Over 50 Embassies Receive Update on #WYD #Madrid11

Over 50 Embassies Receive Update on WYD Madrid
July 13, 2011 By wydcentral

Madrid, July 8, 2011 – World Youth Day in Madrid held its third informational meeting with representatives from over 50 embassies around the world accredited in the Spanish capital, in order to offer them a first-hand report on the latest details of WYD, just over a month away from the event. Representatives of Brazil, Cape Verde, Croatia, Norway, Ghana, Iceland, Haiti and Thailand, attended the briefing.

“As WYD approaches, I wish to express my gratitude for your collaboration. You have a played an undisputed role in this strongly international event,” highlighted Bishop Cesar Franco, General Coordinator of WYD.

This session was attended by Bishop Cesar Franco, General Coordinator of WYD, Yago de la Cierva, Executive Director, José Carlos Sanjuan, Head of Protocol, Francisco Morales, Head of Security, and Rafael Rubio, Communications Director.

Also present was the Papal Nuncio in Spain, Archbishop Renzo Fratini, and representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Domestic Affairs, Labor and Social Affairs, along with a Presidential envoy.

There are currently over 440,000 young people from 182 countries registered. The ten countries with the highest number of registrations are: Italy, Spain, France, USA, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, Poland, and Argentina. In Africa, the countries with the most young people registered are South Africa and Nigeria; in Asia, the Philippines; and in Oceania, Australia.

The international character of WYD is also reflected in the official WYD website, translated into 13 languages ​​and in WYD’s official profile on Facebook, available in 21 languages.

Security and accommodations

Francisco Morales, Head of Security for WYD, stressed that “there is a close collaboration between the government and World Youth Day, which always follows its guidelines in planning to oversee the flow of pilgrims at the main events, along with a plan for self-security“. All registered pilgrims will have insurance to cover the cost of medical attention and repatriation if necessary. Morales stressed that, “the organization has a special concern for safety, especially that of the youth.”

There will be ten information desks for pilgrims, at the airport. The WYD backpacks will be distributed to participants in the accomodation venues and at IFEMA, for those who have not requested accommodation.

In addition, participants will also receive, as part of their registration, transportation passes for the days of the main events (for the entire week or only the weekend, depending on their registration), meal tickets (if they have requested meals in their registration), and the pilgrim pass which allows access to the main WYD events, cultural activities, and admission to state museums and National Heritage.

The world in a city

In the WYD events, it will be very evident that this encounter is taking place in Madrid, however it is first and foremost a gathering of young people from around the world. The Welcoming Ceremony for Benedict XVI will be at the Puerta de Alcalá and five young people, one from each continent, will walk through each of the arches of the monument.

The Way of the Cross will feature fourteen images from around Spain along with the World Youth Day Cross, which will be carried by groups of young people from fourteen countries experiencing different types of suffering from natural disasters, famine, or disease. A young person from each continent will also be chosen to ask the Pope a question at the Vigil.