Diocesan Youth Commission (KDŻ)

The Diocesan Youth Commission was founded on the 16th of January 1983.  As the official body of the Church in Malta responsible for the evangelization of young people, KDZ seeks to develop, coordinate and survey pastoral youth ministry in Malta.

The aims of this commission are to:

• listen to young people's needs by regularly commissioning research projects in youth related fields
• examine and evaluate pastoral youth work
• on this research basis and through a process of discernment, prepares plans for youth ministry in a strategic and professional manner to be implemented in all sectors of life involving young people: parishes, work, education, leisure/recreation and the social sphere
• express the voice of youths in the Church and in society
• advise the Archbishop and other pastoral bodies with regards to the youth sphere;
• be a coordinating platform for all entities related to the youth sphere
• ensure ongoing formation for youth ministers.
• create and offer resources in relation to work with young people

As part of its mission, KDŻ also offers a number of services to youths and youth leaders.

Administration: At the moment, KDŻ’s administration consists of Fr. Savio Vella (the Archbishop’s delegate), Fr Marco Portelli (Assistant delegate), two full-time project-coordinators (Maria C Borg and Mariella Chetcuti) and a part-time clerk (Michelina Felice). KDŻ also has a number of young volunteers who give their time and support to implement the mission of the Commission. 

KDŻ is continuously trying to develop its work by studying the Synod’s document on adolescents and youth and making sure that the latter is implemented. http://www.sinodu.org.mt/docs/doc-8.html. The synod’s documents on adolescents and youth seek to structure youth ministry around the 4 pillars of pastoral work, namely liturgy, communitarian life, diaconia and formation.  KDŻ is currently undergoing an inner restructuring and also seeking to develop solid external structures in order to enable more solid ground for the implementation of the Synod’s vision. The following are some resources, services and other aids that KDŻ offers to those involved in youth ministry.

Communitarian Life: Coordination of World Youth Day (Jum iż-Żgħażagħ) and Meeteen. Website including information on current events and activities, alternative entertainment possibilities, training courses both in Malta and abroad and more www.kdz.org.mt

Liturgy: Help in forming animation groups and in the formation of liturgy animators. Publication of Iktus song book. List of youth mass around Malta.

Diaconia: Volunteer Information service for those interested in doing voluntary work both in Malta and abroad:  Volonteer Information Service.  

Formation: Certificate in Youth Ministry (in collaboration with the Faculty of Theology, SPYS and CIS) Formation meetings for youth leaders, Resource Centre, other resources such as meeting schemes, help for setting up the KPAŻ (Kummissjoni Parrokkjali Adolexxenti u Żgħażagħ). Publication of Mill-KDŻ magazine and Topik (resource book on sexuality).