“We have reconnected; we have planned Movement-wide alignment under our collective ‘YMCA Vision 2030’; we have begun to map out the next steps of our collective action and impact in Ukraine”, said World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee. “Next stop: Aarhus and World Council in July.”
Juan Simoes, Secretary-General of YMCA Europe, presented Movement-wide work in Ukraine, With up to 750,000 euro already raised from a target of 2 million, initial YMCA support has been given to some 15,000 people in Ukraine (where 17 YMCAs out of 25 in Ukraine are still functional and serving their communities) and to an estimated 40,000 new Ukrainian refugees arriving in Romania, Moldova, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium and Spain.
He pointed to an intended second round of support in three broad areas. More information here.
Vision 2030 and funding
The group also discussed YMCA Vision 2030, which had been approved on Saturday 26 March by the World YMCA Executive Committee to be presented for adoption at World Council. “This is our North Star,” said Sanvee. “Wherever you are in the world, you see it.”
Discussions explored key questions such as:
- are YMCA National Movements, as hoped, aligning their national strategies with Vision 2030?
- how far is the document designed for sharing with actual and would-be partners?
- is there freedom to pick and choose an approach between the four pillars of Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet and Just World?
“I think we can envisage alignment over time”, said Tom Valentine, Vice President – International at Y USA. “This is a unique moment: we have never before had this one overarching strategic framework for the entire YMCA Movement. In philosophy and spirit, we are all committed to doing this together.”
The group discussed post-World Council implementation of Vision 2030, with dedicated teams for each of the four pillars (Community Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, Sustainable Planet, Just World), and existing Communities of Impact strengthened.
“But we need to remember who is serving whom”, said Peter Dinsdale, President and Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Canada. “Each of us serves our local associations.”
Led by World YMCA Director of Global Partnerships Kathleen Elsig, the group then discussed resourcing the delivery of Vision 2030, with the imperative of showing impact for impact investment. Central to that discussion was the value proposition of the YMCA as a global Movement uniquely serving young people and communities in diverse ways.
“This meeting is, as much as anything, about process and relationship”, said Niclas Sannerheim, International Secretary at YMCA-YWCA Sweden. “Just being together has been invaluable.”
The following attended the meeting
Global Staff Team
- Tom Valentine, VP, International Group, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, YMCA of the USA
- Nirina Rakotomalala, General Secretary, Africa Alliance of YMCAs
- Juan Simoes, Secretary-General, YMCA Europe
- Antonio Merino, General Secretary, Latin America & Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs
- Peter Dinsdale, President, and CEO, YMCA Canada
International Secretaries:
- Gerhard Wiebe, Director, International Department, YMCA Germany,
- Fredrick Glad-Gjernes, Y Global Norway,
- Graeme Hodge, Chief Executive, Y Care International
- Helene Rohde-Juhl, International Secretary, YMCA & YWCA in Denmark,
- Milla Makinen, Program Manager, YMCA Finland,
- Niclas Sannerheim, International Secretary, YMCA-YWCA of Sweden
As well as:
- Jessica Nkongolo, Manager, Youth & Global Initiatives, YMCA Canada
- Adriana Stanovici, Manager, Global Advancement, YMCA USA
- Carlos Sanvee, Kathleen Elsig and John Phillips, World YMCA
