YMCA Europe attended an insightful gathering, hosted by World YMCA on 16-17 February 2023 at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland with the objective to promote teamwork and build synergies for partnering and resource development across the YMCA Movement in order to support the realization of Vision 2030.
The meeting brought together 21 participants from various YMCAs worldwide, as well as guest speakers. Interactive sessions were held to explore principles, practices, and opportunities for strengthening resource development on a global scale. Learn more about the outcomes.
From 20 to 22 February, the meetings continued with a group of 27 leaders representing different YMCAs around the world collaborating on designing the ‘backbone function’ for YMCA Vision 2030.
This backbone function will be a joint effort by the World YMCA, the four YMCA Area Alliances (Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean), YMCA USA, and YMCA Canada. Its primary goal is to provide support to YMCA National Movements across the globe as they work towards implementing the shared strategic framework adopted at the World Council in July 2022.
The backbone function will operate in four key areas, including strategic alignment, learning and innovation, advocacy and representation, and resource development. This initiative aims to enhance coordination and collaboration among the various YMCAs to achieve shared goals and contribute to the success of YMCA Vision 2030. Learn more
Part of the mission and vision is also the exploration of our spiritual identity.
The Steering Committee for the World YMCA convened in Geneva from 23-25 February 2023 to plan and lead a Movement-wide conversation on exploring Christian identity, expression, and narrative in the 21st-century global YMCA.
This was their first in-person meeting after conducting five online meetings since September 2022, which followed the initiative’s formal approval by the World YMCA Executive Committee in July 2022. Learn more
