Archbishop's BBC New Year Message

Speaking in his annual BBC New Year message, the Archbishop of Canterbury reflects on the importance that Christianity bestows on young people and challenges us to actively support our local youth facilities and opportunities which, he argues, play a crucial part in a healthy society. 

In reflecting on the events of the summer which showed us "a face of our society we don't like to think about - angry, destructive, lawless", Dr Williams urges us to recognise that this destruction was the work of a minority and that most of the young people of their generation  "strongly shared the general feeling of dismay at this behaviour".

On a visit to Kids' Company in south London, Archbishop Rowan Williams talked with some of the young people, witnessing not only their energy in helping those less fortunate then themselves but also their determination to make something of their own lives - and how charities such as Kids's Company are helping them: 

"When you see the gifts they can offer, the energy that can be released when they feel safe and loved, you see what a tragedy we so often allow to happen.  Look at the work done by groups like the Children’s Society or by the astonishing network of Kids’ Company here in London, and you see what can be done to wake up that energy and let it flourish for everyone’s good"

Finally, the Archbishop urges us to recognise how our own actions can make a real difference to society:

"... being grown-up doesn’t mean forgetting about the young.  And a good New Year’s Resolution might be to think what you can do locally to support facilities for young people, to support opportunities for counselling and learning and enjoyment in a safe environment.  And above all, perhaps we should just be asking how we make friends with our younger fellow citizens – for the sake of our happiness as well as theirs."

Click here for a full transcript of the message.