Following the tenth edition held in Antsirabe in 2022, the eleventh World Youth Days in Madagascar (JMJ Mada 11) will take place in the capital of Atsinanana. This major gathering of Catholic youth in Madagascar, initially scheduled for August 2026, was postponed by the Conference of Bishops of Madagascar following the climate disaster that severely affected Toamasina, the host city. The event will now be held in August 2027, with the theme drawn from the Gospel of John: "And you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning." John 15:27. One year before this major event, preparations are already well underway by the organizing entities, particularly the Vovonam-pirenena Katolikan'ny Tanora (VPKT). Information campaigns about the event have already begun, encouraging young people to register with their respective parishes and to join the various commissions involved in organizing the event.
The WYD, initiated in 1984 by Pope John Paul II—since beatified—first took place in 1986 in Rome. Intended for young people of the Catholic Church worldwide, they are held every two to four years at the international level. The next international celebration will take place in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. At the local level, hosting JMJ Mada allows young people in Madagascar to participate in this life experience without necessarily attending international editions, whose travel costs are not affordable for everyone.