UNDERSTANDING THE YMCA

The YMCA, Young Men's Christian Association, is a Voluntary, International, Christian, ecumenical movement that strives to reflect the cultural identity of the Nation in which it exists and serves.

First started in London by a group of young men, the YMCA concept spread rapidly to every continent of the world. Today, there are YMCAs in 128 countries and they are united under the World Alliance of YMCAs that has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. YMCAs have been established in twenty-seven countries and territories in Asia and Pacific under the umbrella of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, the office of which is located in Hong Kong.

The Beginnings

In 1844, George Williams, together with eleven of his friends formed the first YMCA in London, England. It is essential to understand the social situation that existed in England then. It was the period of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Multitudes of young people were moving to the cities from villages. These young people faced inhuman social and moral conditions. They were exploited, overworked and brutally treated. The YMCA at that time, tried to respond to the situation, initially by starting Prayer Meetings among the men in business houses. They also studied the Bible and encouraged one another. Later, more was done, as we read:

"Without relinquishing its great passion for religious activity within b usiness houses, it had changed its centre of orientation from young men in particular business houses to a concern for the religious, social and intellectual needs of young men generally."

The YMCA spread very rapidly in different cities and in other countries as well. By the year 1851, it had spread to France, Switzerland Germany, North America and Australia. The strong missionary zeal of its leaders was remarkable.

The ecumenical character of the early YMCA is also essential to note. The first YMCA in London was made up of members belonging to different denominations. The same is true of every other association that has been formed thereafter.

Mission of the YMCA

The Basis of the YMCA, commonly known as the Paris Basis was formulated at the First World Conference of YMCAs held in Paris in 1855. In 1973, at the 6 th World Council of YMCAs held in Kampala, Africa, the Kampala Principles , an interpretative statement of the Paris Basis, was adopted. Challenge 21 , an evolution of the Kampala Principles and that enunciates challenges in the Mission of the YMCA, was adopted by the 14 th World Council of YMCAs in 1998 in Frechen, Germany. In 1999, the 15 th General Assembly of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs held in Manila, Philippines, officially adopted the Asia YMCA Statement Mission formulated at the 1997 Mission Review held in Tozanso, Japan.

The Paris Basis

The Young Men's Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their doctrine and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom amongst young men.

Challenge 21

Affirming the Paris Basis adopted in 1855, as the ongoing foundation statement of the mission of the YMCA, at the threshold of the third millennium, we declare that the YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on and the genuine involvement of young people and that it seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life and creation.

Each member YMCA is therefore called to focus on certain challenges, which will be prioritised according to its own context. These challenges which are an evolution of the Kampala Principles adopted in 1973, include:

•  Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and striving for spiritual, intellectual and physical well being of individuals and wholeness of communities.

•  Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.

•  Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children.

•  Fostering dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and ideologies and recognising the cultural identities of people and promoting cultural renewal.

•  Committing to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people and oppressed racial, religious and ethnic minorities.

•  Seeking to be mediators and reconcilers in situations in situations of conflict and working for meaningful participation and advancement of people for their self-determination.

•  Defending God's creation against all that would destroy it and preserving and protecting the earth's resources for coming generations.

To face these challenges, the YMCA will develop patterns of co-operation at all levels that enable self-sustenance and self-determination.

YMCA Activities

Throughout the ages the YMCA has tried to reflect its philosophy through its activities and programmes.

It tried to respond to people's needs in a variety of ways. The YMCA was first started in Europe during the period of the Industrial Revolution. A great number of people, particularly the young, moved into the cities from the villages. The youth faced great hardships. They worked extra hours in the factories and were exploited in many ways. Struggling in a sub-human condition, many young people felt lost and depressed. They indulged in various vices and engaged in anti-social activities.

In the context of such a grave situation, the YMCA responded by offering to the young people specific programmes for their holistic development, in body, mind and spirit. For physical development, the YMCA started gymnasiums, and different types of sports and games. With a view to providing a healthy living environment, the YMCA started youth hostels. For mental development, schools and colleges were established and various educational programmes were organised. The YMCA also offered a variety of programmes like prayer meetings, religious studies, etc. for the spiritual growth of the young people.

The YMCA is an outstanding name in the world of sports. It was the YMCA that invented games like Basketball and Volleyball. The YMCA also pioneered in other fields. About 80 years ago, Mr. K.T. Paul, the first native National General Secretary of the Indian YMCA, coined the term "Rural Reconstruction" and implemented rural development programmes. These programmes later became a model for the Government and other Non-Governmental Organizations for rural development.

The symbol of the YMCA is an inverted triangle. It is an equilateral triangle, expressing the symmetrical development of the entire person - body, mind and spirit. Today, the triangle not only stands for the development of the individual person, but also for the development of entire communities.

Adapted from Seeking Abundant Life for All by Bart Shaha, August 2000.

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