Faculty and students of one of the world's largest non-formal training organizations meet to chart progress and plan for the future...

Colo Spgs, CO: MORE THAN 1,200 LEADERS, faculty and students of an unusual global training organization are gathering here for a major ten-day conference and celebration.

More than 100 countries are likely to be represented at the biannual workshop of the University of the Nations, at the Sheraton Hotel, Colorado Springs, September 2-11.

Part of Youth With A Mission, an international and interdenominational Christian movement, the University of the Nations has no central headquarters, yet offers 300 courses in 30 languages at over 200 locations around the world.

Students follow modular programs, intensive 12-week programs that focus on one area of study, and then have the opportunity to apply what they have learned through a wide range of hands-on practical placements. The U of N's seven colleges offer degrees in everything from health care and counseling to graphic design and journalism, with the Christian-based teaching intended to enable graduates to integrate high professional skills with deep personal faith.

Some 100,000 people have enrolled with the U of N since it was founded in 1974, making it one of the largest non-formal training institutions in the world. The biannual workshop brings staff and students together to hear progress reports and plan for the future.

Previous gatherings have been held in Switzerland, Korea, Brazil, Hungary and Sweden. Colorado Springs was chosen for first-ever North American venue because of the presence of so many other Christian missionary organizations. Workers from these groups and members of local churches are being invited to the public evening sessions which will feature international cultural celebrations, praise and worship, and keynote speakers.

Among those due to be addressing the evening meetings are YWAM and U of N founder Loren Cunningham, former TIME senior international correspondent David Aikman, and Luis Bush, director of the Colorado Springs-based AD 2000 & Beyond Movement.

"The workshop is an important opportunity for those involved with the U of N to meet together to celebrate what God has done and is doing, and through prayer and discussion to discern what he wants to do in the future," said Paul Filidis, director of YWAM's International Communications Network office, based in Colorado Springs since 1992.

Far-flung U of N staff and students unable to attend the event will be linked to the gathering for some of the sessions through the group's GENESIS-- Global Electronic Network Educating Serving and Inspiring Students--rogram.

Using live-link video conferencing, classes in more remote parts of the world are able to share faculty resources otherwise beyond their reach. Although the U of N's largest single campus is in Kona, Hawaii the university remains decentralized, with a commitment to international studies and cross-cultural understanding. Students have to complete courses on at least two Continents for their degrees.

posted: 1999 Aug 29, updated Sep 1

Return to: Main News Page