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NCCI National Ecumenical Youth Assembly

Venue: Baldwin International School, Bangalore

Call for applications to the post of NCCI Executive Secretary – NCCI Youth Concerns Ministry

National Council of Churches in India

Call for Applications

 

Applications are invited from interested candidates to serve as Executive Secretary NCCI Youth Concerns.

The candidate must belong to a Member Church of NCCI and should have a commitment to Youth concerns. The appointment will be for a term of five years beginning from 3rd January 2022.

Requirements:

  • A minimum of a Bachelors degree.
  • Should also have a basic Theological Degree (Senate of Serampore College B.D. or its equivalent).
  • Should have a good command in English language – both spoken and written
  • Should be between 25-30 years of age and should have a national ecumenical exposure.
  • Should be endorsed and recommended by the Head of the NCCI Constituent Church of which the candidate is a member.
  • Should have a rich experience of working among youth groups.
  • Should be creative, innovative and communicative.
  • Should have an experience of working in an IT-enabled environment.
  • Should be willing to relocate to Delhi

 Interested candidates may apply with their curriculum vitae including necessary enclosures, endorsement from the head of the NCCI Member Church, and a photograph (with an advance copy by email) to:

The General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India
Post Box 205, Civil Lines
Beside Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board,
Nagpur 440 001, Maharashtra State
Phone:  (0712) 2531312 / 2561464
Email:  ncci@ncci1914.com

 

Last date for receiving application by post/ courier is 7th December 2021.

Short listed candidates will be intimated about the date and time of the interview.

Download pdf file

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary

 Date: November 25, 2021

 

Youths of The National Council of Churches in India commemorates International Youth Day

“There is need for a new language and new landscape. We require a New Pentecost experience that involves, not of speaking in many times but listening with many ears.” Rev. Dr. Peniel Rajkumar, WCC.

International Youth Day (IYD) Celebration

The NCCI proffers room to maneuver the youth of Indian Churches on occasion of International Youth Day (IYD) on 12th August 2020. The NCCI’s theme of IYD 2020, “We Count…Youth Engagement for Global Action” based on the UN’s IYD theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeks to highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary, NCCI in his introductory greetings asserted the importance of Sustainable development goals targeted to achieve by 2030 and the need of its critical engagement. “We count” as the theme in our culturally oriented context that we always have a leadership role who are older and youth activity and representation are restricted on terms of experience. He emboldened the youth with contention that youth are well equipped to clear the disorder the older people have brought this world to.

Mr. Liju Kuriakose, the youth Vice President of NCCI invigorated the youth and youth leaders of various churches mentioning it is the “youth that has the duty to be protectors of the nation, be the prophet of the nation, be the guiding lamp of change in each age in each period of its own we have to be responsible and not remain in our own Comforts in our own cocoons which is a luxury but we have to be torch bearers of change and the new age wisdom.”

Rev. Dr. Peniel Rajkumar, Programme Executive, Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, World Council of Churches (WCC) in his keynote address notably highlighted the theme “We count” and questions, do we really think you count in a world that could be sadly described as caught in a spiral of addictive hierarchy? He elucidated this from the challenging times when ‘What would Jesus do’ movement channeled the work of youth. “In the present times there has to be a new slogan “where would Jesus be?” What would be Jesus’ place in church and institutions as a young man in his 30’s given the occlusion and discrimination against youth in our systems and structures, would Jesus be within our churches or outside? How do we move ahead? By being cognizant of my own privileges and recognizing that I am very much part of the problem and remain so useless I see my repentance and redemption by being part of the solution.”

Various international ecumenical youth bodies and churches also joined the celebration and shared greetings to the youth. “Being young today is rewarding as well as challenging. Today young people find many challenges, integrating in the adult-led society, often the challenge are over looked, undervalued,” says Pranita Biswasi, a Program Executive for Youth, Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

“As young people we are not just the church tomorrow but already part of God’s people today. We may lack experience but we are also limited by power struggle to simply speak the truth like the prophet” says Rev. Cindy Huang, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, a Youth Executive Committee member of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).

“As youth, particularly in South Asia, commonly ask the socio-political problems and the endemic problem of corruption in their countries, youth engagement and increased representation across institutions is important for us to have a hope for better tomorrow.” Ms. Prasansa Subba, Coordinator, Nepal, South Asian Christian Youth Network (SACYN).

Role of Youth in Political Engagement

Rev. Fr. Vineeth Koshy keenly clarified, distaste in politics emerges at a very early age among the youth. There have been many connotations to Indian politics over the last decade, primarily the negative ones. Rev. Koshy further pressed upon that today’s young generation is more powerful than the previous one. He urged the youth to actively involved in the political movement as it has a direct widespread impacted upon social, economic, environmental and religious welfare of the country.

The NCCI International Youth Day celebration also witnessed cultural activities such as classical, devotional, traditional dances and songs from the youth bodies of the member churches of NCCI showcasing and representing the rich culture and practices throughout the country.

International Youth Day Webinar Series

As part of the IYD commemoration, the NCCI also conducted a weekly month-long series of webinars from 29th July to 18th August 2020 addressing various issues and concerns facing by the youth and the society at large to bring awareness, educate, and build their capacity for further active engagement at the grassroots, regional, national and international level. The IYD webinar series addressed the issues such as, Affirmation Human Rights: Intercepting Human Trafficking; Youth Mental Health; and Youth Engagement for Peacebuilding.

Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei
Executive Secretary –  NCCI Youth Concerns

Affirming Human Rights: Intercepting Human Trafficking International Youth Day Webinar Series

29th July 2020 (Wednesday) 5:00 pm (IST)

 Trafficking in persons is internationally defined criminal offence. Trafficking in human has been identified as the third largest source of profit for organized crimes, following arms and drug trafficking. Trafficking takes place for various purposes such as bonded labour, prostitution, forced marriages, domestic servitude, adoption, begging, organ trade, drug couriers, arms smugglings etc. and is an organized crime that gravely violates basic human rights. Human trafficking is not just a law enforcement issue, but a heinous crime which violates basic human rights, including their right to live with dignity and self-respect.

Trafficking in human beings covers various forms of coercion and exploitation of women, men and children. Responses to trafficking have traditionally focused on combating the criminal networks involved in it or protecting the human rights of victims. Young people, especially those with risk factors, are vulnerable to human trafficking. According to The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 51% of identified victims of trafficking are women, 28% children and 21% men; 72% people exploited in the sex industry are women; 63% of identified traffickers were men and 37% women; 43% of victims are trafficked domestically within national borders. According to a report by the National Human Rights Commission of India, 40,000 children are abducted each year, leaving 11,000 untraced. NGO’s estimate that between 12,000 and 50,000 women and children are trafficked into the country annually from neighbouring nations as a part of the sex trade.

In India, thousands of women, men and children are bonded to their employers, working for little or no wages because their earnings are retained in part or full to repay an outstanding loan. Many still work in agriculture, although bonded labourers are increasingly found in other sectors, including mining, brick making, textiles and domestic service. The victims of bonded labour tend to be drawn from the poorest and least educated segments of the population, from low castes and religious minorities – those who are vulnerable, excluded and voiceless. People in bondage are usually highly indebted to their employer. The debt results in pledging future labour for a few months, a year or longer periods; or may pass from one generation to the next.

This webinar will explore the ground realities and the aftermath of the atrocities done towards the humankind, and the way forward to intercept the violation of human rights.

Resource Persons:

Dr. M. Devasitham, MSW, PhD.

Associate Director, Strategic Development
International Justice Mission, Chennai

Rev. Sumith G Unni

Senior Associate, Community and Corporate Engagement
International Justice Mission, Mumbai

Click here for Registration 

Jianthaolung Gonmei
Executive Secretary,  NCCI Youth Concerns 

NCCI CMAI Webinar on Youth and Mental Health in the Context of COVID-19

                                     

Rebooting as Ekklesia Series:
Youth and Mental Health in the Context of COVID-19
13th June 2020 (Saturday) 05:00 pm (IST)

In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Subsequently in March 2020, the WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. Ever since, the outbreak of COVID-19 throughout the world has caused public panic and mental health stress, with an increasing number of cases being diagnosed and public concerns about infection. The ripples of this pandemic have spread out affecting the public and individuals resulting with interconnected effects on the socio-economic, mental, and physical well being. The society, particularly the young people into experience psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and even death due to loss of jobs, failure of business, disturbance of education (even to the loss of academic year), loss of family members, social lockdown and the restrictions that affect their way of ‘normal’ day to day life.

In India, 65% of the population is less than the age of 35 years and 50% below 25 years of age. These young people are the backbone of the country and at this moment in time of pandemic many of them are undergoing mental breakdown. The social and economic fissures exposed by the pandemic have already caused in unemployment, depleted social safety nets, starvation, among other things among the young people. This post-COVID landscape becomes a fertile breeding ground for an increase in chronic stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence, and self-harm in which the young people have fallen victim.

The Church, Church-based organizations and the faith community as a whole have a great role in rebuilding the holistic well being of the society and individual particularly the young people in both clinical/scientific approach and pastoral care. We will reconnoitre the means and ways from the resource persons during the webinar.

Resource Persons:
Dr. Kimneihat Vaiphei
Asst. Professor,
Department of Psychiatric Social Work
NIMHANS, Bangalore
Rev. Dr. Israel David
Asst. Professor,
Department of Christian Ministry
Union Biblical Seminary, Pune

Click here for registration.

Download Concept Note

 

Migrant Lives Matter: NCCI – Youth Futsal on International Migrants Day

Migration is a major phenomenon in the history of the world. People keep migrating for different reasons. Some find life in migrating, while for some it is a matter of survival. A large part of migration in today’s context however is forced on people and this needs to be addressed.

Concerns and issues relating to migration have been addressed though not adequately enough. The Youth Concerns program and the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), taking cue from the mandate of the XXVIII Quadrennial Assembly of the NCCI have been working on this for close to four years.

In line with this mandate, a “Futsal Tournament” was planned so that concerns and issues endemic to migration can be highlighted among youth and students. The Futsal tournament kicks started on 18th December, 2019 on International Migrants Day. NCCI in collaboration with Maharashtra Council of Churches Nagpur Zone organized the tournament at Chandra Devi Saraf School, Nagpur. Eight teams, representing the Nagpur Mizo Union, North East Christian Fellowship, All Saints Cathedral, New Life Charitable Trust, Sports Ministry, SFS Parish, Martin Nagar Parish, Pinnacle Worshippers and Hislop College participated in the Futsal Tournament. Nagpur Mizo Union and Hislop College were the two teams who played the final match. Nagpur Mizo Union won the match and Hislop College were the runners up.

The Futsal Tournament brought a good tiding of sportsmanship and union among the Christian Youth in Nagpur. It also worked as a platform to impress upon the youth the issue of migration and the need for them to be hospitable to migrants amidst whom they live.

NCCI Youth Concerns invites young people for Ecumenical Internship

Ecumenical formation is a unique program of National Council of Churches in India – Youth Concerns, which offers young people an excellent opportunity to work in and experience in a setting of ecumenical praxis. The Internship Programme is only the beginning of a long process, it encourages young people to start the journey of ecumenism and become ecumenical ambassadors in the future. The internship programme mainly focuses on the ministry priority areas (Five Foci) for the 2016-2020 quadrennium: Ecumenism and Mission; Human Rights; Peace Building Migration and Trafficking.

Scope of Internship

  1. Learning national and global ecumenical history, heritage and practice
  2. Assistance to the work in NCCI General Secretariat & Commissions
  3. Ecumenical Sunday Worships-Visits to Different Denominations
  4. Weekend-Visits to Ecumenical/Social Organizations
  5. Strengthening Ecumenical & Church Relations with NCCI Member Constituents
  6. Book Reviews & Ecumenical articles writing from ecumenical perspective
  7. Documentation & Report Writing
  8. Internship will be for a period of six months starting from 7th January 2020
  9. Interfaith interactions and exposures
  10. Project work in respective region before the completion of internship

Eligibility

  1. Candidates should belong and be recommended from one of the Constituent Member Churches/ Regional Councils/ Christian Organizations or Related Agency of the NCCI.
  2. Should be a Graduate and be in the age group of 20-30 years.
  3. Should have a working knowledge of English.
  4. Willingness to learn Hindi and other local languages.
  5. Basic knowledge of computer is desirable.
  6. Should be committed and willing to utilize their ecumenical experience and expertise in their respective church/organization.

Application Procedure

  1. Last date of submission: 20th December 2019.
  2. Candidates can apply with bio-data along with endorsements from their Church/ Organization to NCCI at youth@ncci1914.com
  • The applicants who are selected will be informed after a due process of selection.
  1. Basic living accommodation with food will be provided and a nominal monthly allowance of Rs. 5,000/-
  2. Internships are open for young people from other countries also, provided adequate reference is available. Internships of foreign nationals or NRI’s can also apply who are sponsored by the sending Church/Organization.

Jianthaolung Gonmei

Executive Secretary –Youth Concerns

Ph.  +91 84591 18640

NCCI Youth Futsal 2019

“Youth Futsal 2019” is the first of its kind initiated for the youth of the 18 Regional Councils of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) to come together and strengthen the ecumenical fellowship through sports for a cause. Youth Futsal 2019 focuses on the issue of Migration and the problems faced daily by migrants in India. The Youth Futsal 2019 is launched under the theme “Towards Just and Inclusive Communities: Affirming Identities in Migration through Sports”. The Youth Futsal 2019 comprises of 36 teams – 2 teams (men and women) from each 18 Regional Councils, spread across the country into 4 zones – North, South, East and Central respectively.

 

“Celebrating Our Journey Together” : NCCI Youth Leaders’ Meeting

 

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) caters approximately 4 million youths through its member churches throughout the country. The subversive energy of this network needs to be harnessed to bring about an uprising in the country. This possibility should not be trampled especially at such a time as this when India stands at the verge of being the youngest country in the world.  With these encouraging thoughts in mind NCCI – Youth Concerns organized a Youth Leaders’ Meeting on the theme “Celebrating Our Journey Together” from 29th April to 1st May 2019 at the NCCI Secretariat Nagpur.

 The NCCI Youth Leaders’ Meet focused on bringing the youth leaders to share the ideas and visions of exertion that are involve and build a common ecumenical platform and accordance across the country especially among the youths. The three day gathering also focused on the capacity building for youth leaders and creates opportunity to address various social concerns and issues such as Human Rights, Migration, Human Trafficking, Peace and Reconciliation across the country.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary, NCCI shared the visions and dreams concerning youths and youthood in which he accentuated to realize the potential of the existing network offered by the NCCI and to use it wisely to counter the elements of fascism, disenfranchisement and communal violence being sown by the political bigots of our country. Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei, Executive Secretary, Youth Concerns, NCCI in the welcome address shared the purpose and prospects of the meeting urging the respective youth secretaries gathered to mobilize the youths of their churches and dioceses through various workshops, rallies, campaigns and other creative initiatives and solidify the ecumenical commitment, mutually learn from each other and plan and dream together programmes on a larger scale.

Rev. K. Noah David, Youth Secretary, South Andhra Lutheran Church (SALC) gave a presentation on the topic “Youth in Socioeconomic and Political Context” wherein he spoke about the importance of inspiring the youths especially in churches to be politically literate so as to safeguard the secular fabric of the country. Thereafter, a Panel Presentation on the theme “Youth Capacity Building in Practice” with four panellists viz. Rev. Asir Ebenezer, Ms. Cheryl, Councillors, Sharansthan Charitable Society Nagpur, Mr. Kasta Dip, Director, India Peace Centre and Mr. Jianthaolung Gonmei who spoke on “Freedom of Religion and Beliefs”, “Human Rights and Human Trafficking”, “Peace and Reconciliation” and “Migration” respectively. The session was moderated by Mr. Ashish Yusuf, Youth Secretary, Mennonite Church in India.

The youth leaders had an interactive session of sharing the various areas of engagements among the youths in their respective churches or regions which ruminate as an opportunity to learn from the other.  The youth leaders also had an opportunity to visit the socio-religious important places in Indian history such as Deekshabhoomi, India Peace Centre and Zero Mile Stone of India. The delegates also participated in Shradhanjali Programme, a condolence meeting convened at the Press Club of Nagpur to pay homage in solidarity to the victims of the genocide of Sri Lanka.

Deliberation on the Youth

 Matters: Youth Policy Drafting Guidelines, a guideline drafted by NCCI, Youth Concerns for the youth in church was made. Suggestions, additions, omissions etc. were solicited from the participants so as to update the same for better. Time was also devoted to develop common and individual programmes and to see to it how to nurture the ecumenical fellowship and solidarity more proactively. There was space for the delegates to share their feedback and recommendations. In short the three days program was focused and purpose oriented and the delegates bid adieu with a strong determination to engage more productively with the youths of their respective churches. The three-day programmes was initiated with a daily devotion led by Dn. Basil Paul, an intern at NCCI-Youth Concerns.

The meeting bore witness to the Youth Leaders from 13 churches.

Events

NCCI National Ecumenical Youth Assembly

Venue: Baldwin International School, Bangalore