World YMCA President Soheila Hayek Participated in the 12th National Conference of YMCAs of Japan

Last Updated (Tuesday, 04 July 2023 17:03)

The Japan YMCA Alliance Council, in which representatives from YMCAs across Japan discussed reports of 2022 and plans for 2023 of the National Council of YMCAs of Japan, was held at YMCA Tozanso in Gotemba on June 17-18, bringing together about 100 people from 35 local YMCAs and 19 Student YMCAs. 

Since this year is the 120th anniversary of the formation of the National Council of YMCAs of Japan, we invited Ms. Soheila Hayek, the President of the World YMCA, to join us. We also had a session to learn and talk together about "Vision 2030," which YMCAs around the world began working on last summer. 

Madam President Soheyla encouraged the participating Japanese youths, saying "The world will become more borderless in the future. Your possibilities are endless. Please don't create barriers based on your own opinions. I want you to have confidence in yourselves and move forward.” 

At the conference, there were many programs including an anniversary worship for the 120th anniversary of the formation of the National Council of YMCAs of Japan and an awarding ceremony for the new Secretary of the Japan YMCA, and the conference was closed with a promise to continue working towards Vision 2030 together with our colleagues in Japan and overseas. 

After the conference, Madam President Soheyla visited the Osaka YMCA, the Yokohama YMCA, and the Tokyo YMCA, and she encouraged the members, students, and staff from each YMCA. 

By Utako Sugino
Director, The National Council of YMCAs of Japan