How can a young person’s passion become a force for hope? Put your Hope into Action.
This week, thousands of young Seventh-day Adventists from across Europe will get together in Valencia, Spain, for the Adventist Youth Congress 2026 (AYC). Under the theme “Made for More”, the Congress will encourage young people to discover the unique purpose God has for their lives.
Around the world, humanitarian challenges continue to grow. Poverty, conflict, climate change, displacement and inequality are affecting millions of people. All these challenges also create an opportunity for someone to make a difference.
That is why ADRA is looking forward to be present at AYC 2026: To contribute that young people can discover how their faith, talents and future professions can become instruments of hope and tangible positive change in this world.
Experience at the booth
Throughout the Congress, visitors to the ADRA booth will be invited to explore three questions:
How can I speak up for justice?
Young people will have the opportunity to record a short advocacy message about an injustice they believe can no longer be ignored. Whether speaking about poverty, human trafficking, discrimination, loneliness or environmental justice, the activity encourages them to find their own voice and recognise that change often begins when someone decides to speak.
Follow @ADRAEurope #AYC26 #ADRA #MadeForMore and watch out for the videos created on instagram and tiktok.
How can I use my gifts to serve others?
Humanitarian work needs far more than emergency responders. ADRA relies on people with professional backgrounds in education, healthcare, communications, engineering, finance, technology, project management, logistics, advocacy, fundraising and many other professions.
The booth will introduce visitors to different ways of serving, through volunteering, future careers, or study opportunities at Adventist universities, and invite them to reflect on how their own skills could one day contribute to building stronger communities.
Who is ADRA?
Visitors will also be able to experience ADRA’s work through interactive activities, videos covering the “Day in the Life” of colleauges, virtual reality, films, quizzes and stories from around the world. Together, these experiences offer a glimpse into the lives of communities recovering from disasters, overcoming poverty and building hope for the future.
Two Workshops
During the congress, Joao Martins, Executive Director of ADRA Europe and Gabriel Villarreal, Humanitarian Aid coordinator, will be facilitating workshops around how young people can make a difference and about Disaster Ready Churches.
Faith Becomes Action
In our daily work, humanitarian work is much more than responding to emergencies. It is about living out the values of Justice. Compassion. Love. and helping communities build healthier, safer and more hopeful futures.
The Congress theme, Made for More, reminds us, that each one of us been created with unique gifts. Those gifts can take many forms: a teacher inspiring children, a software developer creating digital solutions, a nurse caring for patients, an accountant ensuring accountability, a photographer giving a voice to forgotten communities, or a volunteer offering time and encouragement.
Every profession can become an opportunity to serve.
We hope, that the interaction at our booth and in the workshops that ADRA will be facilitating this week, encourage a generation that sees faith not only as something to believe, but something to live.
We look forward to welcoming thousands of young people to our booth in Valencia and to discovering together how each of us can contribute to a more just, compassionate and hopeful world.