A group of 14 delegates attending the World Youth Congress (WYC) in Stirling travelled to Ayr to participate in the Wallacetoun Environmental Art Project.

This is the third year that a WYC has been staged, and this year during the ten day Congress six hundred delegates, between 18 and 25 years of age, from 142 countries gathered in Stirling.

Earlier this summer the G8 Summit was held in Gleneagles and delegates came from some of the world’s richest countries. The WYC saw delegates attending from some of the most poverty stricken countries in the world including Africa, Zambia, Albania and Moldova, as well as more affluent parts of the world.

The aim of the Congress was to promote the part that young people can play in poverty eradication, peace, equality and environmental issues. The theme of the Congress for 2005 was “young people working for a sustainable world community’. Small groups of delegates worked on forty practical action projects throughout Scotland, which gave them a chance to put theory into practice, working on issues such as community regeneration, forestry restoration and drug rehabilitation projects.

South Ayrshire Council and Wallacetoun Residents Association teamed up with the WYC to deliver an action project in Ayr. Delegates from around the globe focused on environmental improvements, using visual arts, in spaces valued by the community in this particular part of South Ayrshire. Participants from the Congress shared their experience of creative ways of utilising public space. During the delegates three day visit, and following interaction with local young people, newly created design themes will be transformed into artwork that will be displayed locally prior to them returning home. In order that the delegates have a permanent reminder of their time in South Ayrshire they will take home a photographic record of their work.

Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell hosted a Civic Reception within the County Buildings for the delegates and those involved in the art project.

Speaking afterwards he said: “I am delighted that the Council has been involved in such a significant project. The young people attending the World Youth Congress, who travelled to Ayr will gain valuable experience of how visual arts can enhance the environment in South Ayrshire.

“I am particularly pleased that the group worked on a community project, and were able to see for themselves the strong partnership that exists between the Council and the Wallacetoun Residents Association.”

The Wallacetoun Residents Association made the visiting group extremely welcome and accommodation was provided at the Dolphin House within Culzean Country Park. During their short say the group had a full itinerary which included opportunities to sample traditional Scottish fare, South Ayrshire hospitality and to view some of the facilities this area has to offer.

The visiting delegates were keen to return the hospitality given to them during their visit have issued an invitation to all the young people they worked within in South Ayrshire to attend a rock concert which will be held in Stirling at the conclusion of the Congress.

Over 4,000 international applications were received from young people who wished to attend the Congress, and Scotland was well represented with approximately half of the one hundred United Kingdom delegates coming from Scotland.

During the Congress in Stirling debates and workshops were held to formulate solutions for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious planet. With delegates taking part in local projects across Scotland, they were able to learn about social problems that exist even in affluent countries such as Scotland.

The Congress is so well respected internationally that at its conclusion documents will be drawn up summarising the conclusions of the Congress and presented to the United Nationals in New York later this year.

Launched by Peace Child International (PCI) in 1999, the WYC is a biennial event that provides a forum for like-minded individuals to come together to share their expertise and skills, share best practice and improve links with young people in other countries, as well as development agencies across the world.

Further information on the World Youth Congress and action projects can be found by logging on to www.scotland2005.org

Pictured at the Civic Reception within the County Buildings are delegates from the World Youth Congress, Elected Members, and Officers from South Ayrshire Council.

Gathered together at the Civic Reception are Elected Members, representatives from the Wallacetoun Tenants and Residents Association and local people involved in the project.

Delegates, local residents and invited guests gathered at an open space adjacent to Newton Park Primary School with gardening tools ready to tidy up the area.

Delegates at the Dolphin House within Culzean Country Park enjoying a fine barbecue.




August 2005