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Friends of the Youth Section,
Last night a circle gathered at the Youth Section house in Dornach to discuss an article written one hundred years ago by Maria Röschl-Lehrs. Maria Röschl-Lehrs was the first leader of the Youth Section. The article characterizes a new spirituality appearing in young people of that time, with great potential for societal and cultural renewal. Yet the renewing influence of this spirituality is not guaranteed, indeed, it can become destructive if it is not understood, or if it is frustrated by existing structures, forms, and culture. We looked back over the last century with this on our hearts, and then turned to our moment, March of 2024. What do we experience of this? We can look back to student movements that radiate a definite shift in the cultural register, that challenged the status quo. Many young people from the past century have felt the scope and meaning of human life must be expanded and
deepened. In the process, the legitimacy of so many institutions has been shaken to the core. But there is more, we now find ourselves in a radical technological revolution.
The openness to discuss spirituality today is in part an outcome of the new qualities Maria Röschl-Lehrs already saw in young hearts and minds of her time. In digital technology, we meet a powerful new dimension of structure, form, and culture. How can it frustrate and distort the renewing potential in every young heart? Can it serve or complement the new spirituality?
In this newsletter, you will find contributions and reflections from many young people relating to the recent conference "Digital Technology and Spirituality" that took place at the Goetheanum, as well as an exciting section of upcoming events.
Members from the global network of youth groups and projects set the goal this year to launch a fund to support the attendance of the Co-Workers' Gathering this year (At the Co-Workers' Gathering there will be a focus on the future of higher education, digital technology and spirituality and the 100-year birthday of our Section). The basic principle of the fund is: We all put in what we can, and we distribute the funds where it is needed to get everyone to the meeting. You will see that youth groups have already contributed 3,000 CHF. Do spread the word and give what you can!
At the Goetheanum, and afar, many people are working to prepare for the upcoming International Students’ Conference. At the moment it looks like we will be welcoming over 600 students between April 10-14 from all around the world. There are ways to help, you can find out more below! We will be sharing more about this event in future newsletters.
With greetings from the Goetheanum,
Nathaniel Williams
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