The way we see and experience Europe changed forever since then and also the YMCA has made extraordinary efforts to be relevant across our continent with an emphasis on young people, a new generation of Europeans.
From YMCA Europe´s Strategic Plan 2011 – 2016 :
"The Berlin Wall fell more than 20 years ago. Europe has changes since then and so has YMCA Europe. The dream of a borderless Europe is a more evident reality for a growing number of our citizens who no longer see each other as "Northern-Eastern-Southern or Western" Europeans. The number of people in Europe with very similar priorities and common challenges will continue to grow and we must prepare for that. Especially as we serve a new generation of young people which is even further away from the traditional geographic, cultural and social stereotypes that have often been a historic barrier in our continent.
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Over the last 20 years YMCA Europe has been very successful with Movement Strengthening where the focus has been to restart YMCA National Movements in Central and Eastern Europe. Today there is over double the number of countries with YMCAs compared to the late 1980´s and we will continue to look for opportunities for new National Movements. But our main emphasis will be to support and strengthen existing movements across all of Europe.
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It is in this light that we have formulated the YMCA Europe Strategy 2011 – 2016. It is intended to be inclusive and relevant. Inclusive to ensure it embraces the wonderfully wide diversity of communities within Europe. Relevant to the interests and needs of our Movements and through them relevant to Young Europe…"