4th APAY Youth Assembly: Sep 1-2, 2019

Last Updated (Friday, 11 October 2019 17:24)

Youth empowerment for a more sustainable grassroots response
4th APAY Youth Assembly
1-2 September, Japan

 

“Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.” - Challenge 21 Imperative

One hundred sixteen youth from 16 national movements who participated in the 4th Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs Youth Assembly (YA) held in Japan last September 1-2, 2019 strongly affirms that the commitment to Challenge 21 imperative of “empowering all, especially youth and women, remains to be the strength of the movement”. This strength sprang from the deeply rooted YMCA Christian character that respects diversity, embraces inclusivity and works toward human development. This identity is challenged to be more reflective of Jesus Christ’s examples by living the heart of YMCA’s mission for justice and peace, community development and social transformation.

Read more: 4th APAY Youth Assembly: Sep 1-2, 2019

Regional Green Ambassadors Training, Chiangmai, Thailand

Last Updated (Friday, 11 October 2019 13:35)

Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs & Sao Hin YMCA
Regional Green Ambassadors Training
Let’s Act on Climate Change
Restore our Nature & Promote Sustainable Livelihoods and Peace
November 18 -23, 2019

(Including Days of Arrival and Departure)

At the YMCA of Chiangmai, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

1. Introduction:

Consumption of energy and natural resources is growing steadily, driven by economic development and population growth. Current patterns of energy and natural resource use, agricultural practices, and urbanization appear to be largely unsustainable and require urgent remediation. Moreover, destruction of forests and the considerable burning of fossil fuels are directly causing the level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to rise.

The average global temperature on earth has increased by about 0.8° Celsius since 1880. By the end of this century, it will be several degrees higher, according to the latest climate research. Studies show that Asia is becoming a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and its ecosystems are under stress, with on-going, accelerating loss of biodiversity. This region is regularly identified as one of the regions that will be hardest hit by global warming. Since climate change is a global phenomenon that will require collaborative action by individuals, communities, governments, organizations and corporations to bring about meaningful change. We need urgent action at every level to combat climate change and its impacts.

The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and Sao Hin YMCA recognize that education has an important role to play in improving the global response to climate change. That means all sectors have to work in direct implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation especially to inspire others to work towards the necessary behavioral changes.

With our wide geographic reach, YMCAs have the ability to use this advantage to engage stakeholders in government, academic, media, business, and communities to create a force multiplier. Thus, the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and Sao Hin YMCA, Chaing Mai, had cooperated to organize the YMCA Green Ambassadors Training Program since 2017.

The training expected that YMCAs of Asia and Pacific Region would be more sensitive towards the ecology, peace & living together within nature, responsive towards preservation of the environment, reduce their respective carbon emission, become Green and Low Carbon YMCA, and work towards climate justice with the concrete and innovative activities in ensuring quality and opportunity of climate change education in their respective YMCA.

To continue our mission for healthy and well protected environment supporting a sustainable living, the Regional Green Ambassadors Training on “Let’s Act on Climate Change: Restore our Nature & Promote Sustainable Livelihoods and Peace” will be organized during November 18 – 23, 2019, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The Training aims to have practical and incremental learning effects for all the participants by sharing good practices and providing a practical opportunity to better understand the concept and practice of climate change education.

The training programs will be focused on natural resource preservation, energy conservation and alternative energy promoting, the impacts of climate change and green consumption as well as promote cooperation of all sectors. The participants shall be expected to commit themselves or form a ‘Green Team’ to work for carbon emission reduction in their own YMCAs and community in order to organize continuing activities to reduce carbon emission and promote green society.

Read more: Regional Green Ambassadors Training, Chiangmai, Thailand

20th General Assembly

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

20th General Assembly of Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

Theme “Living Together Within Nature on a Path to Peace”

 

A new milestone has been installed in the history of Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs with the successful holding the 20th General Assembly at Tozanso, Japan during 2nd – 6th September 2019, where 377 participants from 22 countries including 130 youth participated.

 

The inauguration ceremony of the General Assembly took place in the morning of Tuesday 3rd of September 2019. The opening worship was led by Fr. Philip Thomas, President of Kuala Lumpur YMCA with the theme “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Children of God.” and Rev. Aika Taira from Okinawa shared his testimony during the worship. After the opening worship, the opening ceremony was initiated with an indigenous dance presentation from Indonesia.

 

The President of APAY Mr. Babu Markus Gomes inaugurated the Assembly. While Mr. Nam Boo Won, General Secretary, introduced the distinguished guests and resource persons and all the delegates at the opening ceremony. The Chair of the GA Planning Committee, Mr. Peter Malone, President of the National Council of YMCAs of Japan Mr. Mitsuo Oikawa and President of the World Alliance of YMCAs Ms. Patricia Pelton delivered words of greetings at the inauguration ceremony.

 

The keynote address was presented by Mr. Steven Leeper, former Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Japan. His keynote was based on the General Assembly theme “Living Together Within Nature on a Path to Peace”. He inspired the delegates to lead a low carbon life style and work towards a nuclear free world base on culture of peace. Later the delegates broke in small groups to discuss for internalizing, and sharing their thoughts on, the keynote address.

 

Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs Mr. Carlos Sanvee had the floor to share on the New Strategy of the World Alliance of YMCAs in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, the candidates of the APAY elections for various positions of the APAY board had the opportunity to share their aspirations with the delegates if they are elected.

 

In the evening after the welcome dinner, the welcome ceremony was held with words of felicitations from the dignitaries attending the Assembly. Secretary General of the WAY Mr. Carlos Sanvee conveyed his words of felicitations, AP Mr. Hiroyuki Tanaka, Y’s Men Asia & Pacific Area, AP Mr. Kim Sang-Chae, Y’s Men Korea Area, Ms. Chung, Hiu Fan (Fanny), Executive Committee Member of WSCF AP and Ms. Natalie Thomas, Y Care International also delivered words of greetings to all the delegates on behalf of their respective organizations. The welcome dinner was enlaced with a cultural soiree depicting the rich musical and cultural traditions of Japan.

 

On the second day, Wednesday 4th September, 2019 Prof. Chen Chin-Seng from Taiwan led the morning worship while Dr. Emma Leslie, Executive Director, Center for Peace & Conflict Studies, shared biblical reflections on the sub-theme: “Building Communities of Peace inclusive of People and the Earth” at the worship.

 

Following the worship, the six parallel thematic workshops were held. These were (i) Alternative Tourism And Social Enterprise (ii) Gender Justice (iii) Ecological Concerns And Climate Change (iv) Disaster Response Management (v) Good Governance In the YMCAs and (vi) Sustainable Development Goals. These six workshops were again held on the following day at the same time. So that each of the delegate was able to participate in two of such workshops, these workshops were presented by competent resource persons. The participants were able learn more about these issues and also share their own perspectives and experiences with other participants.

 

The exposures arranged by the host committee on Wednesday 4th September, 2019 provided opportunities for the participants to learn more about the historical heritage, Japanese art and culture, the environmental programs, traditions and customs of Japan as well as various program activities of the Japanese YMCAs. These exposures took place in and around the Gotemba City. The delegates had the choice to participate in one of the following seven exposure sites: (i) Fuji Sanpo (ii) Tour of Fuji Gotemba Distillery and Fujisan Eco Park, (iii) Mishima Skywalk and the Kakita River Park (iv) Tokyo YMCA Yamanana Lake Center (v) Yokohama YMCA Program for the Elderly People and (vi) Yokohama YMCA Childcare Program. All youths participated at a fixed exposure at Fujisan YMCA Global Eco Village of Yokohama YMCA.

 

On Thursday 5th September 2019 the morning workshop was led by Ms. Magda Gana & Mr. Paul Chow. Dr. Bart Shaha, Former WAY Secretary General & GS of APAY delivered the biblical reflections on the theme “Ecological Crisis and Climate Change”.

 

Election of the APAY Board was held during the lunch time and the newly elected board members were: President Prof. Chen Chin-Seng from Taiwan, Vice Presidents: Ms. Hanna Dunlop from New Zealand (Pacific), Mr. Chin Chung Philip Poon from Hong Kong (East Asia), Mr. Honorio Tan from the Philippines (South East Asia) and Mr. Raymond Areng from Bangladesh (South Asia). Treasurer Mr. Shin Dae-Kyun from South Korea, and Board members: Ms. Nagako Okado from Japan and Ms. Panha Chhem from Cambodia. The Chair of the Election Committee Nirmal De Fonseka declared the results of the elections.

 

In the afternoon, four forums were held with the participation of the delegates who opted for their participation at any of the following forums. (i) The Strategic Directions (for the next Quadrennial) (ii) Y’s Men and YMCA Partnernship (iii) Christian Foundation of the YMCAs and (iv) Student YMCAs.

 

In the evening of that day, the farewell dinner and the APAY cultural night were held. Each of the participating movements had the opportunity to present one cultural event at the evening.

APAY awards were handed over to the recipients during this cultural night. The eleven local/national YMCAs who had hosted various YMCA events since the last Executive Committee Meetings were recognized with commemorative plaques. The highest contributors of Golden Anniversary Trust Fund were recognized with commemorative plaques. They were two individuals - Mr. Babu Markus Gomes and Dr. Philip Kwok, and five YMCAs - Hong Kong Council of YMCAs, National Council of YMCAs of India, National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka, Macau YMCA and YMCA of the USA. Mr. Hiroyuki Tanaka, AP of Asia Pacific Area and Mr. Cha Young Doo, IPAP of Korea Area were given appreciation awards for their contribution to Advanced Studies Program whereas both IPIP Mr. Moon Sang-Bong and Dr. Kim Sang-Chae, AP of Korea Area, were given special recognition for their contribution to Laos YMCA establishment fund.

 

The recipients of the APAY Green YMCA Award for the year 2018 were Makati YMCA of the Philippines, Suncheon YMCA and Yongin YMCA of South Korea. The local hosts of the General Assembly, the YMCA Youth Center, Tozanso and the National Council of YMCAs of Japan were also appreciated with commemorative plaques.

 

On Friday 6th of September, Mr. Yohei Wakabatshi, Honorable Mayor of Gotemba City was the guest of honor at the closing ceremony. In the beginning, he delivered his words of greetings to the delegates. The acceptance speech of the newly elected President of APAY was delivered by Prof. Chen Chin-Seng, followed by the symbolic handover of the mandate by the outgoing President Mr. Babu Markus Gomes to the newly elected President. The Assembly mandate was presented by the writing team and then the 20th General Assembly concluded with an induction ceremony of the newly elected board members conducted by the present past presidents of APAY, namely Dr. Philip Kwok, Mr. Chim Hou Yan, Rev Sam Stephens, Mr. Yau Chung Wan and Ms. Patricia Pelton, President of the World YMCA. Dr. Ahn Jae-Woong, former General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, delivered his sermon at the closing worship.

 

Earlier the Executive Committee Meeting and Council Meeting of APAY were held on Monday 2nd September prior to the General Assembly. The Annual Report of APAY was presented at the Executive Committee Meeting, while the Quadrennial Program Report was presented at the Council Meeting by Mr. Nam Boo Won, General Secretary of APAY. He presented the Quadrennial Program Evaluation Report at the Assembly as well. A Global Alternative Tourism Network (GATN) workshop was held during that time, and a special workshop of the Interfaith Cooperation Forum (ICF) was also organized on 4th and 5th September – for two full days – with some invitees from ICF alumni and selected YMCA youth as participants.

 

The APAY wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the 20th GA Planning Committee as well as Japan YMCA, in particular, the Host Committee of the GA for their dedication and contribution to the success of the GA!

 

The Assembly Mandate which reflects the outcome of the 20th General Assembly is as follows:

Read more: 20th General Assembly

Nov 4-29: 37th Advanced Studies Program

Last Updated (Wednesday, 10 July 2019 12:54)

July 09, 2019

 

The National General Secretaries and related Persons,
Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings from APAY, Hong Kong.

 

We are pleased to inform you that the 37th Advanced Studies Program will be held during 3 – 30 November 2019 (including date of arrival and departure), here in Hong Kong. The venue of the program shall be at the YMCA Youth Village, Wu Kwai Sha, Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Initiated in the year 1982, this is an advanced training program for the senior professional secretaries of the YMCAs of our region. The candidates should be a university graduate and have a least 3 years work experience in the YMCA’s core administration, at policy making level. The candidates should also undergo the Basic YMCA Training conducted at the national level before applying for this course.

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 you to nominate suitable YMCA professionals for the program. The candidates should read the program information carefully before applying for the course as well as comply with all the requirements as stated in the program information.

Limited amount of subsidies are available only for deserving candidates for air travel and participation fee, all participants need to pay the mandatory registration fee and green fee. Subsidy requests should be sent all with the applications forms.

Applications with required documents should reach APAY on or before 31 July 2019 and successful candidates shall be notified on or before 15 August 2019 by APAY.

If you have any queries or for details of this program please feel free to contact 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.

 

Thanking you

Sincerely yours,

 

Nam Boo Won
General Secretary

 

Read more: Nov 4-29: 37th Advanced Studies Program