World Youth Day and Networking
Submitted by Marie on 14 July, 2008 - 11:39.
Australia was chosen as the site of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations and announced by Pope Benedict XVI during the conclusion of the 2005 World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany.
There has been significant criticism of the 2008 World Youth Day due to the quarter of a billion dollar funding arrangement from the Commonwealth and New South Wales State Governments. Both the Commonwealth and New South Wales State Governments have stated that the revenue generated by World Youth Day will offset these costs. Catholic schools and community centres have been kind enough to provide accomodation for the young group of people who are visiting Sydney. The NSW government have been busy trying to sort out the logistics, transportation and security issues, but so far everything seems to be going to plan.
World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984, that would bring together millions of young people on pilgrimage to Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, and Oceania.
According to Wikipedia, the idea behind World Youth Day, stemmed from Pope John Paul II's experience with his young friends in Srodowisko and their exploration of the personal and vocational dynamics of adolescence and young adulthood. Srodowisko saw youth groups evolve into networks of intellectual conversation. Both youngsters and intellectuals got involved in vacation excursions.
We (Sydney siders) have been warned that there may be delays in public transportation, so we have a few choices to make during this period. We either take a break, work from home or stay away from the city during this hectic time. Luckily for us (or unlucky) we actually live very close to work but also a walking distance from the Sydney CBD. We are starting to see a lot of young pilgrims walking about in our already busy city.
Simon and I walked through Darling Harbour in Sydney on the weekend and took some photos of the preparation and impending celebrations in the coming days. You can see some of the photographs I've taken against this post.
Networking
One news report stated that networking is an important part of getting the pilgrims to World Youth Day 2008. On hearing this, it actually got me thinking about the concept of networking and it's application in our daily lives, business and on the internet.
1. Purpose of Networking - Some people network to gain new friends or new business opportunities. On the internet, you may be involved in social networking to obtain or share knowledge with like-minded people, to promote your business/brand, or simply to make new friends. Why do you network with other people?
2. Networking Benefits - By getting to know other people, you may find some that are extremely helpful and a great support system to have. They may add content to your blog/website, promote your product or idea and are generally good allies to bounce off ideas or share information with. When you meet people like these, don't take them for granted. Like any relationship it's a two-way street, so always maintain a sense of professionalism and respect for each other. If one party is constantly giving, while the other is constantly taking, it will certainly destroy that networking relationship. Try to be fair and balance with how you both approach things. Have you found some great people you are currently networking with?
3. Places to Network - In life, people can network through mutual friends, work, religious affliations, at sporting events, clubs, pubs, or just about anywhere where you may start up a conversation. Through the internet there are many social media sites you can join up with, you have all heard of many of them before so I will not mention them on this post. Depending on what it is you wish to achieve will define the type of social networking site that will work for you. If you want to promote your website/blog or just who you are, I've found that visiting regularly sites of interest and leaving quality and constructive comments or participating in the forums can help get you noticed. What has worked for you?
4. Creating a list of Friends - These days a lot of people have their own list of friends or are on someone's list of friends. This is great, provided that you are on a list with a group of like-minded people who share your ideas and understand the areas you are interested in. There's nothing like getting a shout on Digg (from a friend) about a new 'hot sports car' if you're interested in saving the environment. Therefore, find a list or group of people where you have a common ground. You do not need to agree on the same thing or like exactly the same thing, but having the same basic fundamental view of certain concepts will certainly help. Do you have a small or big list of friends? How effective is it?
Now look around, start networking with those around you and find a connection. You might be surprised with what you find out, what you may learn and what opportunities it may open up for you.
This is a REAL prize notification message, so read on: Congratulations, Marie! As the first person to post a comment on my new blog, you're the winner! (Even though there was no official contest announcement, in view of what you're teaching me about Internet best practices and blog etiquette it's clear some sort of prize is in order.)
I just finished a little book. It will be available in about 45 days. I think you and Simon would enjoy it. How about that for a prize??? (I hope you don't have a problem with delayed gratification issues--I realize 45 days + shipping is an eternity in the blogoshere).
Again, Marie: I appreciate what you and Simon are doing here. Thanks for practicing what you preach!
JimR's last blog post..The Music of the Spheres
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Submitted by JimR (not verified) on 14 July, 2008 - 14:41.I remember when we celebrated world youth day with the Pope here in the Phil. That was back in 95 or 96. Wow! It has been more than a decade. I get to meet a lot of cool folks from different places of the world. Really a great event.
When it comes to networking, I guess people network because it is in our nature. Like the science books says, we are a social species. It is in our good nature to interact and mingle with each other. Maybe some people tend to do it more actively because of a goal or a need to accomplish something. I have a lot of friends who social network online just for the fun of it.
I network online and offline for different purposes. Sometimes I do it for my business and sometimes for fun. Sometimes while doing it just for fun also works great for my business, so it's a little bit of both. You get to meet nice people which will benefit your business.
Congratulations on winning JimR's contest! Tell me about the book after you read it. :D
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Submitted by Louie on 14 July, 2008 - 15:19.Hi, just a note to let you know that you have been awarded the Sweet Home Blogger Award. To view the list and for more information if you would like to award other bloggers with the award please go to my blog :
http:/themommyandmeboutique.blogspot.com
Thanks.
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Submitted by mommyandmeboutique (not verified) on 15 July, 2008 - 13:27.I don't think I've ever heard of the World Youth Day. Who knew there was such controversy for a day that was supposed for good?
As for the networking, those are four important points to hit. Why I network? Sometimes, to get ahead in life, as in career-wise. Other times, it's just to create a nice group of friends. With whom do I network? Anybody, really. It's amazing the people you can find in the places you expect to find them. On where? Well, you said it best:
If you want to promote your website/blog or just who you are, I've found that visiting regularly sites of interest and leaving quality and constructive comments or participating in the forums can help get you noticed.
As for the list of friends, it's relatively small, but thinking about it, I think I have a few more I need to add onto the blogroll.
And now with the new partnership between EC and Sezwho, I can keep track of where my comments are left a lot better. This way, I remember where to return to find other comments or just to see if the author replied.
Maria's last blog post..Bad People?
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Submitted by Maria (not verified) on 16 July, 2008 - 05:04.@JimR - I really didn't expect to win a book! I commented because the topic you posted interested me. Thanks also for your support Jim and I hope your site will bring you many new readers :)
@Louie - You're right Louie, networking can be for personal or business reasons. We do need to socialize and network as it is one way we can learn and grow. At an early age we go through the process of socialization and as we grow older we continue to interact with each other.
In terms of World Youth Day, they are really getting into the swing of things now. Tomorrow (Thursday) there is the first papal mass for all the youths, they can only allow 150,000 people into this venue. The closing papal mass is on Sunday and they are expecting between 350,000 - 600,000 people in this one venue...so Sydney is very busy and crowded right now!
@mommyandmeboutique - Thank you for awarding us with the Sweet Home Blogger Award, that is very sweet and generous of you. We really appreciate your kind thoughts :)
@Maria - It is amazing the sort of people that you end up meeting and some can touch your life in a positive way.
I've discovered (and it may not work for everyone), but I prefer a smaller list of genuine friends than a long list of people who are just mere acquaintances to be far more satisfying and better for my own personal development.
Thanks for sharing with us your networking tips and reasons, I'm sure a lot of us can relate to it.
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Submitted by Marie on 16 July, 2008 - 12:58.Wish I could be there in Sydney too to witness or to see the Pope in real. Are you living in Australia too? I'm in Melbourne
JOYOZ's last blog post..New Wonder, Lebanon Caves
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Submitted by JOYOZ (not verified) on 16 July, 2008 - 22:40.I must agree networking with people around you could bring you miracles when you least expect it. You'll be amazed how small the world is.
Marc's last blog post..Party for the Lonely
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Submitted by Marc (not verified) on 17 July, 2008 - 19:26.I think I heard of Youth Day before. If there's free food, it will definitely draw a crowd! Man... there should be one in New York!
MarketingDeviant's last blog post..Win your Employees by Being Humane
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Submitted by MarketingDeviant (not verified) on 17 July, 2008 - 22:26.Thanks for sharing this information. Is this World Youth Day just for the christian and catholic or it's for all religion?
Adieska's last blog post..Mempromosikan Publikasi Gratis Bisa Dapet Dollar?
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Submitted by Adieska (not verified) on 18 July, 2008 - 12:13.@JOYOZ - Yes, we are in Sydney. Today WYD just finished and there were over half a million people at the last papal mass, which was very touching. However, we have had a lot of road closures but everything seems to be going smoothly.
@Marc - I agree Marc, through the net the world has become a smaller place.
@MarketingDeviant - LOL...the next WYD has just been announced and will be hosted in Spain in the next 3 years, so it may be a little while before it gets to NYC.
@Adieska - WYD helps to unite young catholic pilgrims from around the world together in one place, to celebrate their faith and to meet with other young people. However, this time around the pope has also encouraged people of all faith to come together as one so we may live together in peace and harmony.
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Submitted by Marie on 20 July, 2008 - 09:45.Post new comment