is available here and on the YouTube-channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Workshop from April 18–20, 2024 in Cairo (Egypt)

Almost 30 young adults from the Coptic Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches met in Cairo for another Ecumenical Youth Workshop entitled "Youth and Community in Church and Society".

Further information can be accessed here. A video documentation is available on the PRO ORIENTE YouTube channel.

Ecumenical Workshop from 13–15 June, 2024 in Amman (Jordan)

In Amman, 18 young adults from various Christian churches came together for another Ecumenical Workshop. The topic was "Receptive Ecumenism" as well as the role of the media with regard to relations between Christian churches.

Further information can be found here. A short documentation with the participating youth can be found on the YouTube-Channel of PRO ORIENTE.

Ecumenical Youth Workshop from 30 January – 1 February, 2025 in Bagdad (Iraq)

The first ecumenical workshop of the year 2025 took place in the Iraqi capital, Bagdad, from January 30 to February 1. The 25 young participants from different churches – most of whom came from Bagdad, but some also from northern Iraq – discussed issues such as how to strengthen Christian witness in Iraq. Another focus was on dealing with trauma and on spiritual counseling and support.

Further information can be found here.