There is a word, originally of French derivation: élan. That word captures well the people and the atmosphere at this year’s week-long YPAT program, which concluded on Monday, July 1 in Campion College, Sydney.

Élan conveys a sense of fresh energy, confident style and a certain flair and competence. The root of the word is related to the English word “lance”, suggesting a sort of focused and carefully directed energy and that exactly captures the work of the young YPAT team who worked tirelessly and seamlessly, yet with a lightness of humour. This year’s YPAT leaders worked on the program over months, as they very capably devised the program, invited the speakers, prepared the bookings and social media, and chaired each session. They were most impressive.

Pope Benedict XVI used the term élan when considering the importance of young people, particularly those motivated by faith, hope and love.

In one instance he refers to the modern, secular West losing its élan, implying both a loss of purpose and substance. On another occasion he encourages the young faithful to restore the “missionary élan” so sorely needed in the Church in the West. In another place the Pope describes the work of grace and the Holy Spirit on the apostles, saying that their post-Pentecost élan “which is a fruit of hope based on transforming grace” galvanised a group of disparate fisherfolk and minor functionaries into “luminaries of the Church”.

There was certainly a sense of emerging luminosity amongst the two dozen YPAT participants and the organising team as the week progressed. The numbers were well-balanced between young men and young women, with some returning for YPAT for a second year. The young people asked some of the visiting experts probing questions, they discussed important issues together with vigour, they laughed and invented games together and shared their stories and discernments into the nights.

YPAT began as an acronym for Young Political Advocacy Training and 2024 marks the 15th year of a variation of this immersive training. This year’s YPAT organisers are YPAT alumni, some of over 250 veterans of the YPAT experience. YPAT events were direct descendants of the earlier Thomas More Centre Summer School events of the early 2000s, but the program concentrated a “mastery” experience in a more intensive form.

This year the program leaned into the reflective and analytical aspects of “the common good”, but it also provided opportunities for exploring the individual “good” of each person attending.

Participants came from different experiences and were aged between 18-30. They hailed from Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Some were students at university level, some were current or graduate Campion College students, some work in various professions, others in trades and others were working in lay apostolates of various kinds.

The YPAT program was full. It provided a wide screen onto the contemporary world. The young people were able to interact with the speakers and each other while they chewed over Catholic social doctrine, the quality of leadership, cultural history, clear and critical thinking, matters touching on family policy, the long tail of existential nihilism, vocations in the media and film, issues relating to national security and the sustainability of energy sources. There was an intensive workshop that allowed the participants to explore their “spiritual gifts” as a lens through which to consider their personal vocations and work.

A particularly vivid and powerful presentation was given about the Northern Territory land councils and the Ngaanyatjarra Camel Company in the Northern Territory, and about working to build a culturally compatible venture that enables Australian indigenous people ownership and fulfilling enterprise.

There were several opportunities for optional experiences outside the lecture format. Many attended the compelling performance of Oscar Wilde’s play The Ideal Husband staged by the youthful Upstage Productions under the direction of Paul Murphy. The play was very professionally staged, directed and performed with enthusiastic audiences filling the venue at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church Hall, Lidcombe. There was a captivating interview about filmmaking and the film industry with director Elvis Joseph, followed by a viewing of Joseph’s film adaptation of the “fantastical play” by G.K. Chesterton: Magic.

The days began and ended with optional but well-attended hours of the Divine Office, while all were invited to attend the sung English Byzantine liturgy at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Sunday. Several of the organising team contributed as servers and to the choir which dignified the ancient liturgy, while Fr Justin McDonnell and the congregation welcomed the YPAT participants and organisers.

There were other memorable moments and features of this year’s YPAT. The hospitality and service of the Campion College chef, management and catering team was warm and generous. The children who accompanied their parents interacted with the adult program and took part in the trials of some TMC tutorials designed specifically for them.

There was a strong sense of family at the program as several pairs of siblings travelled to be part of the program. The Knight and Makowiecki families livened up the intergenerational conversation at YPAT. Six-month-old baby Bonaventure with his wide-eyed wonder, patience and joy was an excuse for even the most po-faced participant to defend what Chesterton called “baby worship”.

I want to thank all the staff, donors and supporters who provided generous hours and funds to support the running and participation at YPAT 2024. You will receive more detailed reports about the fruits of your contributions that were excellently deployed at YPAT.

Your investment in the spiritual, intellectual and cultural capital of these future leaders has been life-changing.

Bless you!

Anna Krohn
Executive Director
Thomas More Centre