ZAK - opportunities for young people

Z.A.K. (Zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika) is a national Catholic youth organisation, with a number of youth centres in different parishes. Its main purpose is to provide programmes of spiritual and personal development.

ZAK offers young people the opportunity to meet other youths and to socialise while participating in different activities organised from time to time in the parishes or on a national level.

These activities help young people develop in a positive spiritual and social environment.

ZAK members have the opportunity to share their experiences with their friends and thus help develop their self-expression, while helping all the group to learn from different situations and experiences.

When attending a ZAK group, members also have the chance to obtain honest advice and, when necessary, can also be referred to other organisations offering special advice.

Youths are encouraged to get involved in parish activities and other community functions. Through regular participation, young people get the opportunity to take the best decision on their future.

The formation received over a period of time helps youths become more self-sufficient.

Currently ZAK has 22 groups: Birzebbuga, Birkirkara, St Julian's, Hamrun Kuncizzjoni, Ta' l-Ibrag, L-Iklin, Kalkara, Marsa Maria Regina, Marsa Trinità, Mgarr, Mosta, Mosta Santa Margerita, Paola Christ the King, Paola Lourdes, Qrendi, Safi, St Paul's Bay, Siggiewi, Tarxien, Zabbar, Zebbug and Zurrieq.

Meetings are held every week for various age groups starting from 10 years upwards. Each youth group is facilitated by a youth worker who is either a priest or a lay person together with the young people themselves. The guiding principle is 'equal opportunity and access'.

ZAK is a member of two international organisations: the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe and FIMCAP. During the year ZAK organises various activities for its members. The main national activities are a barbecue at the beginning of summer, a summer camp in September and a New Year's Eve party, which is always alcohol- free.

All leaders are given many opportunities each year to attend leadership training, both locally and abroad as it believes in the ongoing training of leaders. Most members also get opportunities to attend live-ins, whose topic depends on the particular needs of each ZAK group.

Right now most of the leaders are involved in the preparation of the summer camp which will be attended by more than 300 members split into three age groups.

Earlier this month, ZAK hosted Eurocontact 2003 in Malta. Participants from eight countries, all of whom are members of Fimcap, participated in this week-long encounter.

Participants had the opportunity to appreciate the gifts God gave us and thus reflect on all that is around us. The gifts include love, individuality, an individual's abilities, friendship and environment. These were explored in detail throughout the week. There were also creative activities.

For more information about ZAK visit www.zakmalta.org.