This has been a year of great achievements in which we have set the bases for future developments at YMCA Europe. In spite of the global economic climate that has affected some of our Movements, as you read through the Report you will discover that 2010 was one of the most intense and fruitful years in terms of new initiatives, the renewal of agreements with our partners and the communication of our reality.
Great changes have taken place at the YMCA as a global movement and together with the World Alliance and the other Area Organizations, YMCA Europe has continued to seek new formulas for strengthening our movements, increasing our impact in the communities and seeking for sustainability. Relevant programmes for youth, resource mobilization and the improvement of our capacity for measuring our impact, have been the areas in which we have focused in 2010.
In May we started a wide consultation process in order to design our new Strategic Plan for the period 2011 – 2016. We received input from the Executive Committee, National General Secretaries, staff, participants at the 2010 General Assembly, leaders of the Movement Development and Programme Groups and many other persons directly involved at YMCA Europe.
In cooperation with its Member Movements and partners, YMCA Europe has achieved a lot over the last 37 years. Our new Strategy shows the direction and objectives of our work for the next 5 years as we also prepare to provide answers to the real needs of young people across Europe. The planning of our 2013 Festival has started. Terms such as "peace and reconciliation", "social justice", "leadership training", "inclusion" and "international cooperation" have been the core messages present in each of the actions developed along the year and also the framework for our future projects.
We are living in exciting times and have been blessed with many strengths and opportunities. We are now ready to optimize those for the benefit of our Member Movements across Europe representing 5,561 local YMCAs and reaching more than 2 million people. Touching and changing the lives of our young people is our daily goal.
Thank you for your continuous support and cooperation!
Warm regards on behalf of the Executive Committee and Staff of YMCA Europe.
Peter Posner
President
Juan Simoes Iglesias
Secretary General
