The Catholic World Youth Day 2008 is this year being held in Sydney Australia. Over 150,000 young Catholics are expected to attend as well as many thousands more from around Australia. Proceeding get under way on July 15th and the event ends on July 20th. This will be also see the first ever visit of his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

The last WYD event was held in Cologne where over 400,000 pilgrims registered for the event. Pope John Paul II established WYD in 1986 His aim was to have a regular meeting of young Catholics from all around the world so to celebrate and learn more about their faith and fellow youth.

According to the ‘United Nations’ their definition of youth is anyone who is between the age of 15 years and 24 years. However societies around the world all have their own definition of what age applies to youth. It is generally accepted throughout the majority of countries that the terms teenager, adolescent or young person all define the word youth.

Society has a habit of defining and categorizing things, it helps us to understand thing better. However each one of us is unique and each one of us will experience unique situations throughout out lifetime. World Youth Day Sydney provides youth the opportunity to discover the experience of others that will enhance ther own knowledge and understanding.

The youth of today face many unique challenges and need all the support and reassurance society can give them. Investing in youth is investing in the future of mankind. As young people develop they take with them into the future lessons gained from their own experience and knowledge from their elders. The bigger the investment we make the greater the return for all society will receive.

Of course it is not just parents who need to assist youth. Society as a whole has an obligation to protect and educate. When society offers young people love and support it is showing youth that adults care about them and are willing to help. Research show that supportive relationships, are vital to the well being of youth. Parents and family are first and foremost and arguably the most important influence but there are many others who play their part in the development of a person such as their friends, teachers, religious instructors, sports coaches, etc.

World Youth Day Australia will provide our young people the opportunity to connect with God as one, to celebrate and give thanks for all God’s work. In the world of uncertainty that we live in it is vital that todays youth receive the strength needed to overcome the challenges. Pilgrims from across the globe will unite together in June to show the world that the faith of youth is strong and that with God’s grace all the challenges will be met and overcome.