Beyond the 100th Year

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Last Updated (Tuesday, 24 August 2021 16:02)

Beyond the 100th Year

Y’s Men International Asia Pacific Area Moves On

The 29th Asia Pacific biennial Area Convention of Y’s Men International was successfully held in Tainan, Taiwan, on the 14th of August 2021, in a hybrid form due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Taiwan Region gathered in the Evergreen Plaza Hotel for the Convention, followed by the Regional Convention on the same day. This was the first time for the ASP Area to hold the Area Convention in a hybrid form. It facilitated overseas members from other Areas and local members from different cities to attend virtually. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts and hard work of AC Chair PAP Tung-Ming Hsiao, HCC PRD Che-Hung Tsai and HCGS RD Kevin Su, the Area Convention attracted more than 500 participants, including those watched on YouTube. It was also broadcast on YouTube. It was indeed a success for this historic Area Convention.

The strong relationship between Y’s Men and the YMCA is affirmed with the presence of Prof. Chen Chin-Seng, President of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. In his congratulatory message, President Chen praised the ongoing close relationship between the two organizations and added that the COVID 19 pandemic was an opportunity for working more closely together. He elaborated on the word “danger” in Chinese, which is expressed with two letters; one is danger, and the other is opportunity. He encouraged both organizations to seize the opportunity presented by the adversity of the COVID-19 to work in solidarity for the greater good of our stakeholders.

A highlight of the Convention was the Installation Ceremony of Area President OHNO Ben Tsutomu. International President Kim Sang-chae presided over the solemn ceremony from Korea with IPAP David Lua from Singapore, turning over the badge of office to AP Ohno in Japan, thanks to easy access to virtual conference technology.

The Area Convention was a time to celebrate the achievements of the past year. Outgoing IPAP David Lua has made remarkable differences during his term in the Area by introducing the “new blood” and revitalizing the “old blood”, tapping on the rich talents and resources available in the Area to rejuvenate and strengthen the membership. He also succeeded in completing the review of the Area Constitution, introducing amendments to ensure that provisions on governance were more robust, rebuilding the Area website, reviewing the NDERF policy, reviving the Area Bulletin, establishing the Area Youth Development Committee and the Area History Book, just to name a few. In addition, to celebrate YMI’s centenary anniversary, the Area launched three centenary projects: the Food, Culture and Heritage Competition, the SongFest, and “Action against Climate Change” in a green activity project whereby ASP Area undertook to co-fund the installation of a Solar PV System in Makati YMCA. In return, Makati YMCA pledged to support ASP Area’s projects on climate change advocacy. This historic project celebrates the Golden Anniversary of Makati YMCA and the 100th Anniversary of YMI. It cements the strong relationship between our two austere organizations and presents a new model of partnership.

The Asia Pacific Area has become more vibrant and is thriving more vigorously than ever. In making a difference beyond the 100th, incoming AP Ohno harnesses the momentum in moving on to the next development phase.

We look forward to more collaborations between the APAY and the ASP Area that will further strengthen our bonds of partnership.

 

 

By Immediate Past Area Secretary Keiko Tonegawa