Rolland Williams Elected as President of the National Council of YMCAs of India

Last Updated (Tuesday, 21 August 2012 14:14)

The Triennial Convention of the National Council of YMCAs of India held on 8 – 10 June, 2012 in Visakhapatnam, AP, elected new leadership for the YMCAs of India for the period 2012-15. Mr. Rolland Williams (Visakhapatnam) has been elected as National President, Mr. V. E. Thomas (Mattakuzhy, Kerala) as National Treasurer and Mr. Vivek Aranha (Pune), Mr. P.C. Zoram Sangliana (Aizwal), Mr. Raja Daniel Stephen (Salem) as Vice Presidents Mr. Williams was the Vice President of the National Council of YMCAs of India. He also held different positions in the movement such as National Executive Member, Chairman of National Standing Committees and President of the Visakhapatnam YMCA.

The theme of the convention was Empowering Youth, Restoring Justice to the Marginalised. There were Youth delegates meeting, focus group discussion on Youth Empowerment for Eco – Justice, Economic Justice, Peace and Harmony and Global Citizenship. The convention adopted ‘Visakhapatnam Affirmation ‘the mandate for new Triennium 2012-15.

The call to action was for the youth in abandoning stereotype roles and embarking on a journey of self-realization where their individual life experience and latent talents and skills would be a determining factor in bringing about change around them – ‘to be the change that you wish to see around you.’ The youth were encouraged to realize their full human potential and in developing creative thinking to sort out local problems with local solutions while at the same time think in terms of becoming potent instruments as global citizens in a seamless world.

There were strong motivations in the debates and discussions centering on focus-group presentations for youth to come out of their comfort zones and take up the campaign for the struggling masses. The emancipation of the poor and the needy and the degradation of the environment and ecology would result from the enablement and empowerment of youth. In the light of this, the youth were mandated to assume responsible and visionary leadership in the coming Triennium by becoming torch-bearers of a tradition of service above self in which the communities’ dreams and aspirations take precedence over personal interests and gains so that society as a whole would reap the benefits. The Convention which was attended by about 1300 participants including 200 young people called upon the Indian YMCA movement to once again put the primacy on youth and provide opportunities for their leadership growth and involve them in critical decision-making as co-partners. The YMCAs will monitor the progressive integration of youth into the organization’s fabric. There is a strong realization of a dearth in emerging leaders and the YMCAs are expected to provide the necessary mentoring for the youth in becoming committed leaders with a visionary attitude to impart an inner dynamism and take the mission of the movement forward.

APAY congratulates the newly elected leadership of the National Council of YMCAs of India and do firmly believe that the YMCA Movement in India shall leap forward to serve the humanity under the dynamic leadership of the Committee.