37th Advanced Studies Program Concludes Successfully

Print

Last Updated (Thursday, 19 December 2019 17:24)

It was the 37th batch of the Advanced Studies Program, which took place during 4- 29 November 2019 at Wu Kai Sha Youth Village, Hong Kong. YMCA professionals representing the YMCAs from Asia and beyond, from South America and Africa participated at the course who were 14 in number.

 

The participants were Ms. See Man-Yan Phoebe from Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Ms Ng Yuk Lin from Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Mr. Tam Tsz Wing Irwin from YMCA of Hong Kong, Mr. Ashis THORAT from Bombay YMCA, India, Mr. Pravin Kumar Daniel Mckenzie, from Poona YMCA, India, Mr. Koshy Alexander Vaidyan, from the National Council of YMCAs of India, Mr. Kazuki Yamane from National Council of YMCAs of Japan, Ms. Shin Kyung-suk from Jeongeup YMCA, South Korea, Mr. Baek Kyoung-rok from Daegu YMCA of South Korea, Mr. Tsikiniaina Andriherindrainy from the National Council of YMCAs of Madagascar, Ms. Claudia Maria Sandra Portocarrero Blaha from YMCA of Peru, Mr. Jegan Jeevaraj Jeevarednam from Batticaloa YMCA, Sri Lanka, Ms. Lin Hui-Chuan from Tainan YMCA, Taiwan and Ms. Jeannie Chen from Taichung YMCA, Taiwan.

 

 

Each participant expressed their keen interest in the subjects that had been dealt with during the program. The primary subjects of the course were YMCA Mission, Contextual Theology, Social Analysis, Biblical Reflection Approaches, Movement Strengthening and Global Alternative Tourism Network. The participants were also made acquainted with the topics of Peace Building, Conflict Resolution, Gender Mainstreaming, Global Citizenship Education, Social and Solidarity Economy, Organizational Review, Strategic Planning and Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Chang Yoon-Jae, Mr. Orson Sargado, Dr. Hope Antone, Mr. Nam Boo Won, Mr. Chan Beng Seng, Ms. Cristina Miranda and Mr. Duncan Chowdhury conducted the sessions for the Advanced Studies Program this year.

 

The Inauguration Dinner for the participants was held on the evening of 4th November hosted by the YMCA of Hong Kong. Ms. Julia Ong, Vice President of the YMCA of Hong Kong welcomed all the guests at the ceremony. Mr. William Fu, President of the Council of YMCAs of Hong Kong delivered words of felicitations while Mr. Peter Ho, General Secretary of the YMCA of Hong Kong delivered words of inspiration for the participants. Mr. Yau Chung Wan, President of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong was also present at the ceremony and spoke words of inspiration for the participants. Mr. Nam Boo Won, General Secretary of APAY in his speech urged the participants to innovate programs of the YMCA which genuinely reflects the mission of the YMCA and respond to the needs of the communities.

 

The Graduation Dinner of the 37th Advanced Studies Program was held on 29th of November hosted by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong. Mr. Philip Poon, Member of the Board of Directors of Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and Vice President of APAY, delivered the welcome address.

Mr. Ronald Yam, Treasurer of the World Alliance of YMCA and Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and former Treasurer of APAY, spoke on the occasion, congratulating the graduates and spoke motivational words for the graduates. Mr. Karl Lau, General Secretary of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong was also present at the ceremony. Mr. Nam Boo Won especially mentioned Mr. Duncan Chowdhury, Executive Secretary of APAY and thanked him for successfully organizing the Advanced Studies Program for the last eight batches since 2012.

 

The graduates pledged their commitment to the YMCA and were awarded with the course completion certificates. It was an unforgettable moment to have Mr. Grantham Fernando at the graduation ceremony as a special guest who had been a YMCA Secretary of Sri Lanka and was an alumnus of the YMCA Institute in Hong Kong graduated in the year 1974.

 

Though this year the political unrest has limited the participants’ mobility in Hong Kong to some extent, still we are thankful to the Almighty that the course could be completed successfully without any hindrances and all the participants have now reached their home countries safely. APAY’s Special thanks go to the Asia Pacific Area as well as Korea Area of Y’s Men International for their generous and continuous support for this important leadership formation program of APAY in the spirit of genuine partnership. With the completion of the 37th ASP, the total number of alumni of Advanced Studies Program has now reached 472 since the beginning of this program in 1982, a majority of them are still serving their respective YMCAs with the renewed zeal and commitment they made at the ASP.

 

Duncan Chowdhury, Executive Secretary