APAY NGS' Conference, Yangon, Myanmar
Last Updated (Friday, 06 May 2016 18:12)
National General Secretaries’ Conference 2016
“Sharing a Common Vision, Building Sustainable Communities”
12-16 July 2016, Yangon, Myanmar.
(Arrival on 12 July and Departure on 16 July)
Introduction
The process of developing the Quadrennial Program Plan (QPP) of APAY had been initiated at the APAY Leaders Quadrennial Roundtable held in Chiangmai, Thailand, last December. We are thankful that our NGSs who had actively participated at the LQR and provided us with their invaluable inputs to develop the Quadrennial Program Plan of APAY. We are pleased to inform that the Quadrennial Program Plan had been finalized and adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of APAY held in March 2016.
Now in the initial stage of implementing the QPP, it has been felt that the National General Secretaries of Asia-Pacific should meet once again in order to get themselves acquainted with the final APAY Quadrennial Program Plan, orient themselves with the new program areas of APAY, discuss and explore how to co-work with APAY in implementing the QPP, as well as how these program areas could be effectively integrated and intersected in their national/local programs.
The theme of the conference has been chosen as “Sharing a Common Vision, Building Sustainable Communities”. The APAY strives to unite the movements of YMCAs in the Asia-Pacific, working towards materializing a common vision for building sustainable communities where just-peace prevails based on the teachings of Christ. A community where people do not live under the threat of violence, poverty, environmental devastation, natural and man-made disasters, pandemics and with respect for all irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender and ethnicity.
This conference would also be a place for sharing issues and challenges which the national movements are facing and look for avenues to overcome those. Considering these matters, APAY have decided to hold the National General Secretaries’ Conference during 12-16 July 2016 (inclusive of days of arrival and departure) at Yangon, Myanmar, with the following objectives:
- To discuss and familiarize with the Quadrennial Program Plan of APAY.
- To understand the local and national issues that the national movements are facing and explore possible solutions.
- To familiarize with the APAY Youth Empowerment Programs and explore active participation in the youth empowerment programs.
- To learn about the Social and Solidarity Economy and its implications in creating job opportunities for the youths in the YMCAs.
- To learn about governance issues in the YMCAs and how to uplift the standard of governance in the YMCAs
The Host YMCA
The National Council of YMCAs of Myanmar has kindly consented to host the NGS’ Conference this year in Yangon, Myanmar. The meetings will be held at the conference hall of the NCY Myanmar office in Yangon, the participating NGSs will be accommodated at Orchid Hotel located in the vicinity of the office of the NCY Myanmar where the conference shall take place. It is about 10 minute walk from the hotel to the office of the National Council of YMCAs of Myanmar.
Registration Fees & Participation Fees
In order to cover the cost of the conference a mandatory Registration Fee has been fixed at US$100 (including Green Fee) per person and a Participation Fee has been fixed at US$350 for single room occupancy and US$ 250 for twin sharing basis accommodation. These fee covers the cost of accommodation for four nights commencing from Tuesday 12 July afternoon concluding with the night of Friday 15 July. The fees also cover food from the welcome dinner on 12 July onwards till farewell dinner on 15 July and also the cost of field trip.
All participants are expected to arrive at Yangon by 1600 hours on Tuesday 12 July 2016, and should plan to depart after farewell dinner on Friday 15 July 2016 or morning of Saturday 16 July.
Airport Pick-ups and Drops
The host YMCA shall be responsible for receiving the participants from Yagon International Airport on 12 July and also dropping them to the airport on the 16 July. After arriving in Yangon airport, after the customs please look out for the people with YMCA signs in the arrival hall. They will arrange for your travel to the hotel from the airport.
In case you have to travel on your own to the hotel from the airport, in that case you can take a taxi from the airport. Do bargain the price with the taxi driver beforehand, it should be around 10,000 to 12,000 Kyats. (1 US$ = 1,200 Kyats approximately) and take about 30 minutes to travel.
Visas
Most of the countries require visa to enter Myanmar. We recommend you to apply for a tourist visa, which could be easier to obtain. Myanmar Government is now providing e-visa, which can be obtained within 3 days after applying online and paying the visa fee online. However, if you need an official letter of invitation please let us know, we shall forward you the letter, from the NCY Myanmar.
Subsidies
Limited amount of subsidies are available for participants representing emerging YMCAs and YMCAs with financial constraints. These may include full or partial air fare and full or partial participation fee. Registration Fee is mandatory for all. Subsidy request must be sent to the General Secretary of APAY within 31 May 2016.
Exposure
A half day exposure in the afternoon of Thursday 14 July shall be arranged for the participants for them to understand the social realities of Myanmar, the challenges they are facing in the country and also how the NGOs are responding to mitigate these problems. In addition visitation to places of historical interest is also on the anvil.
Devotions and Biblical Reflections
During the conference, each day shall start with morning devotion and bible reflections. We expect our NGS’ help us organize and lead the daily devotions. Resource persons shall be invited to share biblical reflections during the morning devotions.
Weather
The weather in Yangon during the month of July is warm and humid, the average temperature fluctuates from 24 to 29 degree Celsius. July experiences the highest amount of rain in the year which could rise up to 582mm during the month. It would be wise to bring an umbrella with you.
National Reports
During the Conference, a couple of sessions shall be dedicated for national sharing. All National General Secretaries are expected to prepare their respective national report with descriptions of their movement, the issues and challenges the YMCAs are facing including the YMCAs involvement in addressing the community needs in their respective country. We enclose herewith the format for sharing, the NGSs are expected to bring a written report according to format. This information shall be preserved at APAY and used in the APAY publications including the website.
Registration Deadline
The deadline for registration is on 31 May 2016. All registration forms be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax +852-23854692 on or before 31 May 2016.
Contact Persons
| Contact Person at APAY | Contact person of the host YMCA | Hotel Details: |
|
Mr. Duncan Chowdhury
|
Mr. Maung Maung Win |
Orchid Hotel |
|
|
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
0730 hours |
Arrival |
B R E A K F A S T |
Departure |
||
|
0845 hours |
D E V O T I O N |
||||
|
0930 hours |
Session 1: |
Session 4: |
Session 6 |
||
|
1045 hours |
B R E A K |
||||
|
1100 hours |
Session 2: |
Session 5: |
Session 7 |
||
|
1230 hours |
L U N C H |
||||
|
1400 hours |
Session 3: |
|
Session 8 |
||
|
1530 hours |
Break |
Break |
|||
|
1600 hours |
Session 3: |
National Reports & |
|||
|
1730 hours |
Free Time |
||||
|
1830 hours |
Welcome |
Dinner |
Farewell Dinner |
||