The exchange visits of Ms. Asha Paul, India and Mr. Hideki Ishibashi, Japan-Korea last year demonstrated that better understanding between peoples and cultures, and partnerships between YMCAs are important in dealing with issues we face. We are happy to share that for this year, two young leaders commenced their Exchanges this month. Japan-Philippines: Ms. Rieko Hana, a youth volunteer from Kobe YMCA, Japan will be in the Philippines for four months, attached to the Migrant Workers Resource Center of the National Council of YMCAs. The focus of her exchange will be on issues of women empowerment, HIV/AIDS, and migrant-labour. Her programme started on 14 September. India-Sri Lanka: Dr. (Ms.) Bianca Nazareth of the Nagpur YMCA and a Vice President of the National Council of YMCAs of India, arrived in Sri Lanka on 20 September. She will be attached to the National Council Office for one month and will be engaged in programmes on youth issues in different YMCAs, including the ecumenical National Students and Youth Gathering (NSYG) that the National Council is organising. We encourage more YMCAs to avail support for young leaders to participate in this on-going youth issue- focussed international experience. We also encourage young leaders to take advantage of these exchanges to widen their YMCA perspectives and experiences to better serve their YMCA and the community.
The Leaders' Quadrennial Roundtable (LQR) in July established the quadrennial mission thrust and formed Task Groups to assist in developing the visions and goals that emerged. The Task Groups on the 5 focus areas have initiated e-discussions and are expected to complete their tasks by December 2004. The inputs will help to strengthen our planning process and deliberations at the Executive Committee and Standing Committees' Meetings in March 2005. We appreciate the efforts of the Task Group Facilitators and Members and thank them for taking this responsibility.
The Mission in Action Programme (MAP) is a multilateral cooperation initiative implemented this year that emphasises and fosters responsiveness to contextual realities and the APAY quadrennial priorities. We were happy to share in the July Headlines that 5 movements had responded to support 10 MAP initiatives in Bangladesh , Indonesia , Myanmar , Nepal , Sri Lanka and Vietnam . These are now in various stages of implementation. For instance, the Bangladesh YMCA recently conducted a Training-of-Trainers for 22 participants from 11 YMCAs for their programme on "Fighting HIV/AIDS and its Stigma". Nepal has started the Mass Literacy Programme in 2 rural villages in the Lalitpur District. The Indonesian YMCA carried out a Youth Environmental Work Camp in Manado in August attended by 61 young leaders from different parts of Indonesia . Proposals were invited in July for MAP 2005. Several Movements have already responded to the invitation for programmes that will contribute to empowering people, towards attaining just-peace in communities, with special focus on interfaith cooperation programmes. Movements may submit proposals for MAP 2005 up to 30 October 2004 . The invitation to join in a MAP partnership with proponent YMCAs and communities will be issued by the end of November .
Sixty-one young participants from Java and Sulawesi participated in a Youth Environmental Work Camp in Manado , North Sulawesi, Indonesia on 6-12 August, jointly organised by the Manado YMCA, the National Council of YMCAs of Indonesia and the APAY. It also marked the 55th Anniversary of the founding of the YMCA in Indonesia . Mr. Ratty Supit, Vice President of the National Board of YMCAs and Ms. Judith Lim, the National General Secretary were present at the Work Camp. It was unfortunate that several participants from other parts of the region were unable to attend due to various reasons that we will all need to address. R eforestation work was carried out in 2 sites on the denuded hill slopes in Ratahan District for prevention of landslides and to revitalise the Ratahan watershed. The environmental issues of the region and their impact, including the impact of pollution of the seas were studied. The participants visited the Bunakan Marine Park and discussed its threatened situation with government officials. The influx of international tourists has caused much damage to the rich and beautiful coral life there. We thank the Metropolitan YMCA of Singapore and the Taiwan YMCA for financial support for the camp through the MAP initiative. Another youth initiative, the fifth biennial International Youth Work Camp in Vietnam (reported in Headlines, July) had inspired participants and Movements alike to contribute in building communities and facilitate the involvement of young people in shaping the future of their societies. Photos of the Work Camp held in Mo Cay District, Ben Tre province, Vietnam on 17-28 July may be viewed in the Photo Gallery of www.asiapacificymca.org .
There will be 16 participants (including 5 female Secretaries) from Bangladesh , Hong Kong , India , Japan , Korea , Myanmar , Philippines , Singapore , Shanghai-China , Taiwan , and Thailand at this year's Studies from 24 October to 26 November at the YMCA Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village. Dr. Lee Hung Jung (Korea) of the Christian Conference of Asia; Dr. T. Sreekumar (India) from the National University of Singapore, and Mr. David Selvaraj (India) of Visthar , India are among the facilitators who will lead in key modules of study.
The 16 th General Assembly Report seeks to remind and urge Movements towards the attainment of "Spirituality of Transformation" and to act in solidarity with the poor, the suffering and build sustainable communities where Just-peace prevails. Key to the deliberations in Singapore is the call to seek and adopt new paradigms and new forms of partnerships within the movement, with the peoples and communities in the Asia and Pacific region. The Report has been sent to participants and National Movements. We urge Movements to share the outcomes of the Assembly with their constituencies. We encourage movements to implement meaningful responses in line with this vision amidst the contextual realities of the people.
We thank the Movements of Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan; Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia, Tokyo-Japan, Perth-Australia, Singapore, Metropolitan Singapore; and YMCA International Deaf Youth Camp 2004 for their support of the Bangladesh YMCA's Flood Relief when floods affected more than three-quarters of the country in July. The YMCA of the USA also responded to our appeal issued on 26 July 2004 . The YMCAs of Canada, Netherlands , Germany and Costa Rica , and Y-Care International contributed through the World Alliance. Of the total US$ 56,995 jointly raised with the World Alliance, the APAY raised US$20,340 . Emergency Relief of dry food rations was provided to 5,000 families (30,000 persons).
The Bangladesh YMCA has now embarked on an agricultural rehabilitation programme. Agricultural amenities will be provided to 4,000 marginal farmers who possess one bigha (0.33 acre) of cultivatable land or less. The balance of approx. US$9,000 from the Emergency Relief Fund will be utilised, but additional support will be needed for this programme. The World Alliance will be coordinating the fund-raising for the rehabilitation programme. We encourage movements in the region to consider the possibility of supporting this rehabilitation phase. Kindly contact us at the APAY Secretariat if you wish to. (Visit www.bangladeshymca.org )
With the difficult financial situation of many YMCAs in the region in 2003, we were not able to secure sufficient funds to publish our biannual magazine, Asia Pacific YMCA. The good news now is that following discussions with the YMCA of Hong Kong and the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, we have their generous "anchor" pledge towards the publication costs of the magazine. We will be seeking support from other YMCAs from time to time. We hope to bring out the first issue for 2004 by end October with the cover story on Partnerships for Transformation and Building Communities. We solicit your contributions of significant national news items.
The YMCAs of China, Japan and Korea deliberated on their roles in peace-building in North East Asia in Jeju , Korea on 9-12 September 2004. These YMCAs have a tradition of biennial bilateral meetings on mutual cooperation. Following the Keynote address by Dr. Jung Ji-Seok, Sr. Research Fellow of the Korea Christian Academy , I presented the APAY's perspectives on the theme. There were specific presentations from China , Japan and Korea for joint peace-building efforts. There were open and frank discussions on cultural/historical issues and reconciliation, and the spirit for building culture of peace. This meeting is a good example of inter-movement cooperation to find YMCA "do-able" peace-building actions on a vital issue in the Northeast.
Dr. Robert Evans and Ms. Alice Frazer Evans, Directors of Plowshares Institute and Nobel Peace Prize Nominees led 30 participants from the two YMCAs and various Christian organisations in Hong Kong in acquiring skills and strategies for peace-building on 21-22 September 2004. The Conflict Transformation and Peace-building Workshop organised by the YMCA of Hong Kong, applied case studies and role-plays to prepare participants to bridge barriers and to take positive and effective action to build a Culture of Peace within their sphere of influence - home, workplace, church, or community. We were invited by the YMCA of Hong Kong to be in the organising process, and Mr. Lakshan Dias, Executive Secretary was our representative.
The YMCAs of Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia , Singapore and Taiwan participated in the 22 nd Deaf Youth Camp, a programme of the Network of YMCAs working with the Deaf on 30 July - 6 August. The Taipei YMCA and the Rotary Club D3520 of Taiwan hosted the Camp that had as its theme: Embracing the World With Our Hands. There were 120 participants, a far cry from the first Camp held in 1975 with 25 participants from the Osaka YMCA and Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong. This is a good example of a strong YMCA network on a common concern that has been able to develop new focus over 30 years.
Mr. Liberato Siaron or Levi has officially assumed the position of National General Secretary of the YMCA of the Philippines on 28 August 2004 , after serving as Interim NGS from November 2003. Levi, a former YMCA Secretary with the Manila YMCA and the National Council of YMCAs, was the President of the Quezon City YMCA and the Treasurer of the National Board prior to his appointment. He brings much professional skills and experience for the future strengthening of the YMCA of the Philippines .
Preparations by EASY Net are now underway for the Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering (ASYG), 7-14 December 2004 in Cipayung , Indonesia , with the theme Together in Action for Peace and Reconciliation. There will be space for dialogue and learning , thematic workshops on Peace and Human Security, Education and Culture, Economic Justice and Globalisation, Ecumenism and Interfaith cooperation, and cultural exchanges. Participants will go on exposure visits to selected communities reflecting significant issues and social sectors, such as interfaith activities, fisherfolk, farmers, urban poor, street children, and labourers. As part of the ASYG process, national Ecumenical Teams are organising National Students and Youth Gatherings (NSYGs) to address their contextual issues. Some countries that have already planned or held their NSYGs include Bangladesh , Indonesia , Korea , Myanmar , Philippines and Sri Lanka . We urge National YMCA Movements to actively support the participation of young leaders in the NSYG and the ASYG 2004. Details of this ecumenical youth gathering have been sent to National Movements on 15 July. The ASYG registration deadline is 31 October 2004 . Kindly visit the Programme Section of www.asiapacificymca.org for more details/registration form.
Forty-eight young leaders from 4 major religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam) and some indigenous faiths met in Hyderabad , India from 6-11 September for an Inter-religious youth consultation jointly organised by the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCA, Christian Conference of Asia , and sponsored by the EED of Germany. Rich experiences and knowledge from various conflict zones in Asia , such as Mindanao in the Philippines , Cambodia , Kashmir and Nagaland in India , Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , and Thailand were shared. Participants proposed a regional interfaith cooperation action plan for youth participation to overcome violence and build just, peaceful societies. The Henry Martyn Institute (HMI) facilitated a workshop on conflict transformation and peace building with particular reference to interfaith collaboration and dialogue. Exposures were arranged to slum communities where the HMI works with Hindus and Muslims in peace-building. Lakshan Dias, Executive Secretary for Programmes attended as the APAY representative on the Organising Committee.
"Celebrating, envisioning and building peace with justice" (Psalm 146) will help us focus on the World Alliance's 150 years of the YMCA's unique contribution to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and working for the Reign of God. Special world level celebration events that will enable attendees to experience YMCA work worldwide will be launched on 19 March 2005 with a service of thanksgiving and a fellowship dinner in Paris . The 150-day worldwide Celebrations will culminate with a global celebration in Mumbai , India from 14-22 August 2005 to be attended by all sectors of the YMCA. Special focus will be on youth participation. Exposure visits to YMCA work with slum and other marginalised communities in and around Mumbai; leadership development, debates on Challenge 21 issues; and key presentations on the YMCA's ecumenical vision have been planned. There will also be worship, celebrative activities, exhibitions, and a re-dedication to the Mission of the YMCA on 22 August. We encourage all YMCAs in our region to organise appropriate programmes to commemorate this milestone in our world-YMCA history. Please inform the World Alliance and us about them.
The World Alliance of YMCAs as a response to the Challenge 21 imperative to "uphold the rights of children" committed to join an international coalition to create a culture of prevention of child abuse with 407 other organisations. In solidarity with children everywhere, we encourage movements to plan activities for the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse . Organise children to speak out through discussions or creative expressions, conduct public awareness campaigns, workshops or seminars, integrate the principle of child abuse elimination and prevention in on-going programmes, etc. to bring the message across to people and communities that the YMCA upholds the rights of the child. Kindly share information of your action with us - to share with the rest of the Movement.
The Global Staff Team (GST) comprising the Area Executives and led by the Secretary General of the World Alliance met on 3-6 September in Geneva , Switzerland . A key discussion was on the status and operation of the Global Operating Plan (GOP). The current GOP interventions include: Africa - Area Organisation, Angola, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Zambia; Asia and Pacific - East Timor; Europe - Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Albania, Macedonia, Georgia; Latin America and Caribbean - Area Organisation; and the Global HIV/AIDS Forum in 2004. Bangkok , Thailand was presented for inclusion in 2005. However, more financial support is needed for the countries already on the GOP, and additional countries in 2004/2005. We encourage movements in the region to contribute towards the support needed for 2004/2005. The continued support for the development and strengthening of the nascent East Timor YMCA in 2004/2005 will be solicited from movements within our region. The YMCAs of Australia, Japan and Korea will provide the key support.
Following the success of the recent electronic forum on resource mobilisation and HIV/ AIDS, the World Alliance will organise a follow-up forum on HIV/AIDS and Stigma between 11 October and 16 November 2004 . Through this E-forum, the WA hopes to increase YMCA understanding of the problem of HIV/AIDS and stigma; enhance skills to recognise individual and collective stigmatisation actions and perceptions; increase involvement and impact at all levels of anti-stigma campaigns; increase commitment to HIV/AIDS care, counseling and advocacy actions; integrate an anti-stigma dimension into existing programmes and services, and share, replicate, expand YMCA and other NGO best practices in stigma eradication. We encourage participation in the E-Forum. Register at http://www.secnetpro.com/YMCA.HIV-AIDS.Stigma . For other details please write to Carlos Sanvee : carlos@ymca.int
Mr. David Wong ( Hong Kong ), Regional Director (RD) Asia Area, attended the Y's Men International Convention in Kochi , Kerala on 12-16 August 2004. He shares that at the Asia Area RDs meeting, AP Hiromi Nagao (an active volunteer leader of Osaka YMCA, Japan ) called for greater efforts to organise the Y's Men in China . The International Council adopted the Unified Global Project on HIV-AIDS, actively supported by the Asia Area. About 650 delegates were at the IC, with the largest delegations coming from Japan , Korea , Denmark and hosts India .
I concluded the July Headlines with these words: With a strong foundation, new dynamics and a new Vision, it is the time to ACT, to build a new community of Love and Justpeace. The theme for the 150 th Anniversary of the World Alliance announced in August is "Celebrating, envisioning and building peace with justice" (Psalm 146). As we together with the World YMCA Family focus on celebrating its past 150 years of "being" in the community, amidst all sorts and conditions of humanity, we are reminded of the need to find strength from our great traditions, to go forward with a fresh vision, driven by the dynamics created by the urgency to build a new community of Love and Justpeace. We continue to face in our region, the impacts of globalisation, the misery and suffering caused by conflicts and war, the rampant poverty amidst the wealth of our region, the rape and destruction of our ecological heritage and resources, continuing social and economic inequalities, political struggles that cause instability within countries and the region, etc. The 16 th General Assembly has called for new paradigms and new forms of partnerships to meet the prevailing and emerging situations in our region. Now, we need to see beyond this time and these concerns, to seek and work towards new communities of love, justice and peace. Let us create the space to encourage new paradigms to emerge …. be the voice for alternatives to the many situations of injustice and conditions that dehumanise peoples and communities, and …. be the vehicle to deliver, through new partnerships, actions that will bring change and transform communities. 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 |