Pope Benedict XVI officially opened the registration process by becoming the first to register for World Youth Day (WYD), which will be celebrated August 16th – 21st, 2011 in Madrid. Young people who register for WYD are one of the pillars of the organization and financing of this event. According to statistics from past WYDs, participant contributions cover two thirds of the cost of each WYD. Madrid11 has set out to ensure that 40% of all participants register – compared to the 25% typical of previous WYD celebrations. Participation in the central acts of WYD 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.

Solidarity is another important component of the WYD registration process. Upon registering, each participant is given the option add a contribution of 10? or more to the Solidarity Fund. This Fund has been set up to facilitate the participation of young people from countries with economic difficulties and to ensure that people from all parts of the world have the opportunity to participate.

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 Center 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 announced their plans to register: 120,000 Italians; 70,000 French; 50,000 Poles and 25,000 Americans, according to information provided by local organizations. If these estimates are confirmed, a record number of participants are expected in 2011 – a testament to the great artistic and cultural value Madrid brings to WYD.

WYD offers four possible types of registration: Individuals, Groups, Authorities, and Journalists. Participants can then choose a package for the entire week or just the weekend, and whether or not they would like accommodation and meals to be provided by WYD. Countries have also been divided into three categories, according to their economic resources.

The contributions range from 210?, which young people from developed countries will pay for the entire week of WYD including accommodation and meals, down to 30? which is the designated contribution for participants from less developed countries for just the weekend without accommodation or meals. Payments made before March 31, 2011 will receive a 5% discount.

As in previous WYDs, group registration will be the most common option. It is estimated that more than 125,000 groups, with an average of 15 to 20 people, will register. The largest groups are expected to exceed 1,000 people. Groups and individuals are expected to make up 80% of the total registrations for WYD.

All registration options include accident insurance, access to public transportation, a backpack (with a t-shirt, hat, Madrid guidebook, handbook of all WYD activities, and other useful items), free entrance to all WYD cultural activities, and priority access to all areas reserved for registered participants at central acts and ceremonies.