Strengthening Spirituality, Solidarity, Sustainability
Last Updated (Thursday, 04 February 2010 00:33)
17th General Assemmbly Statement (5-10 September 2007, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Strengthening Spirituality, Solidarity, Sustainability
We, the 383 participants ~ youth, women and men from 20 countries ~ gathered as one to celebrate our calling to be God's Community from all over Asia and Pacific at our 17 th General Assembly from 5 – 10 September 2007 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
We came to reflect together on “ Strengthening Spirituality, Solidarity, Sustainability” , and to envision our continuing journey as people of faith with our historical mission responsibility to bring love, justice and peace, and life for all.
We walked a common journey of renewal, of rejuvenation to recapture the vision, nurtured by the waters to unity and responsiveness in solidarity with God's people.
Interaction and Dialogue with the Community
We journeyed to interact with God ' s Creation and the Community in their lives and their struggles. Our interactions and dialogue with the community provided us with inspiration and aspiration to act in solidarity with the poor, suffering, with the groaning earth and nature, to build a community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation. Together, we celebrated our oneness with humankind, with God's creation.
Witnessing to our Mission
We celebrated with joy the common witness of our lives, the life of the YMCA amongst our neighbours. Throughout its history, the YMCA has been the inspiration of young people. Their vision and commitment has awakened the faithful to the lives and challenges faced by all people.
In celebration, we looked back and reflected on the past. In celebration, we envisioned the future. To seek fresh ways to respond as witnesses in a troubled world, bringing comfort and hope for life for all.
Our Common Calling
Together as God's people, we are called to act for justice and peace.
We find new ways of proclaiming and doing the great (good) news of God's reign to all creation ~ bringing light to the lives of others.
We are called by God to respond to:
Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility which is a spiritual and moral disposition that guides individuals' understanding of themselves as members of communities - both on local and global levels - and their responsibility to their communities. This move towards building more responsible communities, transforming individual lives with a sense of universal equality and care for human beings and the earth in its entirety .
Peace with Justice
The YMCA Mission challenges us to respond to the vast socio-cultural, economic and political diversities that could lead to discrimination, human rights violations, violence and conflicts. It is crucial to have justice in-built within the process of peace-building and the eventual peace we hope to achieve.
Sustainability for life
People, nature, the earth, sustainability and our future are all interconnected. Our relationship with nature also reflects our relationship with God. Both natural and human resources need to be managed in such a way that they would not be diminished or depleted and thereby retard or prevent economic and social development.