The registrations are closed.
If anything is not clear while navigating this page, please read the FAQ and if you don’t find the answer, contact us.
What
International Youth Convention is a global annual event for the young people organized by the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement. This year, for the first time since 2009, hundreds of young people will gather in Spain.
This will be a special event in many regards. Since Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, it is easily accessible to both european and american visitors. Because of the diverse backgrounds and countries that will be represented, we are confident that at this Youth Convention you will meet new people.
Apart from that, the topics we will be studying will be life-changing. We know that with God’s help we can all “Be Transformed” and we believe you will not leave the same person you were before.
Apart from that, the topics we will be studying will be life-changing. We know that with God’s help we can all “Be Transformed” and we believe you will not leave the same person you were before.
Topics
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The main theme is “Be transformed… by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). With our speakers we will explore the topic of complete transformation in the life of a christian and the concept of having a new mind, a new heart, new habits and new thoughts. In the words of the apostle, we will understand what it means to have the mind of Jesus.
The topic will be broken down into three main areas - spiritual transformation, practical life transformation and physical transformation. Our speakers from the General Conference are David Zic (Education Department Director), Adrian Finaru (Youth Department Director) and John Baer (Medical Missionary Department Director) and they will each speak about the topics of their expertise and experience. |
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When
The dates are from Monday, August 28, until Sunday, September 3. Registrations are open now, with the condition of attending at least from Tuesday, August 29. We will keep a waiting list for those coming on Wednesday or later.
We have limited capacity for accommodation, restaurant and the conference room so we invite all young people to register as early as possible.
We have limited capacity for accommodation, restaurant and the conference room so we invite all young people to register as early as possible.
Where
Location is a christian retreat center in Ciudad Real, a historic city in the region of La Mancha. It is a little over two hours driving from the capital of Spain, Madrid.
Those who will come using public transportation can take a train or a bus. Ciudad Real is connected with Madrid by super-fast AVE trains which only take 1 hour and the prices range between 30 and 50 euros. Buses take over 2 hours and the prices are around 15 euros. Whatever way you choose, we will organize pick up from the bus or train station in Ciudad Real to the retreat center.
If you need help in getting to or navigating around Spain, write to us.
If you need help in getting to or navigating around Spain, write to us.
Premises and the campus
The campus is a christian retreat center, a green oasis surrounded by a dry and arid region of Spain. The program will consist of morning seminars divided into groups, free-time activities during hot Spanish afternoons, sermons for everybody in late afternoons and musical programs in the evenings. While some parts of the program will be in an air conditioned auditorium, much of it will be in the open, on grassy meadows and under natural shades.
Accommodation
Most people will be in simple dormitories, ranging from 4 to 12 beds with common showers and bathrooms on each floor. We will have all-male and all-female floors with shared bathrooms and showers on each block.
The price of the accommodation is 39 euros per day (the most economical price considering the high season in Spain and the type of a campus). That price includes accommodation with bed sheets and 2 towels, 3 meals per day and an afternoon snack every day. Children aged 2 to 11 have a discounted price of 29 euros per day.
Alternatively, there is an option of using family accommodation which consists of a room with 4 beds, a private bathroom and a kitchen shared with the next bedroom. The price of family rooms is 55 euros per person per day.
Note that if you have a possibility to bring your own bed sheets and towels, you are entitled to a discount of 2 euros per day.
It is possible to camp, although there is no discount since the use of all facilities is included in the original price.
The price of the accommodation is 39 euros per day (the most economical price considering the high season in Spain and the type of a campus). That price includes accommodation with bed sheets and 2 towels, 3 meals per day and an afternoon snack every day. Children aged 2 to 11 have a discounted price of 29 euros per day.
Alternatively, there is an option of using family accommodation which consists of a room with 4 beds, a private bathroom and a kitchen shared with the next bedroom. The price of family rooms is 55 euros per person per day.
Note that if you have a possibility to bring your own bed sheets and towels, you are entitled to a discount of 2 euros per day.
It is possible to camp, although there is no discount since the use of all facilities is included in the original price.
Registrations
To attend the IYC 2023 you need to complete the following steps:
- Fill out the registration form, one for each individual person
- Within 24 hours, expect our response by email in which you will receive your reservation ID number and the total price per person.
- Within 15 days of getting our confirmation, you need to pay 30€ per person to confirm the reservation. That amount will be considered as a part of the total payment. We'll provide payment information by email after you register.
- At any time, but no later than August 15, pay the remaining amount. We need to make a payment to the retreat center before the start of the Convention in order to guarantee reserved meals and accommodation.
- We can not accept payments in cash or any payments during the convention. When arriving in the retreat center, you only need to bring your travel document (passport or ID) as all the payments will have been completed.
FAQ
Registrations
Q: I can only arrive for the weekend. Can I still register?
A: You can fill out a form which will put you on the ordered waiting list. If there are available places left by August, we will let you know by email. Due to limited capacity, only those coming at least on Tuesday can have a reserved spot. Imagine someone who wants to register for the entire seminar, but can’t get a place because another person coming on Friday is keeping their place empty. We firmly believe that the ones who will benefit the most from the IYC are those who will spend the entire week together.
If you have a special situation or special challenges, please, write to us.
Payments
Q: The total price is too expensive for me, but I want to attend. What can I do?
A: First of all, understand that we looked far and wide in Spain to find facilities with the most economical price having all the infrastructure we need. Second, please try to work with your local youth department director to see if they have any funding options available. We know of some fields which are assisting their young people by covering their traveling expenses. Let us know if we can help.
Q: I live in a country from which it’s not possible to make a bank transfer. What should I do?
A: Please, write to us and explain the problem. We understand that it’s not easy for all countries to make an international bank transfer and we want to hear from you after you submit your registration forms. We will work with your local youth department director to make sure we can find a way to do the payment.
Q: Can I pay the full amount right after registering?
A: Absolutely, in that case you don’t have to make multiple payments.
Q: What if I don’t pay the reservation on time?
A: We’ll first remind you by email. Your reservation spot will be kept as long as there are empty slots. But once we get over total capacity, we will have to cancel the reservations made without due reservation payments to allow new people to register.
Q: What if I pay 30€ for a reservation, but cannot attend the IYC?
A: This amount will not be returned, but will be used together with the Sabbath offerings for the conference. The entire sum will be paid to the church account of the SDARM in Spain.
Q: What if I pay the total amount before August 15 and then have some issues at the last moment and can’t attend the IYC?
A: Your payment will be refunded, except for the 30€ of reservation which will not be returned. We do ask you to please let us know as soon as you decide you can’t attend so we can give your place to someone who needs it.
Legal
Q: I need a visa. What should I do?
A: Write to us explaining the situation. Please, provide the contact of the secretary or the youth department leader. We will work with them to provide the justification needed for your travels
Q: I’m a minor, but I can travel alone. What do I need to bring?
A: You need to bring a signed confirmation from your parents or legal guardians that you’re allowed to travel alone and attend this conference.
Accommodation
Q: I’m coming with my husband/wife. Can we stay in the same room?
A: Generally this is not possible since the dormitories will be either all-male or all-female with shared bathrooms and showers on each block. An exception could be if you register for a family accommodation (higher price), but the condition would be to fill up the room with 4 people (e.g. sharing with your brothers or sisters).
Q: I’m a minor, but I can travel with my brother/sister/guardian. What should I do?
A: In that case, please only make sure to bring a confirmation from your parents stating that they support your travel to the IYC and letting us know which person is primarily responsible for you.
Program
Q: I don’t speak English or Spanish (but I understand this text as I’m using online translation tools 😀). How will I follow the program?
A: In the registration form, please let us know which language you speak by writing next to “Other”. The entire program will be in both English and Spanish, but for those who don’t use either, we will work with other registered people to ensure everyone gets a translation.
Q: I’m a musician, I play an instrument. How can I take part in the program?
A: Please, bring it along! We will have an evening musical program in the open air every night and a musical director will also lead the groups of those who are interested and equipped to prepare a special concert for the Sabbath.
Transport
Q: Can you arrange transportation from Madrid if we’re coming with a big group?
A: Generally no, because we will all be in Ciudad Real starting Monday. However, if you’re a big group and you need help in navigating Madrid and getting to the bus station from the airport, please, write to us and we will make sure to have someone lead you after you arrive.
Q: My flight to Madrid is in the week before the IYC. Who should I contact about Madrid?
A: You are most welcome to spend the Sabbath with us in one of our local churches. One is located in Avenida de Espinela 44 (Madrid) and the other in Calle Rumanía 5 (Alcalá de Henares). Please, write to us before that so we can give you more information before that.
Q: Will you organize accommodation in Madrid during the weekend prior to the Convention?
A: We are not able to guarantee accommodation in Madrid outside of the Youth Convention. However, if you need help or advice or you have a special situation, feel free to write to us by email.
Q: I can only arrive for the weekend. Can I still register?
A: You can fill out a form which will put you on the ordered waiting list. If there are available places left by August, we will let you know by email. Due to limited capacity, only those coming at least on Tuesday can have a reserved spot. Imagine someone who wants to register for the entire seminar, but can’t get a place because another person coming on Friday is keeping their place empty. We firmly believe that the ones who will benefit the most from the IYC are those who will spend the entire week together.
If you have a special situation or special challenges, please, write to us.
Payments
Q: The total price is too expensive for me, but I want to attend. What can I do?
A: First of all, understand that we looked far and wide in Spain to find facilities with the most economical price having all the infrastructure we need. Second, please try to work with your local youth department director to see if they have any funding options available. We know of some fields which are assisting their young people by covering their traveling expenses. Let us know if we can help.
Q: I live in a country from which it’s not possible to make a bank transfer. What should I do?
A: Please, write to us and explain the problem. We understand that it’s not easy for all countries to make an international bank transfer and we want to hear from you after you submit your registration forms. We will work with your local youth department director to make sure we can find a way to do the payment.
Q: Can I pay the full amount right after registering?
A: Absolutely, in that case you don’t have to make multiple payments.
Q: What if I don’t pay the reservation on time?
A: We’ll first remind you by email. Your reservation spot will be kept as long as there are empty slots. But once we get over total capacity, we will have to cancel the reservations made without due reservation payments to allow new people to register.
Q: What if I pay 30€ for a reservation, but cannot attend the IYC?
A: This amount will not be returned, but will be used together with the Sabbath offerings for the conference. The entire sum will be paid to the church account of the SDARM in Spain.
Q: What if I pay the total amount before August 15 and then have some issues at the last moment and can’t attend the IYC?
A: Your payment will be refunded, except for the 30€ of reservation which will not be returned. We do ask you to please let us know as soon as you decide you can’t attend so we can give your place to someone who needs it.
Legal
Q: I need a visa. What should I do?
A: Write to us explaining the situation. Please, provide the contact of the secretary or the youth department leader. We will work with them to provide the justification needed for your travels
Q: I’m a minor, but I can travel alone. What do I need to bring?
A: You need to bring a signed confirmation from your parents or legal guardians that you’re allowed to travel alone and attend this conference.
Accommodation
Q: I’m coming with my husband/wife. Can we stay in the same room?
A: Generally this is not possible since the dormitories will be either all-male or all-female with shared bathrooms and showers on each block. An exception could be if you register for a family accommodation (higher price), but the condition would be to fill up the room with 4 people (e.g. sharing with your brothers or sisters).
Q: I’m a minor, but I can travel with my brother/sister/guardian. What should I do?
A: In that case, please only make sure to bring a confirmation from your parents stating that they support your travel to the IYC and letting us know which person is primarily responsible for you.
Program
Q: I don’t speak English or Spanish (but I understand this text as I’m using online translation tools 😀). How will I follow the program?
A: In the registration form, please let us know which language you speak by writing next to “Other”. The entire program will be in both English and Spanish, but for those who don’t use either, we will work with other registered people to ensure everyone gets a translation.
Q: I’m a musician, I play an instrument. How can I take part in the program?
A: Please, bring it along! We will have an evening musical program in the open air every night and a musical director will also lead the groups of those who are interested and equipped to prepare a special concert for the Sabbath.
Transport
Q: Can you arrange transportation from Madrid if we’re coming with a big group?
A: Generally no, because we will all be in Ciudad Real starting Monday. However, if you’re a big group and you need help in navigating Madrid and getting to the bus station from the airport, please, write to us and we will make sure to have someone lead you after you arrive.
Q: My flight to Madrid is in the week before the IYC. Who should I contact about Madrid?
A: You are most welcome to spend the Sabbath with us in one of our local churches. One is located in Avenida de Espinela 44 (Madrid) and the other in Calle Rumanía 5 (Alcalá de Henares). Please, write to us before that so we can give you more information before that.
Q: Will you organize accommodation in Madrid during the weekend prior to the Convention?
A: We are not able to guarantee accommodation in Madrid outside of the Youth Convention. However, if you need help or advice or you have a special situation, feel free to write to us by email.
Contact
By email: iyc2023spain@gmail.com