Chatting about youth and transformation

© Igor Sperotto / WCC

Tuesday's "bate-papo" chat featured New Zealander Michael Wallace, general secretary of the World Student Christian Federation, and Bishop Barbel Wartenberg-Potter, chair of Bread for the World and wife of former WCC general secretary Philip Potter.

The dialogue focused on youth and transformation. Wartenberg-Potter said that while voices of tradition are needed in churches, the voices of youth are also critically needed as "agents of change". "We need to hold up the flag of young people," she said.

Wallace, meanwhile, noted that encouraging greater youth involvement had been mentioned in WCC circles and addresses for decades. Significant action, however, has not always matched words. "Sometimes young people can be irritating and disorganized, but they need our constant support," he said.