Media and youth training in Wewak

 

Wewak: A media and youth training for youth leaders of the Diocese of Wewak was held from 13th to 17th May 2019. 

 

Held at the Tangugo Pastoral Centre in Wewak, over 80 youth leaders from the Wewak, Maprik and Sepik Deaneries attended the training.

 

It had as its theme: ‘Called to Holiness.’ Social Communication and Youth Secretary, Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb and SOCOM Media Personnel, Abigail Seta were facilitators of youth sessions, reflections and basic inputs on the media. 

 

For the youth training, the sessions dwelt on issues affecting the young people and finding solutions to those issues. The media sessions dwelt on writing articles, basic photography, posters with a message and social media. Issues in society, abuse in relationships and social media were the highlights of the three days.

 

“The purpose of the training is to empower young people to communicate well and return to their deaneries and parishes and use what they have learnt to help others,” said James Taku, Diocesan Youth Coordinator. 

 

According to James Taku, communication is an issue in the diocese for young people and with the media sessions taught at the training, the young people will be able to report, address and raise awareness on issues at the parish level and diocesan level. 

 

“This training has been eye-opening as it is the first for the youths and it is really helping the young people. We hope there will be more of this type of training in the future. The youths have been challenged to do their best at this training and have put so much effort into completing their activities that were given,” James said. 

 

The training also had a guest visit from the team at LifeFM PNG radio station where they recorded dramas, discussions and interviews of the participants.

 

Following the conclusion of the training, many of the participants shared their reflections and their commitment to using what they have learnt to help others.

 

Speaking on behalf of his deanery, Youth Animator of the Sepik Deanery, Albert Topan said, “My commitment is to go out to the parish level and conduct social communication fellowship and formation of young people.”

 

The training was facilitated by the Catholic Bishops Conference Social Communication (SOCOM) and Youth Commission in collaboration with the Wewak Diocesan Youth team.