Nairobi — Over six thousand young people from different countries are expected in Nairobi next week for a five-day event organised by the Taizé brothers community of France.

The meeting, from November 26 to 30, has been prepared over the past year by brothers from Taizé and volunteers from different continents in collaboration with youth chaplains from churches in Nairobi. The theme will be, 'Sharing hope'.

The ecumenical community of Taizé was founded by Brother Roger in 1940 in France. It works for unity between Christians and welcomes thousands of young adults throughout the year. It has organized similar gatherings in other cities, including Johannesburg in 1995, Calcutta in 2006, Cochabamba, Bolivia, in 2007, and Geneva in 2007.

The program of the international meeting will mainly consist of prayer and sharing, the organisers said. The main venue will be on the grounds of Queen of Apostles minor seminary on Thika Road.

The morning program will take place in the 70 parishes and church congregations and religious institutions where the participants will be accommodated. Local youth will escort their guests to visit places of suffering and hope and share the creativity and commitment of 'people of hope' in the neighbourhoods.

The Nairobi meeting is intended to support young people in their search for God and their desire to commit themselves in their Church and in society.

Thousands of young people, Catholic and Protestant, from different provinces of Kenya and other countries are already registered: 500 from Tanzania, 450 from Uganda, 260 from Rwanda, 50 from Burundi, 20 from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other participants will be from South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia, the Sudan, Mozambique and Angola. Over one hundred young people will come from Europe, Asia and North America. The first ones arrived on November 15 and have started a program in different communities in Nairobi.

Brother Alois, the prior of the Taizé community, along with several Taizé brothers will take part in the Nairobi event. Cardinal John Njue, the archbishop of Nairobi, will be present during the evening prayer on November 28 at 6.00 pm. Other church leaders from various denominations are expected to take part in some of the prayer services.

Transport will be provided to participants from the host parishes to the central venue of the meeting. Common prayer at 1 pm and 6 pm will take place under large tents, meals will be served and different workshops will take place in the afternoon.

Taizé brothers lived in Nairobi (in Mathare and Kangemi) from 1978 until 1989. Brother Roger, founder of Taize, first visited Kenya in 1978 and later in 1987.

For more information go to: http://taize.fr/en or contact the Brothers of Taizé, Mji wa Furaha, tel: +254 720 132 017, info@taize-nairobi.net