Youth at the LWF

Young people are the future of the church. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) places great emphasis on youth participation. The LWF promotes the participation and leadership of young people between the ages of 18 and 30 in all its programs. The LWF Strategy 2012-2017 states: “Young people have a place and are heard in all aspects of church and communion life, including decision-making bodies and leadership.” Thus, young people are seen as people who can actively contribute to change and peace.

The Youth Committee of the German National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (YC/GNC) is the instrument of youth participation within the GNC/LWF. It has the task of introducing topics and positions of young adults into the work of the GNC/LWF, the Council of LWF, the Youth Secretariat of the LWF in Geneva, and other youth bodies of the German member churches. It is made up of young delegates from the individual German LWF member churches. The appointment is made - in consultation with the relevant youth work bodies - by the respective church. The Youth Committee of GNC/LWF meets for two weekend conferences per year.

The Youth Committee of GNC/LWF promotes young people's participation in (church) voluntary work and church and civil society involvement. It also prepares the youth delegates for the LWF General Assemblies. In recent years, the Youth Committee of GNC/LWF has intensively dealt with the topics of sustainability, climate, and gender justice.

The Youth Committee of GNC/LWF also fosters exchange at the following levels: Among the youth delegates of the various Lutheran regional churches, with young adults of other European churches and with youth delegates and stewards of other ecumenical conferences (LWF, also Council meetings, Conference of European Churches, World Council of Churches). At the same time, the members of the Youth Board endeavor to provide feedback on the work of the LWF to their churches and youth representations.