October started with two strategic meetings at YMCA Europe. The 6th NGS Forum took place in Kassel (Germany) followed by our Executive Committee in Catania (Italy).
Both agendas were complementary taking into consideration the roles of both platforms with the ExCom focusing on governance aspects and the NGS Forum with an emphasis on programmatic and strategic items.
On October 2-4, National General Secretaries from 22 European movements met in Kassel hosted by YMCA Germany. The agenda included presentations and group work about the reality of the YMCA in Europe and updates about programme initiatives. The NGS Forum has become a key working space with a focus on the implementation of the current YMCA Europe´s strategy “Towards 2020”.
The Executive Committee agreed the next steps on the Organizational Review process and included agenda items such as the Operational Plan, the legal status of the Office in Brussels, a financial overview after the 3rd quarter and the reports from the Secretary General and other programme groups. The sessions in Catania were followed by visits to projects with refugees and migrants hosted by institutions that cooperate with YMCA Italy in Sicily such as Community St. Egidio and St. Vincent.
Our deep gratitude to YMCAs Germany and Italy for their warm hospitality hosting both meetings. DANKE…. GRAZIE !!