You will read what has been possible thanks to the support of our partners and member YMCAs across our continent. Through the combined efforts of many people, we continue strengthening YMCA Europe as an inclusive and relevant platform in contemporary times, putting young people at the centre of all our initiatives.
These challenging economic times in which social difficulties are increased among the more vulnerable members of our communities, needed an answer from YMCA Europe. Therefore, after a wide consultation process that had started the year before, during our General Assembly held in June we adopted our new Strategic Plan for the period 2011 – 2016. Concrete priorities were established and three signature programmes would "reflect our unique character, our ambitions as well as our Mission":
- Peace, Justice and Democracy
- Healthy Living
- Inclusive Christianity
Aligned with the World Alliance of YMCAs’ Strategy and as part of the largest youth movement in the world, we focus on Youth Empowerment and have created spaces for participation and growth of young people.
Our pan-European perspective inspired us to be a reference for National Movements, emphasizing the need for a more effective cooperation among them.
You can find examples of our achievements throughout the report together with figures about our dimension, impact and accounts. We also include testimonials from participants in our programmes and information about our partners.
On behalf of our Executive Committee and staff we thank you for your continuous support and active participation.
Peter Posner
President
Juan Simoes Iglesias
Secretary General