Dreaming Together: A Youthful Journey with NEANZ

The NEANZ Province began its journey in September 2025, inspiring us to dream of a vibrant future built with our young people. By growing into ‘Sacred Heart Leaders,’ our youth from Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan bring Sophie’s dream to life.

Since their first online meeting in January 2026, twenty-one enthusiastic participants, including seventeen young leaders and four RSCJs, have grown close, finally meeting in person on February 9th at a retreat house in Paju, Korea. It was a beautiful and meaningful step for the NEANZ Province.

Over four days, we wove our cultures together, deepened our dedication to JPIC, and embraced the serene beauty of Korea through quiet reflection in nature. The second day in particular was a ‘JPIC Day’. Through heartfelt sharing and field visits with Ji-sun Kim, Young-mi Min, and Jeong-hye Bang, we discovered how deeply we are all connected by the threads of peace and love.

Participant reflections

I truly saw many young people who, like me, harbor the same aspirations and convictions—we have different faces and speak different languages, yet, just like in the final ‘Relationship Web’ activity, we used our different directions and origins to weave together a strong and tightly-knit net. We are interconnected, we support one another, and we share the strength to do something for the world together.

– Miffy

Later, when communicating with friends from other regions, I discovered that at the beginning, each of us was nervous, but everyone was full of sincerity. Later, we gradually let go of anxiety, and this experience gradually turned into a dream-like experience, deeply touching the heart.

– Dian

What impressed me most was the meaning our group collectively explored for JPIC—that it is about ‘relationships,’ including those between nations, between humans and nature…

– Esther

I sensed that the tall tree trunks under sunlight gave us direction and hope. Observing the vegetation without sunlight slowed my own rhythm; it was stability, security… Isn’t our team like this too? Coming from different cultures, backgrounds, ages, and expertise, each of us can contribute at different times. We take turns filling in, giving to one another, becoming each other’s strength.

– Sunny

Towards Our Next Encounter: World Youth Day 2027 and Beyond

I hope that the abundant love and connections gained through this gathering will spread warmth to those around us in our daily lives.

I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who worked hard to prepare for this gathering, especially the ‘Youthspace Barat’ team, who prepared so diligently.

I also thank the NEANZ Province and the Mother House for supporting us in various ways to make this gathering possible.

In Korea, we are planning for the 2027 World Youth Day and our own gathering to be held before then. I truly hope we can meet again at that time.

Ji Hyun Lee rscj
NEANZ province