The start is just a couple of days away: the registration phase for the International Youth Convention is here. From Sunday, 14th October 2018 you can register through the internet website www.iyc2019.org.

The news will be passed on to many New Apostolic congregations this coming Sunday in a circular to announce that the registration phase for the International Youth Convention 2019 is starting. Registration will be in the form of groups through your congregations and districts – just as for the European Youth Day 2009. This is to reduce the organisational effort beforehand and also onsite in Düsseldorf. It will also ensure that a contact person is named for participating minors.

Young persons up to 35 years of age

The invitation to the International Youth Convention goes out to all young persons aged from 14 to 35 – independent of family status. Also invited are the confirmands for the year 2020.

In addition, all youth delegates and confirmation teachers, congregation rectors and their representatives, district ministers, Bishops and Apostles are invited, together with their partners. The organisers would be very happy if the partners were willing to act as helpers – as long as other commitments permit.

A Youth Convention for everyone

Although organisational requirements necessitate registration to be made through the congregations of the New Apostolic Church, the International Youth Convention is open to all who identify with the same target group.

”We are very happy for all who take up the chance of experiencing the Youth Convention in Düsseldorf”, said Dr. Franz-Wilhelm Otten, managing director of the operating company, IJT 2019 Düsseldorf gGmbH. “I especially look forward to the young people who come and bring their friends from their congregations with them on this weekend. The International Youth Convention is a great opportunity for us to become newly inspired in our faith and in our Church.”

How do I register myself?

Registration for the International Youth Convention 2019 is by groups, each group having a group leader. The first step is therefore to determine in the congregation who will take on that responsibility. The group leader must be of full age by May 2019. It is also important to know that the group must travel together to Düsseldorf and must be accommodated together – either in one of the youth camps on the exhibition premises or outside. Furthermore, it is not possible for a part of the group to stay overnight in a hotel and the remainder to sleep in a youth camp onsite.

The group leader starts the registration process for the Youth Convention. This firstly requires he or she to register through the address www.iyc2019.org under “Taking part” and “Registering”, before he/she can begin to form a group using a unique activation code (registration cards with the code are held in the congregation). The group leader can then invite other members per email or he/she requests a newly generated group code with which each participant can use themselves to join the group.

Members having joined a group must also register themselves through the IYC website and add their profile. Those who have submitted an item for the programme will already have created their profile. Participating minors will require written consent by the legal guardian.

Up to five groups per congregation

Each congregation will firstly have received up to five registration cards, which means that a maximum of five groups can be formed. Extra cards can be requested, on demand, through the respective district Church. It is recommended, for example, that “hotel overnighters” are gathered together in one group – even if they are staying in different locations.

There is neither a limit to the size of a group or to its regional composition. It is therefore possible for other congregations to join in one group or for friends, acquaintances and family members to form one group.

Avoid individual groups

Groups of one individual should be avoided where possible. An individual registering on his/her own is a group of just one member. That group consists then only of the group leader.

An exception is the family with young children, who should register as its own group so that it is not accommodated in one of the youth camps. Families will be allocated a separate dormitory hall on request.

”Guidelines for registration” to download

Detailed information, including other procedures and special issues can be downloaded following the registration start in the “Guidelines for registration” on the internet website of the International Youth Convention. You will also find the form of consent for parents to permit participation by minors.