Less than four months ago, the Lutheran World Federation launched an exciting new program for young adults: LWF together – the earth needs you. More than 100 groups of young people joined and are since then in contact with two other groups in different continents. We asked the leaders of the groups to give their impressions of the first months.

How is it going?

Many groups report to be quite happy with the program. Motiviated groups are working on the basis of the LWF together guidebook and are in contact with other groups. They are doing the bible studies and exchange perspectives.

Many groups, however, report problems to be in contact with one or sometimes even both partner groups. Also, groups differ very much in speed. There are groups that meet once a week, others only once a month.

Another issue for groups is the different timing of school holidays. There are countries in the Northern hemisphere that have school vacations from June to September. During that time, it is very difficult for groups to meet. For many groups in the Southern hemisphere, it is exactly the opposite. It is school time and it is easy to meet regularly.

Ideas to improve

The leaders of the groups contributed several ideas:

• More frequent communication from the LWF office could help keep the groups on track.
• Perhaps inviting to concrete action would help the groups to do specific things (beyond the action ideas in the guidebook).
• Share the snail mail addresses in order to make contacts possible for those who have bad Internet connection.
• Organize real life meeting within a given country.
• The guidebook should be more clear about how the outcome of the group should be shared.