I am sitting now Prague, looking at the beautiful fall weather outside and reflecting on my participation at the European YMCA/YWCA Staff Conference (ESC) that took place in Helsinki. The International Planning Group was meeting regularly to make this event a success and as its member I am happy to say that we managed exactly that!
What is ESC all about? It is a unique gathering that each 3 years invites YMCA and YWCA professionals to meet at the different places in Europe to network, take part in various workshops, sports, devotions and to share their work and personal experiences. This was a 5th Conference that I have planned and participated at and I will always consider this a privilege and a reward. In Finland we had the opportunity to stay in a beautiful resort in the forest, on the seashore, with sauna and pool to enjoy! How special is that! And yes, people used sauna on the seaside and after that took a plunge into the sea. Juan Simoes – YMCA Europe Secretary General – addressed the Conference with two inputs, both of them very relevant and important – migration crisis in Europe and planning YMCA Europe strategic focus for 2016-2020.
Participants had the chance to reflect on those topics in the discussion groups and during the informal times as well. On the excursion day a special ferry arrived to the resort and took the participants to island of Suomenlinna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, popular with tourists and locals, who enjoy it as a picturesque picnic site with wonderful views of the sea and town of Helsinki. The last evening a devotion took us on a spiritual journey along the sea, with candles, enjoying the spectacular sunset. While walking I did feel as being part of something special as I reflected on my YMCA work, on the friendships I have built during the time, on the future of YMCA, upcoming challenges and opportunities and once again I wished that more professionals would realize that this opportunity is there for them to use and enjoy!
So – see you at the next Conference – 2018 in the YMCA Europe Training Centre in Litomysl, Czech Republic!
But for now – thank you Finland!
