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News and Information on Programmes and Events of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs Issue: No. 22 / September 2001 Contents 1. A Time for Prayer, A Time for Building Community 2. Regional Follow-up Deliberation on Youth Issues and Actions 3. Regional Consultation on Gender Concerns: Girls' Trafficking and Forced Prostitution 4. Networking for Empowerment of Migrant Workers 5. South East Asia Workshop on Civil Society Building 6. International Youth Work-camp in Vietnam 7. Consolidation and Extension 8. New Appointment: Executive Secretary for Programmes 9. Upcoming Programmes 10. YMCAs Celebrating Anniversaries 11. Dates of Next Executive Committee Meeting and NGS Conference 12. Concluding Thoughts
Considering the global situation currently prevailing since the horrific and devastating incidents of 11th September in the USA, we have sent a letter to the President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush, expressing our concerns. The full text of the letter is given below: "We are the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, a Federation of YMCAs in 24 countries/territories with over 6 million members. We are writing to you in these moments when our world is passing through critical days in the wake of the horrific and terrible incidents, which took place on 11th September in the USA, wherein over 6,300 people are now reported missing or dead. We have expressed our deep sympathies and grief on 12th September through our brothers and sisters in the YMCA of USA, for those who perished in those tragic events and expressed our condolences to those who lost their loved ones. As we continue to pray for those who are missing or dead, and all those who have in some way or the other been affected by the incidents, we wish to also express our deep concerns as the world seems to be getting more polarized, leading to possibilities of a tremendous clash of civilizations with potentials of more destruction and loss of innocent lives. Considering the global situation currently prevailing since the horrific and devastating incidents of 11th September in the USA, we have sent a letter to the President of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush, expressing our concerns. The full text of the letter is given below: As the focal point of this impending clash is within our region, we sincerely urge you to seek and pursue the peaceful world that we all yearn for, together with all civilizations and cultures. As YMCAs in this region characterized by religious and cultural plurality, we are engaged in local and national levels in building communities, together with all people of goodwill, irrespective of their race, culture, gender or religion. We are inspired in this task by the vision and mission of the YMCA which calls us to pursue the values of the Kingdom (Reign) of God, characterized by justice, love and peace. In these moments of distress, worldwide concern and increasing calls for restraint and respect for human rights of every people and community, we call upon your goodself and the leadership of your Government to work towards peace with justice. In these moments of distress, worldwide concern and increasing calls for restraint and respect for human rights of every people and community, we call upon your goodself and the leadership of your Government to work towards peace with justice. May God guide you and your leadership towards achieving this goal."
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