National YMCA Basic Leadership Formation:
Curriculum for Professional Staff
(Revised September 2000)

(The Consultation on Leadership Development which met in Tozanso, Japan from 5-10 September 2000, reviewed the Curriculum for YMCA Basic Training for Professional Staff which had been drawn up in May 1984. The group deliberated at length on the contents of the Curriculum. Through a process of review, reflection and brainstorming discussions, the group suggested the following Curriculum as a guideline for member National Movements in the region.)

CONTENTS
Purpose
Components
Course Outline

I. Understanding the Christian Faith (30 Hours)
II. Understanding the YMCA (15 Hours)
III. Understanding Constituencies and Structures (15 Hours)
IV. Study of Social Realities (30 Hours)
V. Study on Social Movements (20 hours)
VI. YMCA Programme Development (30 hours)
VII. Policy Development and Implementation (20 hours)
VIII. Organizational Development (20 hours)

Purpose

a. To form YMCA professional staff with a deep perspective of the mission of the YMCA, and also with basic knowledge required to carry out the mission in their respective YMCAs.

b. To introduce YMCA professional staff to the ideas and concepts relating to the cultural, socio-economic and political realities of the people with whom they work, and to make them aware of the possible and meaningful YMCA responses to these realities.

c. To empower YMCA professional staff by equipping them with knowledge, methodologies, and management skills with regard to planning and implementation of programmes relevant to the needs of the community in which they function.

Components

The Basic Leadership Formation programme for YMCA professional staff will preferably be conducted in a continuous period involving a minimum of 180 class hours covering Eight (8) core components. These components are:

1. Understanding the Christian Faith (30 hours)

2. Understanding the YMCA (15 hours)

3. Understanding of Constituencies and Structures (15 hours)

4. Study of Social Realities (30 hours)

5. Understanding of Social Movement (20 hours)

6. Study on YMCA Program Development (30 hours)

7. Study on YMCA Policy Development and Implementation (20 hours)

8. Study on Organizational Development(20 hours)

If a continuous training period is not possible, National YMCAs may adopt other models fitting to their specific needs. The credit hours assigned under each component is reflective of the thrust of the Basic Leadership Formation Programme. In special cases, the credit hours under the components would vary according to the specific needs and situations of participants in a particular training programme. The formal training will be coordinated with practical field work.

Given below is the general Course Outline which may be restructured according to specific national situations and needs.

Course Outline

I. Understanding the Christian Faith (30 Hours)

An introductory study of Christian Faith in light of cultural and historical perspectives as they apply to the work of the YMCAs within Asia and the South Pacific contexts. This study will introduce participants to a basic Theological understanding and contextual Theological thinking within a particular national context.

a) Contemporary Theological Perspectives

" Study of the Bible, and the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ from liberative motifs

" The Christian basis for social action

" The social thinking of churches with particular reference to Asia and the South Pacific churches

" Gospel and Community, Faith and Action

" Contextual Theology (applicable to national context) such as
Minjung Theology, Dalit Theology, Feminist Theology, Eco-Theology, Indigenous Theology, etc.

" Relations between the Church and the State

" God of the people from Old Testament perspective and Jesus as liberator and his work on Human Rights from New Testament perspective

" Historical Review of major Theological Thinking

" Towards new and relevant Spirituality

b) History of Christianity in the country/region

" Beginnings and growth of Christianity in the country

" Western Missionary Expansion

" Processes of Indigenization and Inculturation

" Current Ecumenical Thinking

c) Understanding Different Faiths and Indigenous Cultures

" Understanding the major religions in the country

" Understanding the indigenous cultures and values in the country

" Christian witness in a pluralistic society

" Dialogue and partnership with people of different Faiths in common search for a just and compassionate society

II. Understanding the YMCA (15 Hours)

To develop an understanding of the origin, development and current trends of the YMCA as an Ecumenical Movement in Asia and the South Pacific. This study will help participants understand YMCA as an Ecumenical Movement developed in response to their national social realities and context.

a) An Understanding of the History and Growth of the YMCA

" Origin and Growth of the YMCA

" Christian Basis: Paris Basis, Kampala Principles, The Alliance Statement of Mission, Challenge 21

" YMCA as an Ecumenical Movement

b) The Development of YMCAs in Asia and the South Pacific

" As a Western Missionary outreach endeavour

" As an expression of the expansionism of Western societies within specific periods/stages of their growth

" As an Ecumenical Movement in search of identity

" Characteristics and Trends of the YMCA today

" Historical Development of the Asia/World Alliance of YMCAs: main concerns, trends and thrusts

c) History and Growth of the YMCA in the Country

" Origin and growth of the YMCA in response to social situations in the country: a critical analysis

" The process of growth of the YMCA towards a culturally rooted Ecumenical Movement within its national context

" Mission Statement of the YMCA in the country

" Current thrusts and trends of the YMCA in the country

III Understanding Constituencies and Structures (15 Hours)

To develop an understanding of Constituencies and Structures of the YMCA as a way of realizing the mission of the YMCA. This study will help participants understand the organisational character of the YMCA as a membership-based ecumenical organisation oriented towards people's participatory movement.

a) Structure of a Local YMCA/National YMCA/Asia and Pacific Alliance and World Alliance

- YMCA Constituencies

" Members, Membership and Constituencies

" Organization of Members (Committees, Boards, General Body, Full Members, Associate Members, etc.)

" Lay-Professional Partnership

" Volunteerism in the YMCA

" Role and Function of professional staff and volunteers (policy-making volunteers)

" Organisational Structure of the YMCA

" Local YMCA

" National Council

" Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

" World Alliance of YMCAs

- Roles and Functions of the YMCA

" Local YMCA

" National Council

" Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

" World Alliance of YMCAs
- Concept and Practice of Inter-Movement Cooperation

b) Membership Concept

i) YMCA as a Membership Organisation

" Understanding membership as people uniting together in the YMCA to address the needs of the society

" Study of "Open Membership Policy" (partnership with people of other faiths for common social tasks)

" Membership as an affirmation to Mission priorities of the YMCA

" Membership as driving force in sustainable community building

ii) YMCA's role in organizing community, fostering civil society, and networking and building solidarity with other Ecumenical partners and like-mined NGOs and POs in the respective context.

iii) Formation of groups based on issues, specific concerns and interests

iv) Study and Review of Constitution in the light of the purpose and mission of the YMCA as a Movement: Youth in the center of the Movement, Women's participation and gender justice

IV. Study of Social Realities (30 Hours)

To develop an understanding of social realities and their impact on the life of people amidst globalisation. This study will help participants understand their communities and issues related to the people as well as underlying root causes in their respective localities/country where the YMCA functions.

a) An Understanding of National Social Realities

" Study on national, socio-political, economic, and cultural systems and realities

" A study on tools of social analysis

" A study on globalization, and its impact on people and society

" A study on socially vulnerable and marginalized groups

b) Identifying Problems and their Root Causes, and Exploring Solutions on Issues such as:

" Poverty and development

" Unemployment and underemployment

" Human Rights and People's security

" Discrimination (Racial/Ethnic, Women and gender justice)

" Religious and ethnic conflicts/Genocide/Terrorism and Fundamentalism

" Illiteracy and Ignorance

" Militarisation

" Environment and Sustainability

" Economic Order : Internal and External

" Understanding market forces and actors in global market: TNCs and Transnational Financial Institutions, etc.

" Community health

" Substance abuse/ Drug economy/HIV/AIDS

" Youth concerns and educational issues

" Other Issues

V. Study on Social Movements (20 hours)

To develop an understanding on diverse experiences and struggles of various social movements on crucial societal issues such as human rights and justice. This study will enable participants to understand the nature and traits of current social movements, and seek ways of learning from and working together with them for common social challenges and tasks

" Understanding secular ideologies and trends

" Understanding Civil Society movements and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

" Understanding New Social Movements (issue-based) : Environmental Movement, Consumer Movement, Human rights Movement, Feminist Movement, Peace Movement, Movement for Accountable Governance and Local Autonomy, etc.

" Understanding of Social Movements focusing on Advocacy and Public Policy Formation

" Networking and case studies

VI. YMCA Programme Development (30 hours)

The YMCA speaks to the world through its "programmes" whereas Churches speak to the world through sermons and baptism. This study will offer an understanding on the meaning and significance of "YMCA Programme", as well as on the concept and methodology for contextual programme responses to major social issues. This will help participants identify creative programme response in addressing societal issues faced by the community where the YMCA serves.

" Study of YMCA Programme: its relevance and implication

" Study on Participatory Development and Community Organising

" Programme formulation (Project writing), evaluation, monitoring and reporting

" Methods and skills for organising

" Advocacy work : concepts and methodologies

" Campaign building

" Policy analysis and formation

" Fund-raising and resource mobilisation

" Disaster management

" Principles of Partnership : Inter-movement cooperation

VII. Policy Development and Implementation (20 hours)

To recognize the existence of socio-economic injustices and imbalance in the respective locality/country. This study is to identify, address and take position on issues pertaining to the wellbeing of the people and community such as poverty, justice and sustainability. This will bring an understanding for the participants to recognize the deeply rooted social structures, and power relationship between the state and market forces and other sectors of a society. This will also lead not only to awareness building, but also to developing common views and perspectives on the identified issues among the YMCA constituencies.

" Study on global/regional/national economic trends and trade/investment systems

" Challenges emanating from critical issues at local/national levels

" Governance and political issues at local/national/regional/global levels

" Study on transnational institutions/policies and global issues: World Trade Organization, World Bank, IMF, UN and UN-related International Agencies, TNCs, GMO, etc.

" Study on national policies and their impacts on people and society

VIII. Organizational Development (20 hours)

To impart knowledge and skills on organizational development and organisational management with a view to increasing the capability of carrying out missional tasks of the YMCA. This study will equip participants with the holistic concept of "movement management" as well as appropriate managerial skills required to run YMCA as an institution in balance with movemental dimension of the YMCA.

"Appropriate Governance" for YMCA movement

" Capacity building : human, financial, organisational, etc.

" Management development: strategic planning, risk management, disaster management, etc.

" Personnel management : recruitment, motivation, supervision, training, continuing education, effective working relations, etc.

" Financial management: fund-raising and resource mobilization, basic budgeting, accounting, auditing, and cash flow analysis

" Information Technology and YMCA movement

" Communication, public relation and media network

" Programming and Administration : understanding administration as a means of accomplishing YMCA programme objectives

" Records management

Curriculum for Asia Pacific YMCA Advanced Studies (Revised September 2000)
Components for Lay Leaders (Policy-making Volunteers) Seminars/Workshops(As of September 2000)