WYP Ecuador 2022
“Giving us a voice. Reaching the Heights of a New Freedom of Expression”
After closely considering forgiveness (Beijing-China 2017) and decision-making (Salamanca-Spain 2019) as two indices of the quality of our interpersonal relationships and pathways towards building peace, in this edition of the World Youth Parliament (WYP) we shall examine the universe of information networks. From August 2020 to August 2022, the WYP will work on “Giving Us a Voice: Reaching the Heights of a New Freedom of Expression”
What does it mean to say that freedom of expression is an ascent? Are we free to express ourselves in any way when there is a person in front of us?
What is the true purpose of everything we say to others? Are we aware of the weight our words often possess and of the effect they may have on other people?
The root of the word “communication” is composed of “cum”—’together’—and “munus”—’obligatio’: ‘obligation’, ‘debt’, ‘gift’. On a daily basis, however, we witness how, in the name of a supposed freedom of expression, the Communications Networks which can connect one part of the world with another in just a few seconds often become a domain of violence and hatred.
For the methodology of the WYP, the project of restoring humanity begins with the personal commitment of each one of us. In these two years, then, far from limiting themselves to just giving opinions on freedom of expression, all members of the WYP will enter into the world of their personal and interpersonal experience, of their way of expressing themselves and communicating with others, and will examine their use of silence; their bodily, verbal, spiritual, and other forms of language; the implicit and explicit models for their forms of expression; the liberty or atmosphere which helps or hinders others in expressing themselves freely—and so many other aspects! It will be a real ascent where we shall attempt together to reach the goal of all communicative …
The concluding event for this edition will be the International Plenary Session, to be held in Quito, Ecuador in 2022. We would be very glad to have you with us on our team making this ascent!