Last Updated (Tuesday, 06 December 2022 13:42)
Communique
Preamble
We, the participants of the 39th Advanced Studies Course (ASC), were held virtually via zoom from the 3rd – 18th of November 2022, followed by the in-person training sessions from the 20th of November to the 5th of December at the YMCA International Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand the backdrop of a post-Covid-19 era. Eleven (11) participants from eight (8) countries and 10 different YMCAs across Asia joined the ASC this year with the theme “Leadership and Mission – Towards YMCA Vision 2030”.
The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to affect most countries in 2022. However, due to our deepened understanding of the virus, more drugs and vaccines have been developed, resulting in a gradual decline in the death rate and the reduction of fear surrounding the virus. From the second half of the year, more Asian countries opened their borders, and the interaction between people resumed gradually, which made the in-person ASC possible.
We express our deep gratitude to the contributing facilitators and resource personnel from across Asia and, most of all, the leadership and Executive of APAY for taking up the challenge to conduct this important program virtually and in person.
Collective Learning & Reflection
The 39th ASC was a great learning space for all of us with online and in-person experience. We revisited the Mission and Vision of YMCA and explored with much enthusiasm on Ecumenism & Ecumenical Movements; Movement Strengthening & Relevancy; Good Governance; Interfaith cooperation for justice and peace in a multi-religious context; Gender Justice; Climate Change; Vision 2030; Economy of Life; contextual theology; youth leadership alongside a host of other topics have been introduced and discussed within the group. Learning creative liturgies; celebrating and respecting the diversity of the religions was a new experience for all.
We were privileged to have the opportunity to visit three communities in Chiang Mai (MAP Foundation, The HUG Project, and Urban Light) and learn about their work and commitments to the community. The visit to the Sao Hin YMCA was a meaningful experience to witness their implementations as a response to the climate crisis. There were many learnings for all of us that could be implemented at our YMCAs.
Apart from the curriculum, we had many more learnings from colleagues of different YMCAs as we stayed together discussing, listening and sharing our experiences.
The Advanced Studies Course has provided a platform for us as participants from diverse YMCAs to explore and develop a comprehensive understanding of the common challenges facing the Asia Pacific Region while also being equipped to seek and implement solutions through the YMCA. All these gave us a great challenge on how we as a movement need to respond.
Affirmation
We affirm the Paris Basis that acknowledges the foundational truth that we are a global organization built on Christian values. We are deeply conscious that YMCA in Asia strives to liberate from the colonial legacy of YMCA in our regions and remain deeply conscious of the effort of many decades to contextualize what YMCA means to us in our diverse and unique circumstances. We are encouraged that over the decades, the Paris Basis has been revisited and interpreted, preserving its core values being revitalized with relevance to current realities; and welcoming the chance for rejuvenation through Vision-2030. We accept that both Challenge 21 and Vision 2030 have a unique role in advancing YMCA ethos in our region.
We,
Conclusion
We thank God Almighty, by whose grace we were enabled to attend and complete the Advance Studies Course successfully. We return refreshed and enlightened on our roles in our YMCAs, where we will work to bring greater service to the community. We are made aware of social injustice and have better understood our call to alleviate that justice in a way that is both sustainable and in line with the greater ethos of our organization. We rejoice at the opportunity to share in fraternity and camaraderie with our colleagues across Asia. We have come to greater respect for the diversity in our language, customs, food habits, and YMCA's role in their respective regions. We also leave with a collective affirmation of the role we are to play upon our return and express our gratitude to the leadership and the Staff of the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs who have endeavoured to give us this understanding. We are thankful to Chiang Mai YMCA, the staff and all who made our stay during the course pleasant. We firmly believe that the ASC will be a force of positive change in our local YMCAs.
↑ The Participants of the 39th Advanced Studies Course |
Anandakumar Antony Muthu | Secretary | YMCA Madras |
Christina Miranda | Executive Secretary | Philippines YMCA / Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs |
Eriko Yanagihara | Director of global and local community service | YMCA Yokohama |
Fabian D. K. Schokman | Acting National General Secretary | National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka |
Ivan Sunil Daniel | Secretary | YMCA Madras |
Kai-Hung Li | Coordinating Secretary | Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong |
Ka Man Siu | Principal Program Officer (sports and recreation) | YMCA of Hong Kong |
Lalantha Jayasinghe | General Secretary | YMCA Kandy |
Nimey Rin | Acting National General Secretary | National Council of the YMCAs of Cambodia |
Saimon Antony Sangma | General Secretary | YMCA Birisiri |
Invitee Participant Bolortuya Dondovsambun | President | YMCA Mongolia |
APAY Staff
Nam Boo-Won, General Secretary, Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
Sunita Suna, Executive Secretary for Programs, Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
Monalisa Lopes, Assistant, 39th Advanced Studies Course