With preparations for World Youth Day in Korea in 2027 in full swing, our next ACI webinar with French historian and sociologist, Charles Mercier, will focus on the significance of World Youth Day in a globalised Church.

For his doctoral thesis, Charles studied the history of World Youth Day and its development from its beginnings under Pope John Paul II during the early 1980s.

The findings from his research have been published in French in a book entitled “L’Eglise, les jeunes et la mondialisation” as well as in English in a series of academic and other articles.

Qwayne Guevara, facilitator for formation and young people at the National Centre for Evangelisation, who has just returned from the Second Preparatory Meeting for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, Korea, will respond to Charles’ presentation, as will Roshan Lobo, who currently serves as secretary-general of the International Young Christian Students (IYCS).

Our presenters

Charles Mercier

Charles Mercier is a Director of Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE, France), where he holds the Chair in “History and Sociology of Catholicism.” He is also an honorary member of the Institut Universitaire de France. He received his PhD in 2011 and his Habilitation to Supervise Research (HDR) in 2020, both from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

He is a member of the Groupe Sociétés, Religions, Laïcités (EPHE-PSL/CNRS). From February to June 2018, he was a visiting researcher at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal France Forum.

Taking the study of Catholicism as a starting point, his research sheds light on the political, social, and cultural transformations of the contemporary period.

Qwayne Guevara

Qwayne Guevara is the Facilitator for Formation and Young People at the National Centre for Evangelisation of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. She has worked in ministry and formation across greater Sydney for over a decade, following earlier roles in community organising, advocacy and corporate immigration law.

From 2017 to 2025, Qwayne served in the Diocese of Parramatta in roles, including Manager of Youth, accompanying local communities including parishes and schools, expanding grassroots leadership development for ministry, and coordinating pilgrimages to ACYF and WYD. In 2023 she was appointed the Lead Facilitator of the Diocese’s first Synod, engaging thousands in the process, which led to the development of the Diocese’s Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church 2024 to 2028.

Beyond her work in ministry, Qwayne founded the nonprofit The Hustle Society, a creative community space in Western Sydney, and is the cofounder of Embers Basketball, a ministry that supports and empowers women through sport and faith. She also coowned a local café between 2017 and 2023, mentoring young staff and building connection through service and hospitality.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts (International Studies), a Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution) and a Graduate Diploma in Theology. In 2025 she completed a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry at Boston College in the United States, grounding her leadership in both theological formation and practical mission.

Roshan Lobo

Roshan Melwyn Lobo is a lawyer, educator and international youth movement leader from India, currently based in Paris, France. He serves as the Secretary General of the International Young Catholic Students (IYCS–JECI), having been elected to the position at the 17th World Council in Amman, Jordan, in 2024. In this role, he works with National Movements, Regional Coordinations, Chaplains, young leaders and partners across the international Movement.

He holds degrees in Commerce, Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, and International Business. Before taking up his present international role, he practised law and was engaged in teaching, including serving as a Visiting Faculty member in law. His areas of interest include youth formation, education, law, leadership, Catholic Action and international cooperation, with a particular interest in the role of young people in building a more just and inclusive society. Through his work with IYCS–JECI, he is committed to strengthening youth participation and formation and to promoting the See, Judge, Act, Review of Life methodology as a way of connecting faith with the realities of everyday life.