YMCA National Youth Assembly-2022

Last Updated (Wednesday, 29 June 2022 16:55)

The National Youth Assembly 2022, held at the beautiful Kumaon hills at YMCA Campsite Sattal, Uttarakhand, from 20th to 23rd May 2022, was hosted by the New Delhi YMCA under the aegis of The National Council of YMCAs of India. Ninety-Four young people from across the country participated. “Ignite, The Call to Commitment” was the theme for the assembly.

After a brief orientation by Mr. Koshy Alexander Vaidyan, Secretary, Youth Work, Mr. Noel Phillips, Associate General Secretary, New Delhi YMCA and Mr. Bhen Samson, Camp Director, the Assembly started with the affirmation of the Paris Basis by Ms. Mahima Agarwal. The opening prayer was said by Ms. Pooja Jaiswal. Mr. Mark Clive, General Secretary, New Delhi YMCA, welcomed delegates and guests for the Assembly, conducted after a long gap, and emphasized that YMCA Campsite Sattal is the ideal venue. President, New Delhi YMCA Mr. Felix Fernandes, addressed the august body and Inaugurated the Assembly, with a few Board Members in attendance. This was followed by honoring of the guests by Mr. Mark Medley on behalf of The National Council of YMCAs of India. Mr. Sundersingh, Secretary, Movement Strengthening, NCYI and Ms. Ann Maria Samuel, Chairperson Uni-Y India, brought greetings. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Noel Phillips and a closing prayer offered by Mr. Aryan Singh from YMCA Nagpur.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Mark Medley, Principal of St. Andrews Public School, Bhowali and Chairman of the YMCA Youth Centre, Bhimtal. Mr. Bhen Samson conducted ice-breaking session with group games. After dinner, delegates enjoyed an evening of Masihi Qawwali by Mr. Sunny Samson from Faridabad.

The second day began with physical exercises, led by Ms. Mahima from New YMCA Bedaghat. Morning devotion at the open chapel near the lake was led by Mr. Vineet Masih, Senior Secretary, New Delhi YMCA. The first session was taken by Mr. Sundersingh, Secretary, NCYI on “Know your YMCA” with a brief history of pioneering leaders of the YMCA, and how young people can be involved in the YMCA. This was followed by the second session by Mr. Noel Phillips on the subject “Leadership to Ignite”, where he explained who makes a leader and for what purpose one is ignited to lead. A day trip to the beautiful lake town of Nainital was undertaken. The day concluded with Campfire, featuring “Native Red Indians of the Omaha Tribe” performed by delegates, camp songs and entertainment by delegates. A night trek was led by Mr. Bhen Samson to get a feeling of the nocturnal world.

On Sunday, the day began with a short hiking trip to lakeside Chapel at Garur Tal. After breakfast, devotion was led by Mr. Hemant Agrawal, Asst. General Secretary, New Delhi YMCA. This was followed with a group discussion based on the theme of the Assembly. At the plenary, the recommendations of the Youth Assembly were brought before the house. In the Valedictory Function, delegates sharing their feelings and experience of the Assembly. Certificates were handed over to all the delegates. The groups presented a wooden symbol of the Y with their inscription, to Mr. Noel Phillips. Mr. Koshy Alexander Vaidyan proposed a vote of thanks and the Assembly ended with the National Anthem.

By: Bertram Devadas
National General Secretary