6,000 Youth from around the World gather at Genfest 2018

Now more than ever, with all that is happening around us, our children need to know the value of kindness, compassion and inclusivity.

This weekend, from July 6-8, 6,000 youth delegates from around the world will converge at the World Trade Center in Pasay City for Genfest 2018, an avenue for young people to show that a united world is possible.

The Genfest is organized by the Youth for a United World, youth members of the Focolare Movement. The first Genfest was held in Italy in 1973 and Genfest 2018 will be the first ever to be held in Asia and outside Europe.  

A Genfest 2018 app is available for download where more details on the 3-day event for a one united world can be found.

Beyond All Borders is the theme of Genfest 2018 which aims to enable the youth to experience sharing cultures and traditions, best practices, tools and projects that would help them achieve sustainable change and realize that everyone is a member of one united family.

Genfest 2018 begins with an Opening Program on Friday, July 6, followed by a Cultural Night in the evening.

ExpLo: A Journey of Life

Throughout the duration of Genfest, a portion of the World Trade Center will be transformed into an immersive and interactive exposition called ExpLo, which will combine elements from different art forms. Guests will go through a 20-minute interactive journey of life through Self-Discovery. It will begin with an exploration of the self or THE PERSON and will continue on to the 5 fundamental dimensions of a human being as represented by the WORD, BODY, EARTH, SKY, and the FUTURE.

The ExpLo will be both engaging and educational so that young people may be better informed on how they can be a co-author in the story of a united humanity. The ExpLo will be open from 8:00AM to 10:00PM on July 6 and 7, and from 8:00AM to 6:00PM on July 8.

Workshops and Forums at Genfest 2018: A Youth-led Innovation

On July 7, Day 2 of the Genfest, over 100 simultaneous workshops and forums on topics that include politics, media, economics, culture and sports will be held in De La Salle University, among other venues. From 9am-11.30am, Subject Matter Experts will lead the workshops and forums with up to 500 participants each. The goal is to empower the youth to think beyond themselves, overcome borders, and do acts of kindness and love when they go back to their communities.

Hands for Humanity to Color the City of Manila

On the afternoon of Day 2, the Genfest delegates, in partnership with Bukas Palad Foundation and other organizations, will participate in Hands for Humanity, a series of activities where participants will bring random acts of kindness in different parts of the city.

Some of the activities for Hands for Humanity include: The Big Clean and Green Drive, Teatrong Lansangan (Street Theater), See What I Feel (immersion with the blind), I Hear What I See (immersion with tthe deaf), Feeding 2000 (child feeding program), Mangrove Coastal Cleanup (Manila Bay), Cheers for the Elderly, Feeding Program for Muslim Children (feeding program in a Muslim community), Mabuhay Buddhist Temple Outreach, and Trash to Treasure. Some of the delegates will also be tasked to document the various Hands for Humanity activities. Time Out for Peace, a solemn moment for a deeper experience of communion among people of different backgrounds will immediately follow the afternoon’s activities.

Day 2 will be capped with an international night entitled, A United World, a celebration of songs, testimonies and artistic presentations.

On July 8, the Genfest concludes with a closing Mass to be presided by the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, and a message from the President of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce.

Other partners of the Genfest 2018 include the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

For more information, inquiries and coordination, please contact Ms. Fralynn Manalo at 09175420818 / 09338144863.