GATN Basic Training in Luang Prabang

Last Updated (Friday, 10 November 2017 16:18)

The YMCA of Luang Prabang hosted the eighteen (18) participants from Chiang Mai YMCA, YMCA of Kuala Lumpur, and Taichung YMCA who joined the National Training Workshop led by Chan Beng Seng as Trainer / Resource Person.

This is a program of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) and the Global Alternative Tourism Network (GATN) held on 5-10 October 2017. It is an essential training platform for local YMCAs who are interested in developing, hosting and eventually sustaining their role as contributors in the alternative tourism industry. The training is devised by the APAY to deliver integrating parallels and strengthen local YMCA programmes while sustainably recapturing the income generation capacity and concentration of scaling community impact within the local YMCA.

The training started with a visit to two sample GATN sites- Ban Nayangtai which is known for its rare exquisite tapestries and cloth products made of silk cotton threads from rainforest cotton trees, and Ban Chan, a traditional tight-knit pottery village where participants learned not only about the process of making traditional pottery but also taking part in creation process itself, on traditional kick wheels.

During the training, participants were provided highly valued in-depth knowledge, best practices, case studies, productive arguments, beneficial statistics and expert opinions that were disseminated through both outdoor and indoor sessions. GATN Coordinator, Beng Seng introduced the participants on the new philosophies of Alternative and Responsible Tourism. In return, participants learned in full detail the root obligation of C.H.A.N.G.E (Community centered, Holistic approach, Advocating global citizenship, Nature and heritage conserving, Gender and child sensitive; and Economically viable) which thrives on accountability and stewardship.

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APAY 2nd Regional Conference on Climate Change

Last Updated (Friday, 10 November 2017 16:28)

The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, Global Alternative Tourism Network and the YMCA of Daegu, hosted the APAY 2nd Regional Conference on Climate Change on 15-20 October 2017 held in Daegu, South Korea. Sixteen (16) youth from different national movements in the Asia and Pacific participated in the said program as a conclusion of the E-learning on Climate Change held from April to October.

During the program, the participants learned more issues on Climate Change particularly on Paris Agreement, Gender and Climate Change, Food and Water Security, and Sustainable Development Goals and Tourism. They were also introduced to a new concept called Water Footprint to help them realize the importance of this scarce resource.

These lectures were delivered by people in the field who have been involved in their respective areas for many years already. This includes Dr. Park Suk Hyun, Dr. Kim Yang Hee, Mr. Chan Beng Seng, GATN Coordinator, Mr. Duncan Chowdhury, Executive Secretary of the APAY, and Ms. Patcharin Aviphan of Saohin YMCA.

Aside from the lectures, a practical lesson on the importance of the environment was prepared through the exposure. The participants visited the Espace Park where they saw how the Art Bike project of the Daegu YMCA is being implemented. They were also introduced to an environmental issue in Daegu due to the construction of the dam. In the end, it made the participants reflect on the importance of taking care of the rivers.

Finally, the participants presented their action plan which aims to implement what they have learned from the e-learning in their YMCA and in the community. This conference, serves as an avenue to discuss Climate Change issues with the hope that the APAY is empowering the youth to be climate sensitive and responsible individuals.

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.

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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).

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