The conference was the final event of a one year partnership of the Salesian NGO JUGEND DRITTE WELT and the city of Bonn. It was sponsored by the city and the “Foundation for International Dialogue of the Saving Bank in Bonn”.

The young participants were all dedicated to different social activities mainly in Don Bosco projects all over the world. For one week they had a chance to get to know each other, to exchange ideas, get a better insight into different cultures and to broaden their own intercultural awareness.

The timetable included among other things group dynamic games, discussions on values and beliefs or prejudices. At an intercultural evening those from each country were given the chance to present themselves, their culture, food and music. The city of Bonn was explored during a guided tour ending in a typical restaurant of Bonn. A totally new experience for most of the participants was Ice- Skating at “Bonn on Ice”.

During the week the thirty participants became a strong community, in spite of an age gap of twenty years between some of the participants or their totally different backgrounds. These were easily overcome showing that in the end we are “One World!”

This was one of the messages given at the Don Bosco Forum on 22nd January at which the participants presented their results of the week to the audience.

Published 27/01/2011