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Last Updated (Friday, 03 December 2021 20:44)

APAY National General Secretaries’ Meeting

November 23, 2021, through Zoom

 

The NGSs and national staff attended the National General Secretaries Meeting from the NCY of Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. The APAY staff present were: Nam Boo Won, General Secretary; Maria Christina Miranda, Sunita Suna, Executive secretary for Programs; Chan Beng Seng, Coordinator- GATN, Muriel Montenegro, Coordinator- IFC and Magda R Gana – Prog. Secretary, Makati YMCA, Philippines.

The primary purpose of the NGSs meeting was to share and listen to the current situation and challenges faced by the YMCAs in the region, which will inform and guide the movements priorities and direction of the APAY in the coming year.

The meeting started with reading biblical passages of hope amid the hopelessness and despair, led by Muriel Montenegro, NGS Retha from Indonesia and NGS Brownson from Sri Lanka. The NGSs shared the activities and initiatives of their YMCAs and updated the COVID-19 pandemic situation in their countries and contexts. Most of the YMCAs continue to suffer from financial challenges due to the global pandemic. Though a few YMCAs received some financial support from their governments to continue their work, many YMCAs are still unable to provide full-fledged services due to the Covid-19 restrictions and protocols. Hence, YMCAs are finding new ways to respond to the covid-19 pandemic while continuing the important works required by their communities. Amid ongoing hardships, some good news are also shared by the Myanmar YMCA and the Council of YMCAs of Hong Kong, celebrating their 70th and 120th anniversary.

Magda Gana was invited to share her experience and participation at the COP26 in Glasgow UK held on November 1-13, 2021. She was one of the 18 Green Ambassadors who attended the COP26. She emphasized the importance of the Youth-Led Solutions by the young people and informed that there are 10 projects of YLS led by young people of various YMCAs in the Asia Pacific region. Apart from Magda, General Secretary Nam, Chan Beng Seng, Coordinator- GATN, and Kim Keung-Min , National General Secretay of the NCY of Korea attended the COP26 representing the APAY as well as the Community of Impact on climate change.

WAY data community was briefly shared and explained by Cristina Miranda. Sunita Suna shared the information on the YMCA organizational assessment on gender equity survey and the International essay contest for the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. GS Nam reminded the NGSs of the APAY office relocation application, as well as 21st General Assembly host application whose submission deadlines are end of January and 15th January 2022 each. Nam also shared the upcoming Executive Committee Meeting scheduled on April 1-2, 2022 as per the decision by APAY board. The meeting adjourned with a closing prayer led by Bertram, NGS of India YMCA.