5th Youth Assembly Statement

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Last Updated (Monday, 15 January 2024 08:55)

View YA statement as pdf file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XlEnBSVOOuIhxDi06I1WnFn1MUWA-m73/view?usp=drive_link

View YA teaser: https://youtu.be/UwKKGBQKIZM


Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY)

5th Youth Assembly

September 13-15, 2023, Chennai India


Sustainable and Inclusive YMCA Community


We, the youth members of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) representing Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, reaffirm our dedication to the YMCA's mission of empowering young people and creating a sustainable future for the YMCA and the communities we serve.

Acknowledging our diverse cultural backgrounds and recognizing the common social challenges we face, such as mental health issues, economic stress, peer and family pressure, unemployment, limited educational and capacity-building opportunities, climate crisis, refugee concerns, food insecurity, justice and peace, and the need for youth leadership roles, we are committed to addressing these issues collectively.

We envision the YMCA as an environment that is safe, welcoming and engaging, a sanctuary where we can express ourselves without judgment, deepen our spirituality, reinforce our core values, explore our talents, share our knowledge, forge meaningful friendships, and strengthen our relationships.

We aspire to create spaces that encourages dialogue on social issues and provides platforms for personal, professional, and leadership development. We seek opportunities to foster solidarity among youth and to implement youth-led solution programs that address the identified social issues and concerns of our communities. YMCAs leadership must provide guidance, technical expertise, and financial support in the fulfilment of this vision.

It is imperative that we build a sustainable YMCA community that offers employment opportunities, social enterprise programs, and affordable trainings to enhance our personal capacities and prepare us for leadership responsibilities.

We recognize the importance of establishing efficient communication systems and ensuring access to information, enabling us to make informed decisions for the well-being of all.

We are committed to act and journey together as a resilient community.