Tuesday 20 July 2010

Opening Ceremony #2

At events like this you suddenly feel the scale of the YMCA. 1130+ guests from all corners of the world meeting up for a week of discussion, decision and celebration.


Earlier in the day I bumped into Gwenael, a YMCA colleague from Haiti, who is right at the centre of rebuilding their nation. I was shown pictures of their new building, which is rising from the rubble, a symbol of hope in a nation that needs lots. That meeting put into perspective the invaluable work that YMCAs do all around the world.


Later we were at the downtown conference centre for the opening ceremony. I could talk about the opening business and the welcomes, but i'm sure those will be recorded elsewhere. For me, once the formalities were over, the celebrations began. Connection speed allowing I'll try and share some of these with you:


Young people from England were right at the heart of the preceding International Youth Forum and they also featured onstage, in a dance. It was put together with other young people from around the globe, see if you recognise anyone from your YMCA:

..hopefully more to follow later

1 comment:

  1. Great stuff Simon, so good to be able to view
    some video "snap shots" :-) THANK YOU - and
    feel free to put up some more !

    ReplyDelete