YMCA Europe Heritage

YMCAs work in Europe, rooted in a rich heritage, stands as a testament to our wider movement’s legacy of fostering youth development, community engagement, and social impact.

Since its start under the World YMCA, European YMCA work has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of young people, promoting inclusivity, and contributing to the betterment of communities. With a commitment to principles of empowerment, education, and equality, YMCA Europe has continued to evolve, embracing change while staying true to its main purpose and foundational values.

The organization’s heritage is a tapestry woven with stories of resilience, unity, and a relentless dedication to building a better, more connected Europe.

European Area Committee (EAC)

The European Area Committee (EAC) started at the 1st European Area Conference in 1949, taking place in Florence, Italy. The Conference was sponsored by the World Alliance of YMCAs.

In total there were six area conferences
Florence, Italy – 1947
Kassel, Germany – 1953
Aarhus, Denmark – 1957
Thessaloniki, Greece – 1962
Mainau, Germany – 1967
Munich, Germany – 1972

The EAC Terms of reference were approved by the World Alliance in 1959 and from 1946-1972 all expenses of the EAC (staff, travel, printing, preparation of conferences) were covered by the World Alliance. In 1972, the World Alliance accepted to participate in the budget of the EAC with an amount of 25,000 Swiss Francs payable over a 2.5 year period.

The World Alliance of YMCAs employed European Area Secretaries from 1946 right up to 1973:
R. W. Jones 1946-1956 (full-time)
T. Littmarch 1956-1963 (part time/Mainau)
G. Jansson 1964-1969 (part time/Mainau)
J.E. Edger 1969-1971 (part time)
J.F Reymond 1971-1973 (part time)

Castle Mainau

In order to open a “window to the world” for young people after the destruction of WWII, Swedish Count Lennart Bernadotte offered meetings and leisure time for young people on Mainau Island.

This institution developed into the “International Institute Castle Mainau”, which began operation in 1949, under the sponsorship of the World Alliance of YMCAs, in a wing of the castle, and offered courses, seminars and workshops on youth issues in various areas.

By the time the institute closed at the end of 1968, around 20,000 participants from 40 countries had attended the events at Mainau Palace. The closing meant a substantial sum of money was given to the YMCA as compensation but also conversations started about a new European training center.

Doelf Weder (former Secretary General) recounts: “When I was around 15 years of age, i.e. in the mid sixties, I attended annual YMCA meetings with international participants at the institute, mostly group leaders, from around Lake Constance. One of our local YMCA St. Gallen film programs, which I ran as a volunteer in 1968, which was shown on Swiss television during the famous `protesting youth times` also took place there.”

The Early Years

The European Area Committee established its own secretariat September 1st, 1973 in Kassel, Germany with a full-time Executive Secretary, Mr Egon Slopianka and a half-time office secretary some months later as it entered in a new phase of development.

It was of course an attempt to find out ways and means of how to serve the national movements in Europe, at which time there were 18 and included the Polska YMCA with its seat in London and the Übernationaler * Bund YMCA/YWCA with its seat in Germany. Other priorities included how to assist the work of the World Alliance in Europe in implementing World Alliance policy, and how to make the European movement a united entity through efforts of cooperation and development.

In October 1973 the officers were appointed and for the sake of simplification they were the same as those of the European Area Committee, which included:

Chairman: F.Albert Schwarz, Germany
Vice-Chairman: Robert B.Jack, Scotland
Vice Chairman: Max Brüllmann, Switzerland
Vice Chairman: Anders Hammar, Sweden

There was no formal appointment of a treasurer at this time. It was also agreed with the World Alliance that from 1974 the accounts would fall under the EAC as the transition from operating as its own area organization went hand in hand with the registration, statutes, and constitution.

There were four main working groups in the early years which included:

Conference of Training Institutes
European Camping Group
European Committee for physical education
European Committee for programme and Leadership

During this time the YMCA was holding consultative status with the Council of Europe and was a member of various statutory bodies in the Council. A Lot of activity in the European Youth Centre and support from the European Youth Foundation for administrative and European events was well received.

During this time period there were a couple of significant events, the first executive committee elections in 1976, significant discussions and meetings between EAC and the World Alliance to review relationships 1979.

Major discussions and agreement over the new statutes which also included through this process the changing of the legal name through German authorities to the European Alliance of YMCAs this was done parallel to a movement wide consultation around priorities and focus moving forward formed the Medium Term plan of Christian emphasis, Intermovement cooperation and YMCA in international systems & Institutions.

* Übernationaler YMCA/YWCA Bund in Germany was composed of different Alliances: Latvians, Yugoslavians, Hungarians, Russians, Estonians and Czechoslovakians. The Bund was an affiliate of the German Movement and had representation with the EAC.

Decades

70’s
In 1973 the transition from operating under the World Alliance started with the formation of a secretariat in Kassel, Germany. Egon Slopianka from Germany also became the first European Secretary. Much emphasis was put on supporting the European institutions (European Youth Centre, Council of Europe) with YMCA receiving institutional and project support. Significant effort was put into new initiatives like Interrail, English Language courses and Peace Seminars.

Key Events

First Nomination Committee formed
First Elections
E.Sillem Hoeve Centre (Netherlands) remodeled
Intermovement cooperation Fund established

Secretaries Meeting of Southern Europe 79 (1)

Secretaries Meeting of Southern Europe 1979

80’s
At the start of this decade the YMCA legally changed its name to the European Alliance of YMCAs (EAY). This decade also saw the Mediterranean YMCAs develop, including the ‘Youth in Southern Europe’ research which focused on their needs, fears and aspirations.

Supported heavily through the USA’s International Office for Europe the focus was to help the YMCAs in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus however towards the end of the decade during November 1989, an historic event which would change Europe and the European YMCA forever happened as the Berlin Wall came down.

Key Events

Leadership development
Established program relationships between YMCAs of the USA and Europe
Intermovement Cooperation Emphasis
Berlin Wall falls

90’s
The European Alliance of YMCAs hit the 90’s with a new Secretary General; Doelf Weder and an office move to St Gallen, Switzerland. As Eastern Europe reopened the field group system was developed to assist new/reopening YMCAs on their journey, more USA support came in the form of the Saphir initiative which was supported to the tune of 1.5 million from the US Government.

Tensing, Training the trainers and Scouting and Jungschar all started in this decade alongside the YMCA Europe website being launched in 1996. This decade ended just as it started with a new Secretary General Johan Vilhelm Eltvik and the office relocation to Prague, Czech Republic.

Key Events

Office relocation – St Gallen, Switzerland & Prague, Czech Republic
New Secretary Generals – Doelf Weder & Johan Vilhelm Eltvik
European Tensing Festival
YMCA-YWCA Staff Conferences
Extension of the staff team
Training of Trainers

Secretary General Doelf Weder visits YMCA Sidero

2000’s
The 2000’s started with a bang as the European Alliance announced its plans for a training center in Litomysl, Czech Republic. This was followed up with launching of catch the vision and the Balkan conferences of which more followed.

2003 saw the first Prague festival and the European expansion over the previous decade had worked as there were now 20 new movements since 1990. The YES group started for young Europeans and a new logo appeared as we started to refer to ourselves as YMCA Europe. The decade closed out with the opening of the training center, another festival and launching the Roots for Reconciliation programme.

Key Events

Training Centre in Litomysl, Czech Republic
European Festivals 2003 & 2008
Friends of YMCA Europe Campaign Launched
Catch the Vision Conferences
Roots for Reconciliation Project
Training for Programme Developers

2010’s
This decade once again started with a change in leadership as Juan A. Simoes Iglesias started as the new Secretary General in 2011.

The following years saw the establishment of new initiatives like the revived General Secretaries Forum, Camping group and the first UNIFY conference. Another festival in Prague in 2013 followed by an award winning YES conference in Poland.

2016 saw a representation office open in Brussels, Belgium in order to strengthen the voice and presence among European institutions and other civil society organisations. The Leadership Academy started alongside the conferences and working group around refugees and migrants.

The decade ended with a global celebration in London with YMCA175 as the first reports of the COVID virus close out this decade.

Key Events

New Secretary General – Juan A. Simoes Iglesias
Prague Festival 2013
Representation Office opened in Brussels
YMCA Leadership Academy launched
National General Secretaries Forum
YMCA 175

YMCA Europe logo development

As the European YMCA has developed so has the logo, the first logo can be found on documents in the 1980s, specifically the first General Assembly under the new name, the logo then changed slightly but always kept the YMCA triangle and the translated versions of YMCA in multiple European languages.

The 90’s logo was created by Doelf Weder and his team in St.Gallen and moved with the office to Prague where It was in use until 2006. The classic red triangle sits on top of the black and white squares symbolizing the national movements.

2006 saw a Czech company modernize the logo which uses the traditional YMCA colours and exists with two versions, the second having a border around the text and triangle. This logo was adopted by some European movements and was in use until 2021.

The current YMCA logo has a lighter shade of red and drops the word Europe- the aim is to have a more connected, united brand which is more recognisable European wide. More national movements have adopted this branding as specifically key partnerships and Europe wide initiatives cross borders and share methodologies and activities.

YMCA Europe Presidents

YMCA Europe, throughout its dynamic history, has been led by a series of visionary and dedicated presidents who have steered the organization towards positive change and impactful initiatives. Each president has brought a unique perspective and leadership style, contributing to the growth and evolution of YMCA Europe.

Their roles have ranged from guiding strategic decisions to championing the values of youth development, social justice, and community engagement. These presidents, through their commitment and passion, have played an integral part in shaping YMCA Europe’s narrative and ensuring its continued relevance in fostering positive change across the continent.

YMCA Europe General Secretaries

YMCA Europe has been fortunate to have experienced and dedicated General Secretaries who have played instrumental roles in advancing the organization’s mission and objectives. The General Secretaries of YMCA Europe have been visionary leaders, overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives, fostering collaboration among diverse national YMCAs, and promoting the values of youth empowerment, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Their leadership has been marked by a commitment to innovation, adaptability to changing social landscapes, and a focus on addressing the evolving needs of young people across the continent. Through their guidance, YMCA Europe has consistently strived to create a positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities, reinforcing its position as a key player in the European youth development landscape.

The Evolution of the Website

The YMCA Europe website has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception in 1996. Initially established as a basic online presence, the website has progressively transformed into a dynamic hub, reflecting the evolving needs of the YMCA community and the broader digital landscape. Over the years, there has been a continuous commitment to enhancing user experience, incorporating modern design principles, and adapting to emerging technologies.

From static content to interactive features, the website now serves as a comprehensive platform, offering valuable resources, fostering community engagement, and showcasing the impactful initiatives and stories of YMCA Europe. This evolution underscores YMCA’s dedication to staying current in the digital realm, ensuring accessibility, and providing a vibrant online space that aligns with its mission of youth empowerment and community development.

Click on the images below to visit the “wayback when machine” – a digital archive for websites.

YMCA Heritage Album

Embark on a nostalgic journey through YMCA Europe’s rich heritage with our “Heritage Album”. This exclusive visual archive offers a glimpse into the transformative moments that have defined our movement over the past half-century. From visionary leaders shaping the course of YMCA Europe to impactful activities that resonate with our commitment to youth empowerment, these historic pictures chronicle the enduring legacy of our organization.

Join us in celebrating the milestones, achievements, and cherished memories that have woven the tapestry of our YMCA journey, reflecting the spirit and dedication that have fueled our mission for the past five decades. Explore and immerse yourself in the timeless stories captured within these images, each a testament to the enduring strength of YMCA Europe’s history.

Our Heritage

65 photos

Sports & TenSing

Two mainstay European programmes are Sports and TenSing respectively. Both started before the European Alliance and are still active today.

The European sports competitions started back in 1952 with a group/committee organising European YMCA Championships in Basketball, Handball, Table tennis and Volleyball every two years.

Today the European YMCA Sport (ESY) still operates, organizing championships and training.

TenSing originated from Norway in 1968. The name “TenSing” is a combination of the Norwegian suffix “-ten” (en. “-teen”) and the English word “sing” – a kind of language mixing that was quite common in Norway at the time.

The first TenSing group was started in Bergen by Kjell Grønner. It was inspired by Sing Out, which later became known as Up with People. The years that followed more groups were formed in Norway, and today there are over hundred groups all over Norway. The Norwegian YWCA–YMCA wanted to implement TenSing in other European countries, and the starting point was Germany in 1986. This was the start of TenSing Norwegen, now TenSing Norway.

While Tensing remains as popular today as it always was, it spread across youth groups and movements a fellowship of tensingers organically started connecting and talking with the first European Tensing Seminar event taking place in the Netherlands in 1991, and the first festival in 1993 in Germany.

Today we still have a European Tensing network. Check out the actual Tensing Europe database here.

In the picture, Ten Sing’s founding father Kjell Grønner at the 50th TenSing anniversary (2018, Norway). Learn more

TenSing International Yearbook 1997

TenSing 4U – 2003

50th Anniversary Album

In collaborations with the World Alliance of YMCAs we have curated 50 images that span the last 5 decades of the European Alliance. The images represent moments, people, programmes and groups.

This snapshot of our European movement was made into a printed album and gifted to the current General Secretary Juan Simoes Iglesias by current World YMCA Leader Carlos Sanvee during the 50th Anniversary year.

The album has been made into a PDF for individuals and movements to download their own copy.