National Youth Conference, Guwahati, October 23–27, 2023

The 5th National Youth Conference of ICYM was held at the St. Francis De Sales School Campus in Guwahati, Assam. The inaugural ceremony took place on October 23rd at 4:00 p.m. with a colourful procession led by delegates from 14 regions of India. The national flag and the ICYM flag were hoisted by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati, and Most Rev. Ignatius Dsouza, Chairman of the CCBI Youth Commission, respectively. Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of CCBI, inaugurated the regional stalls, which showcased the unique traditions and diversity of different regions of India.

The event proceeded with the Inaugural Mass, celebrated by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati, alongside Most Rev. Ignatius Dsouza, Chairman of the CCBI Youth Commission, and Rev. Fr. Sabu Francis, Provincial MSFS. Following the mass, the official inaugural program commenced with the unveiling of the ICYM National Conference theme song by the ICYM North East region. The inaugural program showcased the cultural diversity of all the dioceses in the North East region. The event was graced by Smt. Dolly Reang, Hon'ble Executive Member, Department of Social Welfare and Education, Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADD), who was accompanied by Smt. Nandita Debarma Reang, Hon'ble MLA, TLA Government of Tripura.

Smt. Dolly addressed the youth, saying, "Stand together and conquer using the Bible as a weapon."

Adv. Judy Antony welcomed the delegates, and Ms. Angela proposed a vote of thanks. The North Eastern Regional team, under the guidance of Fr. John Barman, hosted the program.

On the first day of the conference, the Annual General Body Meeting of ICYM was held. The National President welcomed the members, and Ms. Angela thanked everyone after presenting the annual report. Mr. Suman presented the annual accounts.

The conference centered around the theme "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Eph. 6:1). Delving into this subject, the conference attendees consisted of a total of 440 delegates hailing from 56 dioceses across India. Among these delegates, there were 347 youth leaders, 25 lady animators, and 68 priests in attendance. Throughout the duration of the conference, the delegates were organized into 18 groups, each with their respective moderators. These groups engaged in fruitful discussions not only revolving around the main theme but also addressing 15 additional questions that were carefully curated by the national office to hold significance in the realm of youth ministry.

The conference gracefully came to an end on October 27th, with the closing mass celebrated by Most Rev. Jayarao Polimera, Bishop of Eluru and member bishop of the commission. Throughout the sunlit days, the regions mesmerized the audience with their captivating cultural showcases that unfolded like enchanting evening tales. This 5th National Youth Conference served as a transformative experience for the ingenious youth leaders and spirited animators, weaving together the threads of camaraderie and fostering a profound sense of connection. The air was abuzz with wisdom exchanged and bonds forged as they embarked on a delightful journey of understanding and kinship.