More than 600,000 registering for Madrid World Youth Day

More than 600,000 people have already said they are planning to register for World Youth Day 2011, which takes place in Madrid from August 16th - 21st, 2011.

Participation is free, but participant registration enables the WYD planning committee to better understand and address the pilgrims' needs. Accurately predicting attendance will also aid in the organization of cultural activities; particularly in arranging catechism classes in different languages and catering to the unique needs of participants with disabilities and medical conditions.

Upon registering, each participant is given the option to contribute 10 Euros to a Solidarity Fund which has been set up to support young people attending from countries with economic difficulties.

Registration for WYD is online - accessible 24 hours a day and from any part of the world. It is available in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish) and a Call Centre provides technical support in English and Spanish 24 hours a day.

The registration system was financed by Fundación Madrid Vivo, with support from various Spanish companies and institutions such as Fundación Marcelino and Santander Bank.

WYD Madrid plans to donate this system to the Vatican for use in future World Youth Days.

The system was developed by a team of more than 100 employees of ISBAN, an IT company in the Santander Group. Payment of WYD fees can be made on the registration website via bank transfer or with a credit card.

Currently, around 600,000 young people from other countries have already announced their plans to register: 120,000 Italians; 70,000 French; 50,000 Poles and 25,000 Americans.

For more information and to register see: en.madrid11.com/JMJ2011ING/REVISTA/cabecerasypies/PortadaHome.asp?vmenu=HOME

Source: WYD2010