YMCA Action on Ageing

Last Updated (Sunday, 07 February 2010 16:30)

Preface

The Ageing world is fast expanding. The increase in the number and percentage of older persons has raised number of social issues. Ageing today has gone beyond the realm of welfare concern to a developmental challenge. The change in population structure has huge implications on the global economy, society, social and development policy.The ageing process is part of God's plan for life, with the good news of Christ's redemption giving hope and purpose. As a faith based organization, concern for older persons in the YMCA is theologically grounded in the doctrine of Creation and the mission calling of the YMCA as agent of redemption and restoring abundant life for all. The Challenge 21 also urged us to seek to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. This encourages us to be an advocate for the elderly who is an integral part of the society. The skills, knowledge and experiences of the older people can’t be ignored or excluded. The APAY Forum on Ageing challenged the YMCAs to develop strategic actions that ensure positive utilization of the human resources of older population and ensure quality of life for the older persons. It also called the YMCAs to work towards the emergence of a society of all ages.

I hope and wish that this monogram would give some insights for the YMCAs who wish to initiate or strengthen actions on ageing at different levels.

 

Kohei Yamada
General Secretary