OFFICIAL NAME
Encounters of Youth Promotion
AKRONYM
EYP
ESTABLISHED
1968
HISTORY
EYP was established in Medellín, Colombia, by the Spanish priest, Father José Maria Pujadas Ferrer following an international course on the dynamics of apostolic youth groups organised in Bogota in 1967 by the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) Vocations Centre, to give an impetus to vocations promotion among young people. In response to the appeal to follow young people with care and concern, launched by Paul VI in 1968 when he inaugurated the second Celam General Conference, the new movement drafted the so-called "Medellín Document" which is still considered to be the EYP Magna Charta. It spread beyond the borders of Colombia and within 30 years it was found in various other American and European countries. On 29 June 1996 the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed the recognition of Encuentros de Promoción Juvenil as an international association of the faithful of Pontifical Right.
IDENTITY
EYP sets out to stimulate young people to live their vocation to the full in accordance with the charism of the movement, to encourage them to freely accept the faith and prepare them to take on leadership roles of Christian groups and communities and to play a front-line role in the work of building up the civilisation of love. The movement’s educational approach emphasises human and spiritual development, group work and community prayer, attendance at Mass, times of reflection and the sharing of experiences. EYP places itself at the service of the pastoral ministry of youth through announcing and bearing witness to Christ, rallying young people around the fundamental values of Christianity and helping them to mature in the faith. The main activity of the movement is to organise meetings, which take the form of three-day community events for young people aged 18 years and above, at the time in which they have to make crucial choices for their lives, and therefore need guidance and direction.
ORGANISATION
EYP is governed by the International Promotor Committee, comprising the International Coordinator, The International Spiritual Assistant, the Deputy International Coordinator, the Deputy Spiritual Assistant, the Regional Spiritual Assistants and Coordinators, and the National Spiritual Assistants and Coordinators. The movement is organised by the Standing Committee, comprising the International coordinator, the International Spiritual Assistant, the Regional Coordinators and the Regional Spiritual Assistants.
MEMBERSHIP
EYP has a membership of about 3,500 present in 14 countries as follows: Europe (2), North America (8), and South America (4). The meetings organised by the movement are attended every year by over 7,000 young people.
WEB SITE
HEADQUARTERS
Encuentros de Promoción Juvenil
Calle Hermengildo Peña, 9
Colonia Hacienda de la Flor
83090 Hermosillo, Sonora - Mexico
Tel. [+52]662.2175835
Email: epjcarlos@hotmail.com
