One year volunteering at YMCA Le Rocheton, France

This my first ever blog post and I am not very comfortable with formal writing but here goes! I am Ian Cook from YMCA Bolton and I am currently volunteering at the YMCA Centre International de Séjours, Le Rocheton, France.

When I found out I had been invited to work here for the year, I was amazed that they had even considered looking at a weak French speaker from the north but here I am! I am a very laid back person and that was the downfall to my preparation, Instead of practicing my French, I was out enjoying my remaining days with my friends. Big mistake.

I arrived at the Le Rocheton my usual confident self but when I met the other volunteers I soon quietened down after meeting the three Germans, as they are near perfect in French and English. This did in fact make me want to leave after only 2 days because I was to work with 2 older French chaps that could not (and still cannot!) speak a word of English. After the first day we developed a way of communicating, mostly hand gestures and free hand drawing, so the nerves went away and I have worked to my utmost capability every day since while also learning the language as I go.

Le Rocheton is an amazing place with so many great people, from the big cats in the “Bureau” to the trainee chefs in the kitchen; everybody has been extremely helpful and patient with me. Even though it is not anything like my youth club back home in Bolton, Le Rocheton definitely still has that YMCA feel that makes you, and anybody else, feel welcome and comfortable.

When the World Challenge was at le Rocheton we managed to get over 200 hundred people to come and shoot baskets, ride ponies, attend conferences and even drink a bit of champers! It was just a shame this mini-festival was dampened, literally, by the appalling weather. It was truly a privilege to by apart of it.

I have only been here 7 weeks but I have met so many new people, visited beautiful places and learnt valuable new skills. Another 45 weeks left, I cannot think of anything better. France, come at me bro!

English Tea Party in Istanbul?

There is a shared feeling in the global link network and indeed across the movement that a common perception of representing your country on International duty can often be ‘ it’s a jolly’ by jealous or uninformed people, this actually offends us as the GLYN (global link youth network) and let me tell you the readers of this blog; 7:30am starts followed by a boat trip, when I am sea sick and fish for dinner, when I don’t eat fish is about the furthest I could get from a jolly!

To not double up on information the English contingent have divided the days of this conference between us and if you would allow me to comment on the Turkish evening, I would be most grateful. The common tourist attitude to the Turkish Culture is that the men hang around outside shops trying to entice the women, while the women dress in burka’s and are completely covered. During our evening meal we were treated to a taste of Eastern entertainment, there was the ‘whirling Derbyshire’s’ which were four Turkish men praying and while in a trance they span around with such grace and beauty for such a long time… it was breath taking, we then had a belly dancer and what struck me was this total reverse in roles for the genders. The men were dressed in smart white robes which fanned out while they span and the girl wore very little and was a complete contrast from the women in the street. Then what followed can only be described as breath-taking as Juan followed by the participants all took to the dance floor and we were treated to an alternative but explosive different style by Dorina form Kosovo and Vicktor from Macedonia. This was a very special evening indeed and I felt very privileged to see behind the curtain and look deeper at the culture of this country.

Rachel has already mentioned the change assessment, so I cannot really add anything rather than the fact this long training ended with much pride and joy as teams created their own evaluation questions which were used in the conclusion this morning. I would like to add that when we talk about impact, this cannot be measured until some considerable time has passed after the event, with this in mind I can see the impact from the peace seminar last July in Prague with 7 young leaders attending this training and showing a hunger and desire for the YMCA’s peace work programme…this is really special.

Just to try and explain a little about the conference venue, we are using the old YMCA Turkey building which needs much love and attention but has a certain historical and unique quality to it, the hotel is around 10 minutes away and offers very little social space, Basti from Germany showed great leadership by arranging a games night on the final evening, although many people chose to not attend around 12 of us went and shared games and fun together giving us this close conference feel and a chance to bond which had been missing. I have to be completely honest with you, some music was played as the participants danced but the last thing I expected to see was around 7 young ladies from the Nederland’s all the way to Turkey all dancing and singing to the spice girls! Certainly proud to be British here but felt a little surreal….
Now as I mentioned the lack of space was an issue however…. The last thing I imagined would happen at this conference was an English Tea party in the street of Istanbul…. Yes readers you read that right!!!

                  …. AN ENGLISH TEA PARTY IN THE STREETS OF ISTANBUL!!!

I’m not quite sure if I am qualified to speak on behalf of the queen, but this morning I thanked this special group of people for participating in this one off event… if this is not where West meets East then I don’t know what is! As I mentioned I brought a teapot, Rachel brought teabags and Frah brought some shortbread biscuits. It’s hard to describe how it all happened… however Rachel catered for everyone making them tea and there was much debate over adding milk or not. Let me tell you this people from England, Russia, Kosovo, Serbia, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic, Armenia, Turkey, and Georgia sat drinking tea in the streets of Istanbul and it was a very special, unifying moment!

Lastly I would like to comment on the change agents; in my last blog I briefly spoke about my challenge to Johan and left you the readers to make your own mind up on who should be a change agent and how they should be picked. Well after letting this marinade for a few days in my mind the simple response is…  “We are all change agents” young or old, experienced or new, we are all working for the common good of our movement. The world challenge and this conference have shown me that people are willing to take ownership and unite for what we stand for, what we have been doing throughout history and what we are still doing to this day! For any younger folk reading this blog, don’t get too hung up on whether you are a recognised change agent or not and remember its local people who have a global impact, we need everyone to wake this giant!

This really has been a culture shock and a learning curve for me, supported by friends and surrounded with a variety of experience, expertise and passion. For me this was where East meets West but the truth is "together we are YMCA!"

 

Do Not Harm - On behalf of Farah!

I feel honoured and privileged to be part of such an extraordinary conference that has the potential to inspire the world and bring Change and Hope.

In day 2 we have done a workshop on 'DO NO HARM methodology'
Our imagination was stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there.

If I share my understanding of “do no harm” principle not only suggests that anthropological work be consciously shaped (“intend no harm”) – it suggests that the act of doing generates a set of social obligations (to track and recognize outcomes, to own up to harm, to do further work to remedy).

todays workshop was a very inspiring peace that offered a very valuable lesson which we will take back with us to our YMCA and the work we do.

Stay Tuned

Where East has definatly met West!

Hey All,

Firstly, let me express how privileged I feel to be here at the Catch the Vision Conference  in Istanbul, not only to experience the amazing city, and culture that comes with it; and not only the amazing and inspirational people (participants and facilitators) here from all over the world who are united by the extraordinary and unique work that impacts so many lives in the YMCA, and the worldwide movement… but also and equally as importantly, the wonderful and educational content of the conference that has already overwhelmed and inspired me the past few days!

The most intriguing part for me so far has been the study of Youth Empowerment , with the never-ending positives and influences that has made me realise there is still so much to learn and use in my work at my local YMCA.

Not only have I learned so much through sharing best practices with participants worldwide, but I have also learnt through exploring initiatives such as the Change Agent programme, and the Space, Transformation and Impact diagram in aid to wake the ‘Sleeping Giant’ which is the worldwide YMCA movement, and anticipate the extraordinary ways of doing this and making the world’s general knowledge of the YMCA more than just a song.

 

 

I would like to briefly comment on the inspirational work done in Africa, which makes you appreciate all the negatives in Young People’s lives, and how these can be changed even in the most extreme of cases. With the extreme cases in Africa, it is marvellous to see that through the S2C programme, (Subject to Citizen) young people’s natural but unfortunate and old-fashioned views can not only be influenced but vastly improved.  Seeing the severe and detrimental effect on African women and men, it is again inspiring to see people like Gil Harper and the S2C Programme transforming lives hugely, and actually giving human life a value. As well as this the empowering of young people to successfully carry on this work, not only is improving Africa, but also is leading on to improve the whole world by inspiring the Change Agents initiative.

After having talks and presentations from the likes of YMCA World Alliance CEO Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, and the YMCA Turkey Board Chair who had once worked with Martin Luther King, it makes you realise how big our voice can be, and how important constant new ideas are part of the improvement of not only the world movement, but also on a local level.

It has been an overwhelming and inspirational experience so far, absorbing practices from the wisest of people in the YMCA, and has left me itching to start using these in my work at home, but also to be a part of this on a global level.

So with so much to say and so little time, I will finish here for now, however watch this space to see a more cultural outlook of the conference and how it is possible to have three attempts of walking to Asia;)

For more info on anything I have learned so far, please contact me, as I would be most happy to share these experiences with you in more detail.

#IHaveWalkedToAsia… Well off the boat anyway…

 

 

The end is only the beginning...

Well, it has been a long (sometimes feeling never ending) week. I am exhausted, the days have been long with a lot of content to get in. Have I enjoyed myself? Yes, very much so! Would I change anything? Possibly, but despite these little things, the planning team and facilitators have done an amazing job in complicated and difficult circumstances.

Sticking to the theme of change, it seems right to start talking about today's session; change assessment. This to me looked very interesting on the programme and despite the lack of energy, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I can see how some of the theories can be put into practice as well as some of the thought provoking concepts. Bruce started with a extremely good but provocative question; how do you know when good practice is good? I found this very interesting working a project that is always working for good practice it was difficult to answer! Can you? Change assessment is basically what it says on the tin: looking at ways of evaluating change. Were all the ways we talked about good? Personally, I think it very much depends on the context you are working. Some I will find really useful, some not so but then others may disagree with me. This is the great thing about working with people; we are not all the same and should embrace the diversity within groups. This is one amazing thing I have learnt about the YMCA Europe movement:. We may all be one continent but we all have a very diverse and interesting reality, within the YMCA and as countries. These experiences not only give you learning from the facilitators but from each other as well.

On reflection of today's feedback, we are treated as equals to all the people high up in the organisation, from conversations to dancing to traditional Turkish music. When will I know the impact of this seminar, who knows. I guess I will have to wait and see. Yet another great thing about the YMCA.

Who knows what next for the group here, will we Catch the Vision? Will we run with it? Will we change the world? Who knows, only time will tell.

I would like end with a quote we had today from Socrates; "The unexamined life is not worth listening." many discussions with a group of inspiring people from right at the very top of the organisation downtown the workers and non paid staff of local YMCAs.

East meets West!

My humble return to the blog after a year and a half, what a roller coaster!!!  My last blog took place at the peace work conference in Prague, and now I write to you live from Istanbul where East meets West!
Had someone told me that after someone stole my seat at the English National conference in 2011…that this would lead me to speaking with and asking the head of the world alliance questions in Istanbul I would have never believed it, but my friends I have done this! I’m living breathing evidence that the impact model works and I am indebted to those who have provided me that space so that I can transform myself and others and hopefully impact our movement somehow.

We are fresh off the world challenge and as the day finished in England I was still searching for a teapot to bring to Istanbul with me, after a long trip and a dash across London (something every northerner fears!) we arrived in Istanbul. I have been lucky enough to have represented England on a few occasions but I still had a culture shock, the fear of not knowing where you are or being unable to communicate well enough is frightening but at the same time exciting! I must confess as we arrived at the hotel and I took a glance at the Asian toilet I was struck with sheer panic! This really is where EAST meets WEST! Then there was the powdered milk along with trams and cars that can get very very close to you! There is something about being able to buy freshly squeezed juice for couple of lira on the street from a local vender that really puts into perspective how life works here.

What I always love about YMCA, and doesn’t matter if it’s on a local, national or international level is that it’s always like coming ‘home’ literally the entire conference met on the front street and there was hugs and handshakes… seeing old friends from countries far and wide and meeting new people, it’s just so inspiring.
Gerard and Johan led a session on the change agents, as we looked through the history of our sleeping giant, I felt privileged that plans and ideas were being discussed, I felt incredibly proud that the top man in our movement would thank me for my comment or contribution. There was some work done in our home groups about the roles and 'what is the change?' that agents should be making. A difficulty in my own home group was that we were so diverse and all came from different backgrounds and levels that everything was discussed from young trustees to visible young participation to waking up the giant! A difficult and at times daunting task… my own challenge to Johan was how was’ how do we choose these change agents?’ is someone wanting to be one enough? should leaders throughout Europe choose? or should we the youth nominate our peers or people who inspire us?… I will let you the readers make your own mind up on an answer. The one thing that was loud and clear from my home group was the need to ‘blend’ or ‘fuse’ together the experience of the older folk with the passion and belief of the younger guys.

We also had presentations from Africa on the subject to citizen project, from Canada on their work within the community and from YES about their changes and vision.

An inspiring and diverse day… this was topped off with the fact that at dinner I sat with friends from Kosovo, Holland, Russia, Iceland, Armenia, and Turkey just to name a few…. Inspired, challenged, excited… the world challenge may not have woke the giant completely but surely it’s a matter of time before he stops pressing the snooze button on the alarm clock!!!
Adi

Do no harm

We are on the second full day of work and there have been some heavy days and discussions, all very relevant and interesting! Today has been a day about looking at the Do No Harm matrix. You may ask what this is? It sounds complicated I thought, it is really not. Put really basically it is model to use in planning and evaluating any project. This project can be aid on an international level or local level, it has to be based in the realities of the community that the project is based in. This is a new tool that can be added to the tool box of ways to examine the way a project is set up to ensure that no harm is done. There is no such thing as a perfect project but this is a way to try and minimise the negative affects of any given project. There are a lot of resources online for this and there would be a lot to try and put all the information into one blog (especially when we have to deliver training on it when we return). What can I say about it? I have found it very interesting and will look forward to attempting to apply it to my project, where are the dividers? Where are the connectors? Are they balanced (a key part to the Do No Harm matrix)? It has been an interesting day, that I can say with certainty.

To end on a separate note, if you had asked me two and a bit years a go, when I joined the YMCA movement if I thought I would believe so passionately about the work it does globally, if I would have lunch with the head of YMCA Europe or if I would have the extreme privileged of listening to Juan (head of YMCA Europe) and the head of the global movement (World Alliance of the YMCA) I would have responded with, you must be joking. I work in a local community. This week I have had the privilege of this and many many more inspirational people from all over Europe and the world. The reason for my passion...well why not when you work for an organisation as big and awesome as the YMCA?

Stay tuned for more from Istanbul and the YMCA England delegates...

Where East Meets West, Istanbul

Well after a LONG and eventful journey, the English guys have all safely arrived in Istanbul. First night in the first hotel and I, can't speak for the others, am very excited for the week ahead. It's going to be a busy week but I am very much looking forward to it.

Stay tuned for the exciting stuff is yet to come!

Gaining insight into youth politics at the Summer University of the Council of Europe

by Marisa Vögele

I felt honoured to get the opportunity representing YMCA Europe at the Summer University organised by the Council of Europe (which is different from the European Union). On request of the other representative Ger­ard Tos­serams (YMCA Europe) two persons of the YMCA could take part in the conference.

This opportunity gave me the chance to meet representatives of different European youth organisations, as well as representatives of different ministries responsible for youth from the respective European countries.

The programme consisted of a great variety of activities. At the first day I got an induction into the work of the Council of Europe. The other days we learnt about Georgia and its policy regarding youth and Europe, while we visited different ministries and NGOs. In addition, we discussed the upcoming conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (23.-25.09) in St.Petersburg. I found it especially interesting when we touched upon the new Combating Hate Speech online campaign and started collecting ideas.

All in all the most important thing I took away from the summer university is the impression and understanding how important it is that NGOs, like the YMCA, are represented on political level. Many of the people that take decisions directly affecting young people's lives have never engaged with youth work, nor do they have access to the reality of young people.

So people of the YMCA - interfere and get involved!