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150 th Anniversary of the World Alliance of YMCAs: A POSTCARD FROM MUMBAI: ˇ§Don't say- I am a youthˇ¨ On the 22 nd of August 1855, a group of visionary leaders gathered in Paris, and they adopted the founding principles, the Paris Basis, that continues to guide us in our mission. Today, 150 years later, we gather in Mumbai as young leaders of the YMCA to revisit and reaffirm the Paris Basis, and its contemporary expression Challenge 21, to gain new understanding of its meaning in the present world and commit ourselves to their value for unity and transformation towards love and peace with justice. We have come together to share and envision for the future of the YMCA. Our vision is for a YMCA in which young people are at the core of our Movement. We have a calling to be pioneers in bringing about positive change and to create a youth movement that is spiritually strong and socially relevant. At this gathering, we have discussed issues of critical concern to youth in our region: Youth Unemployment: Too many young people are unable to find employment due to lack of education, demographic change, socio-economic disparities and other factors. Employment that is non-discriminatory, fairly paid and safe should be available to all young people. The YMCA can help solve this problem by implementing programs that allow young people to access education (including educational resources), develop holistically with a deep sense of community, and become ready for work. Education: Youth lack skills-based education and resources. Educational processes are influenced by globalization resulting in eroding cultural identities/traditional wisdom and high costs of education. Education should aim to develop individuals who feel that they belong and want to contribute to their communities. We acknowledge that our challenge is to empower individuals and provide them with equal opportunity, to ensure they receive the holistic education they need. Peace-building: We recognize that there are ongoing conflicts across our region. We will build peace by fostering and enhancing in the minds of the people, especially youth, an understanding of people, beliefs, history, values, religions and cultures. We will promote a climate of peace and justice among the people, through peace-education, inter-faith understanding and by actively developing local and global relationships. Youth Participation and Leadership: The YMCA loses too many young volunteers and members. We believe in empowering youth and strengthening their involvement locally and globally within the YMCA to address the need for sustainable participation and leadership and create the sense of belonging to the YMCA Movement. HIV/ AIDS: HIV/AIDS is not merely a clinical disease, but a social, economic, cultural and psychological issue that is taking many lives. We believe the YMCA needs to increase awareness of HIV/ AIDS in the community by extending education programs to children, parents and at-risk groups and by providing correct information, to remove stigmas, discrimination and misconceptions. Our young leaders must join hand in hand to make HIV/AIDS history. Conclusion: We urge the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs to communicate this declaration to all National Movements for their consideration and to take proactive actions to achieve these recommendations. We also reaffirm our commitment to achieving the recommendations of the 1999 Manila and 2004 Singapore Youth Forums towards greater youth participation in the YMCA, youth leadership development and capacity building and social involvement addressing crucial issues. We note with disappointment that many of the recommendations of these Forums have not been implemented. There is nothing more critical to the survival of the YMCA for another 150 years, than the involvement and empowerment of youth at all levels of our Movement. Please, don't say we are only youth.
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