| Participants: 110 | Nations Represented: 38 |
Lisbon, Portugal—The RYS selected Portugal as the host nation for the next project and chose to largely focus on caring for the African immigrant population near Lisbon. Constructing a community center was a way to help give a place for older and younger generations to come together in a spirit of togetherness. This is especially important sociologically since the immigrant parents and children born in Portugal often adopt different sets of values and priorities.
Work Projects:
- Lisbon: Participants built a community center and received the cooperation of the Catholic relief organization, CARITAS. A second project carried out was that of paving walking paths in the steep, dangerous hilly area of the community where heavy rains caused the recent death of a child and other problems.
Summary: This was the first European-based project and drew on religious advisors from all the different faiths. This project helped show many people what the RYS was about. Lack of experienced site leaders was a weakness. The closing reflection at Fatima was a very deep experience. This project drew a geographic and religiously diverse participant base.
Portugal staff:
Project Director: Mr. Gary Young
Program Director: Mrs. Nancy Yamamoto
Education Co-coordinator: Dr. Patricia Gleason
Site-Leaders: Mr. David and Rev. Aruna Alexander
Rev. George Emory, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Rabbi
Mr. Phillip and Izelda Withers
Advisors:
Dr. Inamulah Khan
Dr. Avtar Singh (Templeton Award winner)
Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam