Natalie Maxson, a 24-year-old self-described ?subversive Christian? and lay member of the United Church of Canada is to take over the youth desk of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva on Dec. 1.

?Something that I'd like to explore in the ecumenical context is exposure programs where young people learn from other people's contexts,? said Ms. Maxson of Victoria . ?One good example is the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel ,? which sends volunteers to the Middle East to support non-violent action to end the conflict, she said.

During her four-year stint in Geneva , she will ? among other activities ? help prepare a youth pre-conference to the WCC World Assembly, to take place in Brazil in 2006.