This is our opportunity to share our progress with our Members, our partners and supporters.
Reflecting on our achievements, we are proud to say that we made a significant impact in different areas through a variety of initiatives. For many reasons, this was a crucial year for YMCA Europe! Following our Strategic Plan, in 2013 we focused on our second signature programme under the title "Healthy Living" and you will also read about the main seminars, trainings and conferences involving local and national YMCAs across Europe.
Young people played a key role in the15 different events that were organized this year by YMCA Europe. Our commitment with "youth empowerment" was also visible through the "Change Agents" programme in partnership with the World Alliance of YMCAs and the European National YMCA´s with 3 different trainings involving more than 40 young people, a new generation of YMCA leaders.
Close to 5.000 people from more than 70 countries spread across 5 continents came to Prague (Czech Republic) in August as participants of our Love 2 Live Festival. It was certainly the highlight of 2013, but above all it was a celebration of diversity and international understanding in a creative, inclusive and dynamic way. In Prague we looked back to 40 years of successful strengthening of our European movement and we renewed our commitment with our Member YMCA´s looking into the future. Building a stronger YMCA Europe also means increasing our capacity to transform communities and change lives of young people in a positive way.
Examples of that goal were the new method of implementing our Strategy which facilitates a more effective annual evaluation, the sharing of best practices in relevant programmes and resource mobilization and the approach to European institutions searching for common areas of work.
However our work would not be possible without the continuous and generous support of all our Member and Cooperating YMCA´s together with our partner institutions. We are especially thankful to more than 120.000 persons that serve the European YMCA´s in different responsibilities as volunteers and members of staff. Their commitment and the values they share are a constant inspiration for our own Executive Committee and Staff Team.
We hope that you will enjoy reading about our activities as we look forward to continue working with you and all our Member Movements shaping our future plans and priorities.
Thank you for your friendship and for joining this exciting journey !
