Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
YOUTHNET

The Asia and Pacific YMCA Youth Network (YouthNet) is a cyber community of young people who are involved in and concerned about the YMCA as volunteers, members or staff. This network is a result of expressed aspirations of young people to exchange information/ideas and discuss on various issues confronting the peoples of the Asia and Pacific region particularly young people based on mutual respect and friendship among the members of the group.

Initiated in September 1999 by the participants of the Asia and Pacific YMCAs' Youth
Forum, the YouthNet :

• Builds and strengthens the YMCA Youth Network in the region
• Promotes and supports youth programmes and youth participation in the YMCA decision-making processes and programme implementation
• Encourages and promotes young people's involvement in actions addressing the social issues in the region
• Mobilizes young people through Information and Communication Technology

The YouthNetters

The YouthNet is open to everyone concerned. All young people who are involved in YMCA as volunteer, member, staff and Student YMCA members may join the YouthNet. Its present members are former participants of regional youth programmes conducted by the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. Some members have signified their intention to join the network through the Youthnet.

The Steering Group
The YouthNet Steering Group serves as the decision-making body of the network. It is composed of the Members of the Youth Committee of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and representatives from the National Movements.

The Moderator
The Moderator takes up the task of facilitating the discussions, deliberations and exchanges in the YouthNet on specific issue/s. The role of the Moderator is crucial in keeping the discussions going. Moderators change on a monthly basis. She/he will propose an issue for discussion, prepare a short write-up on the issue, kick-off the discussions through several questions and provides synthesis at the end of the month. Members are welcome to volunteer as a Moderator for a particular period. The Moderator:

• Provides synthesis/summary of the points raised by the Members
• Reminds the Members of the Ideas/Activities Presented in the Network
• Leads in setting up the agenda and direction of the discussions
• Suggests and brings in his/her own ideas
• Warmly encourages members to take part and express their feelings, ideas etc.
• Coordinates the activities of the network and builds up on Members' ideas
• Gathers information on youth programmes/activities in the region

The Coordinators
The National Movements are encouraged to select a Coordinator to encourage the participation of young people from their movement. The Coordinator:

• Enlists young people to be a member of the YouthNet
• Updates the YouthNet on national programs and issues
• Seeks opportunities to sustain the active participation of young people in the movement
• Contributes to the discussion and sharing among the YouthNetters

The Technical Support
The YouthNet mailinglist is presently hosted by the PeaceNet in Korea through its General Secretary, Mr. Chun Eung Hwi.

The Organiser
The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs through its Youth Committee is the organiser of the YouthNet.

Contact Information
Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
23 Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel. (+852) 2780 8347, 2770 3168
Fax: (+852) 2385 4692
E-mail: youthnet@asiapacificymca.org
APAY website: www.asiapacificymca.org