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March 2003 Quarterly Newsletter of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs This first issue of the Headlines in 2003 comes with news of upcoming events that are significant to our lives as part of the YMCA movement. The 16th General Assembly in September will bring us together as one large family - united amidst our diversity and committed towards a spirituality that transforms not only ourselves but also community. 1. Executive Committee: Renewed in Commitment towards Peace Ninety representatives from 20 YMCAs from Asia and the Pacific met on 13-15 March 2003 in Hong Kong for the Executive Committee and Related Meetings. Mr. Kan Tanikawa, the President of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, briefly reviewed the work of the past year and called for renewal of commitment towards achieving the YMCA mission in our own contexts. He commented that though we know that we have achieved most of our chosen tasks for the Quadrennium, new realities have since emerged. He said that the Peace that we treasure so much was being threatened. The negative impacts of Globalisation on the poor in our part of the world continued to marginalise our peoples and increase poverty. He asked: "How do we attain development that is sustainable? How can we protect the rights of the child, the woman, and the weak? How can we engage the total community in building a culture of peace tempered with love and justice? How can we engage ourselves with people of other faiths to work together towards peace?" Touching on the threats of war and conflicts in different parts of the world, he challenged the participants to engage in building a community characterised by love and justice, and to be transformed by the renewal of our hearts, our minds and our spirits. He also thanked Mr. Bart Shaha for his work in furthering the Mission of the YMCA in the region during his term as General Secretary of the Alliance. The General Secretary's Report touched on the YMCA's role as instruments of Peace in the current times. It emphasised the YMCA's commitment "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" as enunciated in Challenge 21. The Report also highlighted the Alliance's responses and actions on priorital issues including building community and a culture of peace, developing policies on youth and student work, acting for gender equity, and networking for the empowerment of migrant workers. Actions for and by young people on peace, education, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and other risk-taking behaviours were also highlighted. Leadership development for movement building continued through the Advanced Studies Programme and the National General Secretaries' Conference. Consolidation work was carried out in Cambodia, East Timor, Fiji, Mongolia, Pakistan, Samoa, Vietnam and Bangkok, for their strengthening as National Movements. The meeting also welcomed the participation of Mr. Bart Shaha as the Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs. An official farewell was also held in honour of Mr. Shaha. Representatives from Ecumenical partners, the Christian Conference of Asia and the Asian Christian Higher Education Institute; and the Asia Area Y's Men International also attended the meeting. The daily devotions and reflections which were focused on the issue of peace and the role of YMCA as peacemakers inspired the participants and encouraged further reflections and commitment towards working for a Culture of Peace. 2. National General Secretaries Elect New Chairperson The National General Secretaries meeting on 16 March 2003 elected Mr. T. Thomas National General Secretary of the National Council of YMCAs of India, as the Chairperson for the meeting in place of Mr. Lee Nam Joo. The meeting thanked Mr. Lee, the National General Secretary of National Council of YMCAs of Korea, for his leadership of the meetings since 2000. Mr. Lee retires in October 2003. 3. Fundraising Efforts Planned for the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund (GATF) Our sincere appreciation to all National and Local YMCAs, their members and the Y's Men for their sustained efforts towards meeting the immediate target to raise the GATF to US$ 2 million. As you are aware, the GATF is aimed at supporting community organising and development efforts towards a humane world and helping the poor to help themselves. We have as at 31 December 2002, contributions and pledges of US$ 997,312.05 of which US$ 790,768.97 have been received. The interest derived so far is US$ 54,320.91. The Fundraising Committee of the GATF chaired by Dr. Philip Kwok discussed a fresh GATF campaign to be launched during the 16th General Assembly. It was also recommended that fundraising efforts be increased in Hong Kong to take advantage of the tax-exempt status of the Fund. Meanwhile, the Alliance was much saddened at the loss of a GATF Trustee, Dr. C.S. Lam, an active promoter of the GATF. The Executive Committee has appointed Dr. Cecil S.O. Chan to fill the vacancy as provided for in the Trust Deed. Pledges and contributions received as at 31 December 2002 :
The Trustees also decided to provide support for the Programme on "Mobilising and Empowering Landless Labourers" in Salem, India. Last year three programmes were supported in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. 4. Action Programmes on Gender, Youth and Human Rights Eight action programmes from among 15 programmes submitted were selected by the Executive Committee for support through the National/Local Action Programmes (NLAPs). These are: Gender: Empowerment of Women in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam; Action Groups on Gender Concerns, India; Training on Livelihood for Young Women, Hpa-an, Myanmar; Women's Empowerment Programme, Bangladesh; HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Programme, Nepal; Organising Communities towards Self-reliance and Development, Negombo, Sri Lanka. Youth: Strengthening Youth Involvement in Issues and the YMCA, Vietnam. Human Rights: Empowering Young Migrant Workers, Protecting Human Rights, Myanmar. 5. Main Programmes for Year 2003 The major event for the year is the 16th General Assembly and the Youth Forum. Action programmes will focus on youth, gender, and human rights. Sustainable Development will also be given priority. Some of the programmes set for the year are: 16th General Assembly The 16th General Assembly will bring together a wide spectrum of YMCA leaders for mutual sharing of experiences, insights and visions around the theme "Spirituality of Transformation for Just-peace". Set at a time when the world is threatened by the violence of war, terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts, and economic disparity that affect the lives and security of everyone, the Assembly will provide an opportunity for us to seek together a deep spirituality of transformation and to work together on justice so that peace for all can begin to flourish throughout our region and the world. The 16th General Assembly will be held on 2-6 September 2003 in Singapore. The Quadrennial Council Meeting is scheduled on the evenings of 2nd and 5th September. Details of the General Assembly have already been circulated to the National Movements. Registrations will be accepted until 30 May 2003. For more information, please visit our Website, www.asiapacificymca.org. Youth Forum The Youth Forum to be held on 31 August- 2 September in Singapore, is planned to provide young people with space to study together crucial issues and youth concerns and explore their role in social transformation through meaningful YMCA responses. In line with the Assembly Theme, the focus of the Forum will be on Young People, Together Towards a Transformed World. Youth from the Forum will fully participate in the 16th General Assembly. Young YMCA volunteer leaders and staff, with strong commitment to youth work and the YMCA Mission, are invited to participate. Registrations will be accepted until 30 June 2003. 5th International Youth Work Camp in Vietnam The YMCA in Vietnam was established in 1992. The YMCAs of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam initiated this biennial International Youth Work Camp to creating multilateral cooperation to support the strengthening and development of the YMCA in Vietnam. The 5th International Youth Camp is scheduled for 20-31 July 2003. It will provide an exciting setting for dynamic interaction among young people. Participants will assist in building two classrooms in rural province. Part of the programme will be a two-day youth forum on their roles in building community. The National Council of YMCAs of Korea will by rotation be responsible for the coordination of this year's Work Camp. We encourage and invite all movements to participate in the Work Camp in Vietnam. Details of the programme will be circulated soon. Youth Exchange Programme Youth Exchanges with focus on youth participation and involvement in the YMCAs and its Mission have been planned. These Exchanges will present practical hands-on experience to young people on selected programmes related to empowerment of peoples; youth, gender and environmental issues, etc. Three young volunteers or staff already involved in youth work in their local movements and who are willing to engage in similar activities in another YMCA for 2-3 months will be selected for these exchanges. National YMCAs are invited to submit names of potential candidates for the Programme. Please see details on our Website. Regional Programme on Sustainable Development In pursuance of our thrust of strengthening civil society and in response to issues raised during the World Summit on Sustainable Development, a regional programme will be organised in November to review and analyse the outcomes of the Summit. The Earth Charter will also be explored for action planning. This Programme will bring together YMCAs working towards environmentally sound and socially responsible sustainable development, to establish partners and cultivate alternative lifestyles and cultures that respect the holistic relationship between nature and people. 21st Advanced Studies Programme The Advanced Studies Programme is a unique leadership development programme of the Alliance that emphasises the formation of YMCA professional leaders for movement development. This serves to enhance the professional leadership in the region in pursuance of contextual expressions of the YMCA Mission. The 21st Advanced Studies will be held in Hong Kong from 26 October - 29 November 2003. Details of the programme have already been sent to National Movements and can also be viewed at the APAY Website. Applications should reach the Alliance office by 14 June 2003. 6. Inter-Religious Cooperation Programme An inter-religious cooperation programme with the theme " Living Our Faiths - Seeking Justice, Peace and Sustainable Alternatives Together" will be held on April 6-10 April 2003 in Prapat, Indonesia. Designed to bring together grassroots persons of different faiths for sharing and working together, it is jointly organised by the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the German Church Development Organisation, EED. 7. Call for Applications for Position of Executive Secretary for Programmes A position of Executive Secretary for Programmes is now open. We hope to fill the position latest by October 2003. We invite applications from experienced, mission-driven team-persons for the position. Applications for the position close on 31 July 2003. Details of this opening will be circulated to National Movements and other Ecumenical partners soon. They will also be available on the Alliance's Website. 8. Nominations for Election as Officers of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs The Quadrennial Council Meeting of the Asia and Pacific Alliance to be held during the 16th General Assembly will elect Officers for the next Quadrennium (2003-2007) as per Constitutional provision. Notice calling for nominations for election as Officers of the Asia and Pacific Alliance will be circulated soon. The closing date for nominations has been set as 15 July 2003. 9. Appointment as New General Secretary I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Executive Committee of the Alliance on my appointment as its General Secretary with effect from 1 April 2003. I seek your prayers, guidance and support, as we "one body with many members", continue to focus on the Mission of the YMCA and work together to stimulate and strengthen leadership. It has been said that we are only as strong as our weakest member (of the body) - hence our challenge to work together to strengthen National Movements within our region. I also wish to express my appreciation to my predecessor, Mr. Bart Shaha, now Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs based in Geneva, Switzerland, for his exemplary visionary leadership, and strengthening of the Mission of the YMCA in the region during the seven years that he served as General Secretary of the APAY. Easter Greetings These are anxious and disturbing times we live in. Various conflicts and wars rage unabated in different parts of our region and other parts of the world. The atypical pneumonia virus (Coronavirus Pneumonia) continues to spread threatening all of us and the rest of the world. As we reflect on the suffering and miseries of our own peoples, we are reminded of the pain and suffering of Jesus Christ. During this period of Lent, let us remember in our prayers, the suffering and those who live in anxiety and uncertainty because of on-going conflicts, wars and the current worldwide health threat. Let us pray for peace. Let us pray for deliverance. Let us claim the promise of Christ's eternal love that brings peace, healing and justice, as we journey together towards the Cross. May we all have a blessed Easter filled with Love, Peace and Joy.
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Leaders' Roundtable: Achieving Spirituality of Transformation New Officers Unanimously Elected On our way to the 16th General Assembly |