Christian Foundation and Movement Relevancy
Communiqué: Executive Committee Meeting, 14-18 March 2018, Hong Kong
Last Updated (Tuesday, 10 April 2018 17:55)
The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) held its annual Executive Committee Meeting from 14-18 March 2018 in Hong Kong. This year, 149 delegates from 21 movements and the Organising Committee of Luang Prabang YMCA, Laos in the Asia-Pacific region attended the meeting. Special guests included former APAY Presidents Philip Kwok, Chim Hou Yan and Park Jai Chang; partners from YMCAs of Canada and USA. There were also representatives of Y’s Men International, including its International President Elect, Moon Sang-Bong and International Secretary General, Takao Nishimura, to have a Y’s-Y joint partnership meeting during the ECM.
The ECM is meeting at a very crucial time in the Asia Pacific. Despite seemingly significant economic developments that have taken place in many countries, poverty, conflicts, human rights abuses, and geopolitical tensions continue to remain as serious challenges for the people. The recently concluded Winter Olympics brought some rays of hope for peace in Northeast Asia. Beginning with a combined North-South Korean sports team, the sports diplomacy developed further into dialogues between officials from North and South Koreas. And now, we look forward with expectations and prayers that warmer peace will emerge from the meeting between North Korea and the USA. We believe it is critical time – a Kairos time – for us who wish a world governed by genuine peace to act for peace-building with a sense of urgency and APAY is called upon to respond proactively.
The Challenge 21 clearly states the two imperatives both on ‘peace-building’ and ‘conflict resolution’ as follows:
- Fostering dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and ideologies and recognising the cultural identities of people and promoting cultural renewal
- Seeking to be mediators and reconcilers in situations of conflict and working for meaningful participation and advancement of people for their own self-determination.
Within these contexts, the meeting started with one day of learning sessions to enhance the social relevance of the YMCAs.
Read more: Communiqué: Executive Committee Meeting, 14-18 March 2018, Hong Kong
The 35th Advanced Studies Program
The APAY Advanced Studies Program concluded here in Hong Kong on 28th of November with the graduation dinner hosted by the YMCA of Hong Kong. It was a memorable event for the participants of the 35th ASP batch as they were handed over the course completion certificates at the ceremony.
The ceremony commenced with the welcome address delivered by Ms. Sheila Chaung, Honorary Treasurer of the YMCA of Hong Kong. At the ceremony APAY General Secretary Mr. Nam Boo Won, APAY Treasurer Mr. Ronald Yam and the General Secretary of YMCA of Hong Kong Mr. Peter Ho also spoke on the occasion, encouraging the participants to be dedicated in accomplishing the mission of the YMCA based on the servant leadership teachings of Christ. The speakers also underscored the need of YMCA’s involvement in the socially relevant programs in order to meet the present day challenges.
The participants committed to dedicate themselves to work for the YMCA with the spirit of compassion through the expression of “Act of Commitment” in unison. Mr. Ming Shibin, General Secretary of Xiamen YMCA expressed his gratitude on behalf of the participants to APAY and particularly to Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and YMCA of Hong for hosting the welcome dinner and graduation dinner, respectively.
This year the ASP commenced on 3rd November with ten participants representing the YMCA movements of China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Myanmar and Sri Lanka from our region. We also had participants from the YMCAs of Brazil, South America and Haiti of the Caribbean.
The sessions of the Advanced Studies Program broadly focused on the contemporary mission of the YMCA, based on contextual theology, global socio-political & economic realities & issues and in search of answers how the YMCAs could address these issues with alternative responses. The other areas of studies were the Good Governance in the YMCA, Movement Strengthening & Organizational Review. Social Enterprises & Global Citizenship Education were found appropriate for the YMCAs to adopt in their own context as alternative responses in combating the demerits of globalization. The participants also studied the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their targets for 2030. They realized the need of the YMCAs to be more proactive in various development programs to attain the SDGs.
Dr. Kim Yong Bock from Korea conducted the sessions on Contextual Theology, Mr. Nam Boo Won was responsible for sessions on YMCA Mission and Good Governance in the YMCA, Mr. Max Ediger, Dr. Hope Antone, Mr. Beng Seng Chan and Mr. Duncan Chowdhury were responsible for conducting sessions on other remaining topics.
The total number of ASP alumni have now reached the magical number of 444 with the completion of 35th Batch this year. We expect that all the participants shall devote themselves for the betterment of their communities through implementing community oriented programs at their respective YMCAs.
YMCA OF INDONESIA BOARD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Last Updated (Thursday, 12 October 2017 18:21)
One of the initial action seen as necessary in revitalizing and strengthening the YMCA of Indonesia is the development and enhancement of the national board leadership, being the highest authority in pursuing and achieving the mission, goals and objectives of the association. This was considered during their National assembly and annual General meeting conducted in April. In a way, it was hoped that making the national board stronger will redound to the growth of the local YMCAs too through their effective governance. Their leadership will impact and influence the local YMCAs to be energized and stimulated as well. Thus, on September 16, a One-day Board training workshop was held in Wisma PGI Teuku Umar in Jakarta participated in by the board and the staff. The workshop basically intended to : 1) increase and deepen the understanding and consciousness of the board about the YMCA, its mission, vision and its basis of work; its structure and relationship; 2) the roles of the board as a governing body vis a vis the staff; 3) introduction on the Movement Strengthening, its 3 pillars - mission clarity, social relevance and institutional viability; 4) review of the 3-year strategic planning.
Basic Training for YMCA Secretaries held at YMCA Philippines
Last Updated (Thursday, 12 October 2017 18:21)
Six delegates from five different countries in Asia; Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia and Thailand, participated at the Basic Training for YMCA Secretaries held on September 1-21, 2017 at the YMCA of Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. This is for the first time APAY has organized this training with collaboration of the YMCA of Philippines.
The participants were: Alice Encinas, Administrative Assistant of YMCA of Manila, Philippines; Ma. Magda Gana, Programs Secretary of YMCA Makati, Philippines; Evie Candra, Volunteer of YMCA Salatiga, Indonesia; Chantouch Nou, Administrative Assistant of National YMCA of Cambodia; Phongnarin Suwanma, Program Staff of YMCA of Chiangmai, Thailand; and Mungktsog Davaadorj, National General Secretary of YMCA of Mongolia.
The delegates were warmly welcomed by the President of Makati YMCA, Dr. Reynaldo Echavez in a lunch hosted by the National President of the YMCA Philippines, Dr. Ramona Morales on the first day. The next day was Program Orientation and Life Sharing Session facilitated by the National General Secretary (NGS) of the YMCA Philippines, Mr. Pablito Tabucol. The participants were given a chance to share their life stories with the group which encouraged a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship among them.
The following two days focused on understanding the Christian faith, with speakers: Atty. Eduardo Pilapil, who talked about the “Contemporary Theological Perspective” and “History of Christianity”; and Bishop Tex Gabo, who discussed on the “Study of Ecumenism” and “Understanding Worship and Liturgy”, the participants were able to recollect on the importance of the “C” in the YMCA and its cultivation in and outside the movement.
In the next two days, the speaker, Professor Elmer Ferrer, talked about “Contextual Realities and Responses”. The main theme of his lecture is being mindful of a perspective which includes understanding of situation, having a clear vision and knowing how to realize it. He also talked about the “Regional and Global Perspective on YMCA Mission” where he shared the realities and challenges of globalization and how the YMCA is responding to it and how an individual should respond to it starting with a simple lifestyle.
YMCA History, Philosophy and Purpose were given emphasis by speaker NGS Pablito Tabucol on the sixth and seventh day. He started with the story of George Williams and Henry Dunant leading to the formulation of the Paris Basis of which he highlighted four main points: “unity among peoples of all faith”; “extension of God’s kingdom (reign)”; “becoming disciples of Christ in their faith and life” and “amongst young people”. He also shared the notable contributions of the YMCA throughout the world history and the development of the YMCA triangle, Mission statement expressed in the Challenge 21 and the World Alliance of YMCA’s (WAY) Strategic Plan and Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCA’s (APAY) Quadrennial Program Plan (2016-2019).
Read more: Basic Training for YMCA Secretaries held at YMCA Philippines
The 35th APAY Advanced Studies Program
Last Updated (Tuesday, 11 July 2017 14:38)
The 35th Advanced Studies Program of APAY will be held during 3 – 28 November 2017 at the YMCA Youth Village, Wu Kwai Sha, Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Initiated in the year 1982, this training is held each year, as an advanced training program for the senior professional secretaries of the YMCAs of our region. The candidates should be a university graduate and have at least 3 years work experience in the YMCA’s core administration, at policy making level.
The main objectives of this month-long training is to enhance YMCA professional secretaries’ ability to critically analyze ongoing social processes, based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and develop the YMCA professionals who are mission-responsive, socially relevant and effective institutional leaders.
We urge the YMCA national movements of our region to nominate suitable YMCA professionals for the program. Detailed information and registration form of this course has already been dispatched to the national movements.
Limited amount of subsidies are available only for deserving candidates for air travel and participation fee. The registration fee and the green fee are mandatory for all participants. Subsidy requests should be sent along with the applications forms.
Applications with required documents should reach APAY on or before 31 July 2017 and successful candidates shall be notified on or before 15 August 2017 by APAY.
If you have any queries or need any clarifications please feel free to contact Mr. Duncan Chowdhury, our Executive Secretary for Programs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for this purpose.
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