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My heart still continues to race back to the time I had with the YMCA leadership of the Asia and Pacific region at our Bangkok Round Table. Simple, yet excellent arrangements were made to make our time most meaningful and worthwhile for which I am grateful. Even though it was the first ever gathering of that nature, I feel very positive over the participatory process that we followed and the outcomes thereof. I am so glad that we were able to look into the future and address the following four key issues, i.e:
We are now in a position to come out with some very strong and concrete plans - of course a lot more than just mere ideas that can be tabled at the next Executive Committee Meeting. This will enable us to move forward making some very positive and significant strides very quickly. Needless to say an enormous additional responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of the Secretariat. All us need to help them accomplish what we require of them. Voluntary teams have been formed and deadlines established. Now it is time to move on with our commitments. At the Asia and Pacific level I have redefined, in my own terms, the main thrust of Challenge 21 with the acronym COST :
It is my very humble, earnest and intense call to every individual YMCA leader to be willing to take up the challenge and pay the price. The recent news of hundreds of people affected by the floods in Bangladesh and eastern India breaks my heart. As a family we need to rally around the relief efforts of the YMCA in these places in expression of our Christian Concern, Solidarity and Partnership. There is an emergency appeal before us from the Bangladesh YMCA towards their relief work. May I take this opportunity to urge national movements to contribute their mite towards their relief programme.
The APAY has issued an emergency appeal to National Movements for solidarity support to the Bangladesh YMCA's Emergency Flood Relief Programme that will cost approx. US$47,00 to provide dry food rations to 5,000 families totaling 30,000 persons. The floods that started on 10 July have now inundated almost three-quarters of the country, causing widespread damage, disrupting communications and causing water-borne diseases. More than 27 million people have been estimated to be affected, thousands have been made homeless or lost their possessions, and over 400 have lost their lives ( as per report on 27 July). At the time of writing, we have received commitments from the National Council of YMCAs of Australia, Hong Kong Council of YMCAs, National Council of YMCAs of India, National Council of YMCAs of Japan, YMCAs of Korea, Kuala Lumpur YMCA, National Council of YMCAs of Myanmar, YMCAs of New Zealand, YMCAs of Singapore, National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka, YMCAs of Taiwan, and the YMCA of the USA. We thank these movements for their immediate response. It is requested that all contributions are to be made through the APAY Secretariat for remittance to the Bangladesh YMCA as per Government regulations that need to be adhered to. Please continue praying for the victims, affected families and all those who are working to alleviate the suffering and losses caused by the floods. Click here for Bangladesh Flood Appeal & Response Form
Forty-five leaders from 16 National Movements, including the Officers, Executive Staff of the Asia and Pacific Alliance, and an Executive Secretary of the World Alliance, attended the First APAY Leaders' Roundtable held in the Trang Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand from 1 - 4 July 2004. Just to refresh ourselves, this Roundtable of Presidents and Secretaries of the Alliance was called as a meeting for the key leadership of the movement to share, deliberate, and determine together:
The Roundtable reaffirmed the 16 th General Assembly's and the Youth Forum's call for new paradigms of partnerships as we seek to fulfil the contextual mission of the YMCA, and the focus areas of concern. These were clearly prioritised - youth participation and development, movement strengthening with emphasis on leadership development and with the foundation of mission/social relevancy. There was concern for greater gender responsiveness and integration as a positive move towards gender equity. The Roundtable process was participatory. It provided the space and time for movements to place their concerns and their initiatives on the table. Creative ideas flowed freely within the regional and thematic groups. We came away from the Roundtable with desired outputs. Participants were committed to act, to turn the words around the table into actions. The participatory model of Exposure, Reflection and Action (ERA) as proposed in the QPP Framework for participatory Bible Study was applied, not only in the Morning Devotions - a participatory spiritual journey together in reflecting on selected passages of scripture - but also in the total Roundtable process: • Exposures to the realities of Bangkok-Thailand (Slum Communities - Sueksanaree Community and Poonsub Community) and Patpong nightlife area; • Reflections on the Scriptures, on the realities discussed and experienced in the exposures (protection of children against sexual exploitation, commercial sex-workers, poverty in the slums) and realities in the national, sub-regional and regional contexts; and • Action planning on priorital issues, programmes and resource identification using strategic planning tools, including cognitive mapping exercises and priority scoring survey. In his Keynote Address Rev. Samuel D. Stephens, our President called on the leaders to remain faithful to the calling of the YMCA Mission , and to remember that we have: • A prophetic call to return to the Lord in Repentance . (Metanoia - turn around); • A call to a two-fold Restoration of relationships - both with God and community; and, • A clarion call for Renewal and Revival within the movement and to put aside the spirit of complacency that daunts it. He raised four main concerns for the Roundtable's consideration. (Please refer to No. 1 above, Our President Speaks...) In rounding up the process he laid before the participants "The Way Forward" - challenging each to action, to walk the talk. He stressed the need to seek new solutions to issues and realities of the day, reminding that we must continue to be people who: • Are greatly motivated by a Vision of the future. • Continue to be a people committed to a Mission. • Are willing and ready to leave our comfort zones and step into some uncertainties in Faith. • Are Creative in the way we do things. Informal sharing and networking were important aspects of the Roundtable, especially at the Welcome Dinner / Chao Phraya Cruise generously hosted by the Bangkok YMCA. Mealtimes in the Thai garden setting of the hotel were further opportunities for networking.
Following the Leaders' Roundtable, the National General Secretaries met for a further two days, from 4-6 July, for the Biennial NGSs Conference. The 2-day NGSs'Conference focused on the Global Strategic Direction of Movement Strengthening within our regional context. It discussed the Concept and Strategies for Building a Membership Constituency for the Mission of the YMCA and Leadership Development for Volunteers and Professional Secretaries. Recommendations by the Leaders' Roundtable on the direction, thrust and focus contents, and resource mobilisation of the Quadrennial Programme Plan were reviewed. Implementation strategies and steps, including resource mobilisation within the region were suggested. The National General Secretaries reaffirmed that they, in partnership with the National Councils, are the main links in the implementation of the QPP, translating the recommendations into grassroots actions Mr. Nam Boo Won, Senior Director, National Council of YMCAs of Korea and Mr. Duncan Chowdhury, National General Secretary of Bangladesh, were invited to discuss the concept of membership and how to build an active membership engaged in the movement's missional thrust. The situation of current membership constituencies or the lack of it was also discussed.
The National Movements of Australia, Japan, Korea and the Singapore Metropolitan YMCA responded positively to the move to create a support system for the implementation of action programmes on focus issues. The Leaders Quadrenial Roundtable endorsed the mechanism as a positive way forward in resource mobilisation and sharing within the region. At a meeting of the National Movements present at the Bangkok Roudtable, it was agreed that the YMCAs within the Korean movement and the Australian Movement would support this first bloc of seven action programmes. The APAY Secretariat will coordinate the partnership processes, including the processes of monitoring and evaluating the programmes together with the partners for this bloc of programmes. The Australian YMCA and the Metropolitan YMCA of Singapore also provided special support for *Vietnam YMCA's Youth Entrepreneurial Training Scheme and the **Environmental /Sustainable Youth Work Camp to be held in Manado, Indonesia, respectively.
**We still need support for the Environment Youth Work Camp - please contact the Secretariat if your movement would like to help make this effort by the Indonesian YMCA/Manado YMCA a successful model for future sustainable
More than 60 participants from the YMCAs in Indonesia will take part in the Youth Environmental Work Camp in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia from 7-14 August 2004. It is jointly organised by the Manado YMCA and the National Council of YMCAs of Indonesia to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of its founding in Indonesia. The environmental work camp will provide an opportunity for the youth to engage in reforestation work on the denuded hill slopes of Ratahan. They will learn about pollution of the seas and its impact on mangroves and marine life. The participants will also visit Bunakan Marine Park
Just concluded is the biennial 5 th International Youth Work Camp in Vietnam held on 17-28 July 2004 in Mo Cay District, Ben Tre' Province, Vietnam. Thirty-two young leaders from Australia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the Camp. They completed the work required for 2 classrooms built for 120 kindergarten and primary pupils in the Mo Cay District. The Work Camp was an opportunity for Vietnamese youth and the community to interact with youth from other Asian/Pacific countries, developing mutual understanding as they worked together to serve the community. APAY Executive Secretary Shella Quezada-Zagada facilitated a one-day Forum on issues and challenges faced by youth in the region. This year's Work Camp was co-ordinated by Song Jin Ho of the National Council of YMCAs of Korea.
In the May issues of Headlines, we had highlighted some of the networks that exist within our region. We stressed the importance of cooperation and exploring new forms of partnerships in strengthening and developing work in various concerns within our region given the increasingly common issues across countries in our region due to intensive globalisation. We encouraged movements involved to sustain and build these communities that strengthen the common specific work they are engaged in. The following are some network updates: • Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering (ASYG), 2004 The Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering (ASYG) is scheduled for 8-15 December 2004 in Chipayung, Indonesia. It will gather more than 100 young leaders from the five participating member organisation. We encourage National YMCA Movements to actively encourage their young leaders to participate in the ASYG 2004 and to strengthen the ecumenical movement at the grassroots level. Details of this ecumenical youth gathering have been sent to National Movements. The information is also on our Website www.asiapacificymca.org . • Young Leaders to Deliberate on Living their Faith in Community Twenty participants from 11 Asian countries will participate in the APAY-CCA Inter-religious Cooperation Programme (ICP) at the Henry Martyn Institute (HMI), Hyderabad, India. The theme of the Consultation from 5-11 September 2004, is "Living Our Faiths In Community - with Young People As Peacemakers and Culture Bearers". An equal number of participants from the four major religions will share personal experiences in peace-building initiatives, and work together to develop strategies and new skills for interfaith initiatives. This programme is a follow-up of the joint APAY-CCA-EED Inter-religious Cooperation Programme held in Prapat, Indonesia in 2003. APAY Executive Secretary, Lakshan Dias will the APAY staff person in the co-ordination team.
With the worldwide YMCA family focussing on movement strengthening, the Advanced Studies Programme that aims to strengthen the professional leadership to carry out the YMCA's social transformation role in today's context has become even more vital. The focus of this year's Studies is on "Movement Building for Transformation". This year's Studies are expected to have between 15-17 participants from 11 movements.
The Macau YMCA celebrated its 10 th Anniversary on 17 July 2004 with a Thanksgiving Worship and a Celebration Dinner. The events were graced by the Macau Government Officials, leaders of the Hong Kong Council of YMCAs, the YMCAs of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Quangdong and several Y's Men's Clubs of Hong Kong. The Macau YMCA has developed strong programmes for children and youth/students development. I brought greetings on behalf of the President and Officers, Executive Committee of the Alliance, during the evening function.
On 19 July 2004, we were honoured by the visit of the new Asia Y's Men leadership team of Ms. Hiromi Nagao (Osaka YMCA) the new Area President, Ms. Janet Siew (Metropolitan YMCA, Singapore), the new Area President Elect and the new Area Treasurer, Mr. Takao Nishimura (Tokyo YMCA). The Hong Kong District Y's Men hosted the Asia Area leaders to a fellowship dinner on 18 July. Their visit, following their turnover ceremony in Seoul, was to foster closer relationships and to strengthen the partnership between the Asia Area Y's Men and the APAY. Our discussions focussed on areas in which we could collaborate to serve and build community: youth development, programmes related to HIV-AIDS, the Asia Area Y's Men Signature Programme, support for staff training and special projects. Meanwhile, Y's Men International Convention will take place in Kochi, India from 12-15 August 2004. The new International President is Mr. John Choa of the Manila Downtown Y's Men Club, Philippines.
We express our heartiest Congratulations to Dr. Park Jai-Chang, Korea, one of our Vice Presidents, who was recently appointed as Co-chairperson with the Prime Minister, of the Presidential Commission on Government Devolution Affairs by HE President Roh Myung Hyun. The Commission comprises six government ministers.
We were saddened at the end of June by the passing away of the late Khun Vorakit Kantakalung, but his legacy lives on in the lives of the many common folk and professional secretaries that he touched. Mr. David Lua, a Vice President of APAY and President of the YMCA of Singapore, and I were at the first of three memorial services held at the Chiangmai YMCA on 30 June. The YMCA Hall was packed. Board members, Members, Friends, Former Staff and Staff were there to pay tribute to a true YMCA Secretary, a mentor, and a good friend. We came away richer for having been there to pay tribute to the late Khun Vorakit. While in Chiangmai, we were fortunate to be able to pay a visit to Dr. Boonrem Singhanetr, President of the Chiangmai YMCA, and a former Vice President of the then Asia Alliance of YMCAs, and who was active in the Alliance until the mid-nineties. He is now unfortunately most of the time house-confined because of a medial need, but he is otherwise, still the same Dr. Boonrem that we all know - hard-talking and strong-willed. We revisited the senior "statesmen" of the Asia Alliance and the struggles of the Alliance then in defining and defending the Identity and Mission of the YMCAs in Asia (and Pacific). It was a reminder to us that we have a strong Alliance today, with an Identity and a Mission because there were leaders who were committed and willing to sacrifice to ensure that the Mission was sustained and furthered. For leaders like Dr. Boonrem and the late Khun Vorakit, and many others - some still active in the National or Local YMCA - we thank God. The beginning of July this year marked an important milestone in the life of our area alliance as leaders gathered in Bangkok for the first Roundtable to deliberate on the direction and thrust, the vision for the future - building on the strong foundation we have inherited from the past leaders. The participation and the involvement of the leadership in responding to challenges and the new dynamics, culminating in a renewed vision, gave all a new sense of commitment to work towards socially transformative actions. People connected. Thoughts connected. But we need to also have this new understanding that comes from our "returning to the Lord" (Joel2:13) There are changes in our lives daily. We need to review our understanding of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, amidst people of other faiths, and cultures. We need to allow the dynamism that was generated to turn us around, to work for the strengthening of our movements and the Mission of the YMCA. With a strong foundation, new dynamics and a new Vision, it is the time to ACT, to build a new community of Love and Justicepeace. May the Lord bless us and keep us......... Yip Kok Choong With Executive Secretaries Shella Quezada-Zagada and Lakshan Dias |
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Leaders' Roundtable: Achieving Spirituality of Transformation New Officers Unanimously Elected On our way to the 16th General Assembly |