Global Staff Team (GST) Meeting was Co-hosted by APAY and YMCA of Korea

Last Updated (Monday, 15 January 2024 08:58)

Global Staff Team (GST) Meeting

Global Staff Team (GST) members meet regularly to share the current status of YMCA movement of each region and to collaboratively develop the global strategy, positioning, and visibility. The GST consists of seven professional leadership: Secretary General of the World YMCA, the General Secretaries of the Area Alliances (Africa, Asia and Pacific, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean), and representatives of YUSA and YMCA Canada.

This year, the GST meeting was held on October 3-7 in Seoul and Jeju Island, South Korea, co-hosted by Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) and NCY-Korea. Seven YMCA leaders discussed the important agendas such as the Areas Update and Vision 2030 implementation, also had various meaningful side events such as the press conference for peace on Korean Peninsula, visit to Demilitarized zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea, meeting with Jeju Governor, and visit to the site of APAY Jeju office and soon-to-be YMCA Global Peace & Ecology Center.

Press Conference for Peace on the Korean Peninsula

The press conference with the title ‘World YMCA Leaders solidify with Korean civil society to Protect Peace on the Korean Peninsula’ was held on October 4 in Seoul, South Korea. The statement was released by GST members to call for i) end-of-war declaration on the Korean Peninsula, ii) conclusion of a peace agreement, iii) denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, and iv) establishment of the World YMCA Pyongyang* Liaison Office. The statement also mentioned that the peace movement on the Korean Peninsula can play a key role in establishing peace in East Asia and the world. (*Pyongyang is the capital city of North Korea.)

The matter of the World YMCA Pyongyang liaison office was adopted in the resolution at the 2018 Chiang Mai YMCA World Council and again at the 2022 Aarhus Denmark World Council. Carlos Sanvee, Secretary General of World YMCA said “The core content of the resolution is to establish a World YMCA liaison office in Pyongyang. I look forward for North Korea to open the door for the necessary dialogue.” He also added “I am ready to visit Pyongyang at any time.” APAY also showed its support for the liaison office by establishing a Task Force for peace building on the Korean Peninsula in 2021 and by adopting a resolution for peace on Korean Peninsula at the 21st General Assembly in India this year.

The related statement and resolutions can be found by clicking each item below:

- Statement of the World YMCA leaders’ in solidarity for declaration of the end of Korean War and conclusion of peace treaty denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and establishment of the World YMCA Pyongyang Liaison Office

- Resolution at 2018 19th YMCA World Council

- Resolution at 2022 20th YMCA World Council

- Resolution at 2023 21st APAY General Assembly in solidarity with Korea YMCA in its efforts towards declaration of the end of Korean War and conclusion of peace treaty as well as re-start of the YMCAs in North Korea

Visit to Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

The South Korea and North Korea have been divided since 1945, even more with the Korean war in 1950, resulting in the creation of the border with the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) as a barrier. On October 3, the GST members had the opportunity to visit the Paju Unification Observatory in the DMZ area.

In front of the statue of the late Cho Man-sik, former General Secretary of Pyongyang YMCA

During their visit to the Observatory, looking towards North Korea in the far, GST members realized the tragic division of the Korea over 78 years and military tension between the two Koreas. In particular, the Manghyangdan deeply resonated with them, providing a strong sense of the heart-wrenching reality of families torn apart by the division. (*Manghyangdan is an offering set where individuals or groups perform a ritual in memory of the missing or separated family member due to the division.)

Afterwards, they visited the Hantan-river UNESCO Global Geopark in the neighboring cities of Pocheon and Yeoncheon, where the unique volcanic landform and conservation of the nature were impressive. Like Hantan-river, the river that flows from the North Korea to South Korea, there remains the hope for the unobstructed connection with the peace reconciliation and solidarity between the two Koreas.

Visit to the Site of APAY Jeju Office and YMCA Global Peace & Ecology Center

GST members visited the site of APAY Jeju office building and YMCA Global Peace & Ecology Center (GPEC). A nice walk along the future GPEC campsite and APAY Jeju office building left a deep impression to the GST members who agreed and supported the vision of the GPEC.

Thanks to the hard work with big financial contribution by the NCY-Korea, the construction of APAY Jeju office will be completed in the near future. With the advantage of Jeju’s 30-day visa-free entry option for nationals from many countries except for a few in the AP region, APAY Jeju office will provide a safe and stable platform for diverse gatherings, in particular, for the young people.

The GPEC is a grant project of the NCY-Korea along with APAY in cooperation with Y-USA and World YMCA, to provide an inspirational education/training platform for youths to learn from each other as well as discuss and imagine life, ecology, climate, and peace in solidarity. The various global exchange programs will take place at the GPEC which is designed to be “green” buildings that run with renewable energy, and the campground surrounded by untouched nature will be used fully by the youths for their learning, interacting and networking.

Meeting with Jeju Governor

Oh Young-hoon, Jeju Governor warmly welcomed the GST member’s visit to Jeju, ‘an Island of World Peace’ with the YMCA flag. The Governor emphasized to explore the collaboration opportunities between APAY and public institutes and support the projects that give dreams and hope to the next generation. Carlos Sanvee, Secretary General of World YMCA responded with gratitude for the support and cooperation, saying that APAY office and GPEC in Jeju will be a great steppingstone for the ‘Sustainable Planet’ pillar of Vision 2030.

Quality Time with the Members of NCY-Korea

GST members had a great time with the members of NCY-Korea to learn more about the history of Korea YMCAs/civil society and Korean cultures. This quality times with amazing Korean dishes were hosted by Kim Shin-Hyang, President of NCY-Korea and Yoon Jang-Hyun, former President of NCY-Korea. GST members expressed their sincere appreciation to the said hosts, NCY-Korea, and APAY for the warm hospitality.

~ By Yura Rhee, Secretary for Youth Empowerment and Admin, APAY &
Daeun Yang, International Secretary, NCY-Korea