In the five months starting in September 2006 the IofC-UK Schools Programme team facilitated 45 Sixth Form sessions in many parts of England and Scotland.
This year Howard Grace was joined by Chris James (Australia), Roshan Gul (New Zealand) and Vlad Oleatovschi (Moldova). Having spent nine months with Action for Life in Asia and developing a very good rapport with young people there, they came to the UK to compare thoughts on the sort of world their generation would like to see. Much of the present atmosphere of society, such as advertising, appeals to self. But does this really satisfy? And does this limited purpose address the needs of our times? So the theme of discussion was: Beyond Satisfaction. Sessions usually lasted about an hour with an average of 70 Sixth Form students. The added dimension this year was the use of drama. Students became very engaged with the presentation, which set the scene for personal stories from the international team. A highlight of Roshan’s sharing was her holding a candle which was lighted when positive experiences were shared and extinguished for negative ones. This also focussed the need to not be blown around by outside influences but to be true to the light from within. That gives a deeper sense of fulfilment. There was genuine appreciation from students and staff at all schools visited. As the team left the first Reading school students in a corridor clapped as the team went by. Many were left with the thought that to live on the get may bring a certain short term satisfaction but to live on the give brings a deeper and longer lasting sense of fulfilment.
English