News and Information on Programmes and Events of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

No. 24, March 2002

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1. Executive Meeting Held : First Disbursement from GATF Initiated

2. Golden Anniversary Trust Fund (GATF)

3. Support to Issue-based Action Programmes

4. Programme Highlights for 2002

5. Consolidation and Extension Work

6. National General Secretaries' Conference Held

7. Planning Begins for 16th General Assembly in Singapore

8. 20th YMCA Advanced Studies

9. Programme Calendar 2002

10. Easter Wishes

 

From 14-16 March 2002, a total of 103 volunteers and professional leaders of YMCAs from National Movements of the region participated in the Executive Committee and Related Meetings held at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.

We were greatly encouraged by the spirit of "oneness" that prevailed throughout the Executive Meetings. The daily Devotions and Reflections centred on peace in the current world situation.

One of the main decisions of the Meeting was to disburse from the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund (GATF), support for new community-based programmes to serve the poorest of the poor. The GATF is an endowment fund established in 1999. This is historic as the funds disbursed are from revenue derived from the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund. We wish to build more support for projects of this nature in the future. (See GATF for more details.)

Mr. Kan Tanikawa, President of the Alliance remarked that the year 2001 had been again another eventful year, especially in the holding of the joint Ecumenical Consultation on Social Advocacy, together with the Christian Conference of Asia and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. He also referred to and thanked the YMCA family for the support given to the various programmes, including the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund, and the Gujarat Earthquake Project of the YMCAs of India.

The General Secretary's Report highlighted the "darkness that had spread" over our lands following the terrorist attacks of 11 September in the USA. It expressed the need to reclaim the ecumenical history of the YMCA as we work together with all people irrespective of race or religion towards a culture of peace and non-violence. It also stressed the need for building interfaith partnerships for just and inclusive communities.

During the year, the ground was prepared for actions on crucial issues confronting youth, working for a gender-just world, fostering civil society, addressing impoverishment through community organising, and networking for the empowerment of migrant workers. Leadership development for movement building to carry out some of these tasks continued through the Advanced Studies Programme. In terms of extension, the new YMCAs in Cambodia, East Timor and Mongolia were registered during the year, and are now moving into the next stage of their development.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Nick Nightingale, Secretary General of the World Alliance; Mr. Tom Beerntsen, Chair of the National Board of the YMCA of USA, and Mrs. Penny Beerntsen, Mr. Jerry Prado Shaw, International Director and Ms. Boon Chin Tan, Associate Director of the YMCA of USA; Ecumenical Partners from the FABC, CCA, WSCF and the Asia Area Y's Men International.

We thank all YMCAs, their members, and the Y's Men for their concerted efforts in support of the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund (GATF). We have as at 15 March 2002, contributions and pledges of US$1,043,454.88 of which US$796,590.35 have been received. The interest derived so far is US$48,429.74.

Pledges and Contributions Received up to 28 February 2002

Category of Contributors Pledged Paid Balance Due a. National Movements 673,110.00 567,183.00 108,523.62 b. Local YMCAs 132,250.00 37,532.18 94,717.82 c. Other Organisations 5,475.18 19,655.65 - d. Individuals 130,476.87 115,498.74 14,978.13 e. Sale of Items, etc. - 8,291.04 - f. Interest Received - 48,429.74 - Total 941,312.00 796.590.35 218,219.57

Total Pledge + Income from Sale of Items + Interest Received = US$1,040,858.26

Chaired by Dr. Philip Kwok, the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund Committee which met during the Executive Committee Meeting focussed discussions on steps to achieve the target of US$2 million by the time of the 16th General Assembly in the year 2003. More emphasis will be placed on raising contributions from within Hong Kong to use to advantage the tax-exempt status of the GATF in Hong Kong. We have requested national movements to appoint a national coordinator to assist in meeting this target, and to share their plans in regard to the fundraising within their countries.

The Trustees which also met during the period of the Executive Meeting, decided to release up to US$15,000 of the interest derived so far, for support of appropriate programmes that are in accordance with the criteria of the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund.

The Executive Committee approved financial support for several issue-based action programmes in the region through the National/Local Action Programmes (NLAPs). These are :

Gender : Self-employment Programme for Young Women, Lashio YMCA, Myanmar; Empowerment of Women in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam; Formation of Action Groups for Empowerment of Women and Men, Sri Lanka.

Youth : Education for Rural Youth Development, Kut Kai YMCA, Myanmar; Drug Abuse Prevention and Education Programme, Medan, Indonesia.

Local and National Movements are invited to submit further applications for support of action-oriented Youth and Gender NLAPs, ensuring that the criteria are met. These should reach the Alliance Office by 15 May 2002.

The Executive Committee gave priority to Youth and Gender issues and approved the Programme Plan for 2002. Given below are some major regional programmes for the year :

Reactivating and intensifying the YMCA involvement in student and youth work call for policy formulation and practical strategies. This Programme will involve policy and decision makers on youth actions who recognise the urgency to prioritise the students and youth work in the YMCAs. Participants of this Programme, which will be held on September 10-15 in Korea, are expected to formulate a collective mandate and draw up concrete plans to tackle crucial youth issues such as reproductive health and HIV/AIDs, education, unemployment, consumptive lifestyle, etc.

b. Youth Exchange Programme

With the focus on youth, Youth Exchanges to offer young people practical hands-on experience on selected programmes particularly on empowerment of peoples, youth issues, gender issues, environmental issues etc. have been planned. Three young volunteers or staff already involved in student and youth work 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 requested to recommend names of potential candidates for the Programme.

c. Gender Advocacy Workshop on Violence Against Women

This will be a follow-up of last year's Consultation on gender concerns. As recommended, this programme will be used as a venue to work on the implementation of advocacy actions for gender justice through the issue on violence against women. This will bring together YMCA professionals and volunteers, both men and women, who are already involved in women empowerment programmes and are set to develop implementation plans and action agenda from the strategies and approaches defined in last year's Consultation. The Gender Advocacy Workshop on Violence Against Women is set on 6-11 November 2002, in Bombay, India.

d. Civil Society Building with focus on Sustainable Development

Several YMCAs in our region, in response to the thrust of building and strengthening civil society, has expressed keen interest in engaging in further work on sustainable development. The YMCA presence in the coming World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) from 24 August to 4 September 2002, in Johannesburg, and its preparatory processes, provide us avenues for further planning and action. After the WSSD, a follow-up is planned to bring these participants and others together to establish partnerships among YMCAs with demonstrated expertise and interest in promoting environmentally sound and socially responsible sustainable development. More information on this programme will be shared in due course.

e. Networking for Building Community and a Culture of Peace

Considering the rise of religious fundamentalism and the need for working together with people of all faiths in community building, this programme is aimed at bringing together community leaders with YMCA volunteers and staff who are actively involved in justice issues and building solidarity. The programme expects to network YMCAs involved in interfaith partnerships on specific development programmes. It is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from 10-14 October 2002.

f. Exchanges between Migrant Workers' Centres

The exchanges, a recommendation of the Networking Workshop on Migrant Workers held last year, are planned to establish partnerships between YMCA Migrant Workers Centres in sending countries and/or YMCAs in receiving countries of migrant workers. The first multi-lateral exchange programme of up to three weeks in August/September, will take place between the Migrant Workers Centres in Bangladesh, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, to facilitate in-depth experience and enhance planning and implementation of Migrant Workers empowerment programmes and reintegration programmes.

Upon reviewing the Consolidation work of the past year, the Executive Committee endorsed plans for further strengthening of emerging and struggling YMCAs through capacity building to enable them to play a proactive role in the transformation of their respective societies. Consolidation work will be pursued in the newly registered YMCAs of Cambodia, East Timor, Mongolia and other countries listed in the Consolidation Plan.

Twenty-one National General Secretaries (NGSs) and other representatives including Mr. Nick Nightingale, Secretary General of the World Alliance, met from 17-18 March on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The Conference was Chaired by Mr. Lee Nam Joo, NGS of YMCA Korea. The NGSs deliberated with Nick Nightingale on some key issues related to the Global Strategic Directions and the Global Operating Plan, particularly operational issues and concerns. There was also a discussion on the coming World Council and its programme events.

National General Secretaries also discussed ways and means of fundraising for the Golden Anniversary Trust Fund between now and the 16th General Assembly in 2003. Mr. Max Ediger of the Documentation for Action Groups in Asia (DAGA) gave an insight into the work for just peace, healing and transformation, using examples from his work in different parts of Asia. Mr. Sanjeewa Linayage of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) shared about the use of modern Communication and Information Technology for Networking and Movement Building drawing from AHRC's experiences.

Preparations are underway for the 16th General Assembly to be held in Singapore from 2-6 September 2003. A Youth Forum will also be held on 1-2 September. To prepare the programme contents and the Workbook for the Assembly, a Writing Team will meet in August. The core theme will focus on building of community for just peace, healing and transformation. Other topics of concern are postmodernism and globalisation, the urgency for action on sustainable development and the ecological crisis, the rise of fundamentalism, youth issues, and gender equity.

The 20th YMCA Advanced Studies will be held in Hong Kong from 26 October to 29 November 2002. Details of the programme has already been sent to National Movements. Applications should reach the Alliance Office by 15 June 2002.

May the Holy Week be a period of deep reflection and spiritual renewal for all of us. As we commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, may we be inspired afresh to work for transformation of society. Wishing you a very Happy Easter!