Category Archives: News

One of the participants of Catch the Vision seminar is sharing her unique experiences.

Armenia? Where’s that? Oh, by Turkey? Well sure, that sounds like something new, different and fun! These were my first thoughts two years ago as I was asked to participate in an international conference for YMCA Europe. I didn’t know much about the place, the people, or the project. Now, I find myself returning for another year, another conference, and teaching other young people about how to get to Republic Square, or count to ten in Armenian (give or take a pronunciation!), and about what “do no harm” means in the greater context.

Returning home, I am still in awe by the sight of seeing so many people from different cultures and countries coming together in one room, and instantly becoming best friends. It doesn’t matter that we don’t speak the same verbal language, we have so much else in common. We love our jobs and help people grow in mind, body and spirit. I’ve met Danes who have taught me about Grandma’s pie in relation to the importance of encouraging someone to change for the better, and a Britain who believes so strongly in the betterment of humanity and equality of opportunities that her passion makes me want to get up and act! An Irishman inspired peace-making in all parts of my life, while Armenians have shared their stories and passion for their country.

I’ve met so many great people and learned so much more about the world through these travels and conferences. I have incorporated many of these teachings into staff trainings back at my own YMCA. I really have caught the vision and tell everyone at home about my experiences!

Amanda Kelley, 24 years old, Frost Valley YMCA, USA

Hello fellow YMCA Members, My name is Scott Tunnicliffe, I am 24 years old and living and working in New Zealand. Since moving to Wanganui, New Zealand from England in…

2009 was the year when the consequences of the financial crisis started to hit YMCA Europe. So far we have avoided major crises, even if fundraising and collection of money became more difficult.

The European Alliance of YMCAs (“YMCA Europe”) has a vacancy for the post of Secretary General starting 1st January 2011 following the appointment of the current post holder to the position of Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs.

Are you young and you would like to understand the value and richness of religious and cultural traditions in their own societies and throughout Europe? Than this is as session for you! The main aim is to enable you to work in your diverse environment, understand differences, build bridges and seek togetherness within the existing diversity.

A European YMCA voice at the World Youth Conference 2010 in Mexico

Our Secretary General, Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, has been selected to take over the role of Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs (WAY) with effect from 1 January 2011. In order to facilitate the development of important work at WAY, WAY President Ken Colloton has asked us if we could reassign Johan Vilhelm’s duties so that he can work full time on WAY matters as soon as possible. In order to help the WAY in this exciting time, I am pleased to say that we are in a position to release Johan Vilhelm with effect from 15th September 2010.

“Have you been dreaming about visit to Cuba? About the wild forest with bison? About the travel to the past – to Jewish shtetls where tailors were violinists, where klezmer music sounds like a prayer and where the son of poor herring’s seller became one of the most leading artists of XX centaury? To realize your dreams we invite you to Belarus, the most unknown country of contemporary Europe, open-air museum of communism (European Cuba), country where Marc Chagall was born and where he created his magical world;, where still you will find things, which are impossible to find in other places in the world, where you will experience the beauty of Orthodox and still alive sorrows of the World War II…. Your guides designed the programme of your journey using their own best knowledge and private contacts; because of that you will experience real ‘nomenklatura’ treatment: you will see unique places, you will meet incredible people, you will enjoy different great art, you will live in comfort conditions and eat best Eastern European food, you will be safe and protected…”.

Within an actual campaign on resource mobilization YMCA Belarus is also trying to find its own way of settling stability and progressive development. Unfortunately, according to the laws an NGO in Belarus can’t earn money in any way and grants getting possibilities are very unlimited. So, this is a big challenge for a young organization to put a strategy for development when you totally depend on the position of the government towards NGOs and from time to time have a danger to start thinking about survival rather than moving forward.