An Un-passable Opportunity

15 months ago I was a relative newcomer to the YMCA. I started volunteering in my local Y the year before (North Down YMCA http://www.northdownymca.org) and had coincidentally ended up in a YMCA in America for a 10 week uni placement (Rockford YMCA http://www.rockfordymca.org).  It was then that Stephen Turner, the National Secretary of YMCA Ireland, suggested I apply for the ILP programme.

I wasn’t 100% sure what I was signing up for but from my few years experience I knew that the YMCA had a commitment to and a rich tradition of international youth work, a commitment that sets it apart from other youth organisations. As someone who is passionate about youth work and loves to travel and learn from other cultures, the opportunity to be part of a YMCA International Leadership Programme was a very appealing opportunity and one I did not pass up on.

So 15 months down the line, what have I experienced? What have I learned?

Being part of this group and getting to know leaders from the other 3 national movements has been great and has been a forum for us to question and debate what the YMCA is all about and how we can make the most of international opportunities.

Last year we attended the European Assembly in Prague and I was part of the YES group. Ken and others could talk endlessly about the role and function of these meetings but nothing compares to experiencing something for yourself. I would be lying if I said I understand fully the workings of YMCA Europe, but compared to 15months ago, I now know it exists, I now see the value of overarching priorities that European national movements agree with and commit to, I now know the encouragement that comes from making friends with people from all over Europe, united by the shared vision of the YMCA, I now know that I can influence the future direction of our organization at a National and European level.

I’ve learned more about the structures of the YMCA and now sit as a trustee on the board of YMCA Ireland. I’m still learning about how Local, National, European and World all connect. I’m keen to use my learning and opportunities I get through ILP to benefit my national and indeed my local YMCA. Just this weekend I’ve learned that this kind of benefit need only start with a conversation and sharing of experience with young people in my local YM to generate an excitement and enthusiasm of what possibilities exist, something I need to get better at!

Andy

Dillon again having an awesome in time Ireland. The day start off with meeting up with Andy at Nero. Which i will never go to again because off what happened. After there we went to the prison for a tour which was awesome we had a look at all the different cell blocks and what the prison was like in the past. Thething I liked the best at the prison was the secret door in the cell that was cool. I also enjoyed the history talk on the prison and learn about the different prisons that where there. I couldn;t stop laughing at the fact that someone filled a JCB with Semtex (LOL). I then got my picture taken in the stocks which looks awesome. After the prison we went to the City Hall which looked amazing for the inside and outside. The tour of the City Hall was very interesting and learned a lot about the buildings past. I got my picture taken in the Mayors chair woop we also had a look round the chambers. There where loads of interesting paintings that I liked. The city bus tour was well awesome we went around all the different tourist places. I was shocked because one of my Favorited TV shows was set there it is called Game of thrones. The best part of the day for me was going to North Down ymca and talking to there young leaders about how long they have been going to the ymca and what they like about and what they don't like about it. This was the best part of the because I have never seen so many young leaders work as good as they where at North Down (you guys where awesome). I also liked the fact that two members went out and try to get Kids to come to the ymca instead of drinking on the cold streets.

This is a very small and basic blog but i am very tired and don't know what else to say but a huge thanks to eveyone that helped and eveyone that we went to see cheers for having us.

Dillon Hall
Northumberland YMCA

Hello again, Alex here, today was day 2 of our visit to Northern Ireland and also our last real day here =[. We started the day with a tour of the Crumlin Road Gaol (jail) which is a closed prison in Belfast. It was open from 1845-1996. The tour was really interesting and I learnt a lot about the history of Northern Ireland whilst learning about the many prisoners that have lived and died in the prison. It was shocking to find out that the last person to be executed in the prison was as late as 1961. It also put into perspective the extent of the troubles in Northern Ireland when explaining why the prison was closed due to in mates from different political backgrounds causing harm and even killing each other. 

(Below are pictures of us all in the tunnel between the court house and the prison, as well as a picture of us all in front of the governor's quarter) 

The second part of the day was a tour of Belfast City Hall, this was really interesting and we learnt all about the history of the City and the history of the City Hall and its inhabitants over the years. (Probably could find a better word?) When we left the City Hall we saw a peaceful protest outside.

(Below are pictures of us all in the City Hall and then one of me sat in the Mayor's chair)

The third part of our day was a city bus tour it was really interesting to see Belfast and hear about it's history, I learnt a lot and it also put into context much of the work the YMCA is doing here in Northern Ireland.

After the bus tour we headed to the North Down YMCA info point and drop in centre based in a shopping centre in Bangor. I got to speak to some of the young people who use this service which was really interesting.They were all so keen to talk to me about their experience of the YMCA and also about how they feel the service is often not used to it's full potential due to the location and the reasons the young people go there. This made me think about the provision we provide back at my YMCA and made me think back to yesterday and the research interns looking at how me measure the outcomes of the services we provide.

The final part of our day was a visit to North Down YMCA it's self in which we visited the Saturday Night Project. This is probably the YMCA who's work and layout is the closest to mine back home. They also have a young leaders program much like the one that takes place in my YMCA and talking to some of the young people involved in this program was a really cool experience. It was great to see how young people just like the ones I work with get on with things in their YMCA and also see that they have the similar opinions and experiences to the young people back home. The young leaders were great and we had some really interesting conversations about their views on their YMCA as well as their opinions on some of the current/historical issues within Northern Ireland. It was great to see young people so enthused about their YMCA and the work they are doing. I also met Furg (I'm pretty sure he has a real name but I'm not too sure what it is...sorry =/) His story was really inspiring as he got involved with the YMCA as a young person with an "interesting" background and hobbies. He then came through the clubs in the YMCA leading to volunteering and paid full/part time work at various points in his life. It was also really inspirational to hear how he has stepped up to the mark when he was needed and is now looking after the club in a time of change for their YMCA. He has a really great relationship with his young people and it was good to see how he works with them in such an informal but effective way, what I would class as a real home grown, ground work style worker. I hope to stay in touch with the YMCA and maybe look at some future links?

I just want to finish this post by saying a MASSIVE thank you to Andy and Martine for hosting us this week end and for enabling us to have such an amazing experience. I don't know if they will read this but also a huge thank you to Andy's amazing friends who have taxied us around all weekend. I really hope this isn't the end of my experiences with in Northern Ireland!!

Alex Taylor

Barnsley YMCA

(using Rachel's account again)

A Silent Saturday Night?!?

Hey, Chelsea again :) sorry to drag you away from your lives to read my second blog on my time in Northern Ireland. Enjoy!

The day started with a nice calm coffee in the nearby cafe. Dillon and Andy were both acausted by what could only be described as a drunken elderly Cougar.
This then led onto a tour of the Crumlin Road Goal in Belfast. not only was the trip knowledgeable but also gave our imaginations to what belfast could of looked like and the things which had gone on. The trip was useful to know about when certain events stoped, i.e. the death penalty/hanging people and what had escalated from the hangings, i.e. the suicide of a young boy stopped allowing the young into adult jails.
We then went on  tour of the city hall. My first thought of this was "oooh dear!!" however there were no problems while we were visiting city hall. The tour had given me a bigger understand on Northern Ireland politically but also the events which happened within the hall and the halls they have to offer.
After a quick meal at Subway we then rushed onto a city bus tour, which had taken us all the way around belfast, mainly concentrating on the expensive places, i.e. anything to do with the titanic. however on the tour i had also saw the peace wall and all the inspirational quotes written along the wall, i can sadly say this brought a tear to my face.
We then went on to visit our final YMCA for the weekend. North Down has two different spaces, one located within a shopping mall is created to try to stop the ruckus within the malls and to give the young people a place to stay at for a while. after this space has closed the bigger more open space is opened for the night. a three story house with four different rooms for different activities. they do not have as many activities as they would like, however most the problems found for this was the building it would not be the correct layout for certain groups and activities. however it was shown throughout the amount of young leaders wanting to help out to show how well the current workers are with the young, shaping them into the new generation of youth workers.
  In addition to this the ride to the hotel room has to be blogged about. One of Andys friends had kindly offered to pick us up from the YMCA and drive us back. Not only was he being helpful but he was also a laugh to be with! it was joke after joke, Steven or Stephen was a good accomplice.
Overall my visit has been a life changing event and i cannot wait to come back and help out with the same YMCA's i have visited and MORE.

I WILL be Back

Crumlin Road Goal

Crumlin Road Goal

City Hall, Mayors Seat

City Hall

City Hall

Crumlin Road Goal

Chelsea Taylor

North Tyneside YMCA

posting on Rachel's due to account not working.  

Day 3 Northan Ireland

Day 3- Today we started off 10 o'clock by meeting Martine at the days hotel and then walked down to meet Andy at Cafe Nero, which was a funny morning for Andy and Dillon as a woman approached them haha, she was pretty strange for us she seemed to have been out all night and came straight to the coffee shop the next morning so you can imagine what she would be like haha. after we met up we had a coffee and started planning on what we were going to do today. So as it got to 11 o'clock we headed off to do the Crumlin Road Gaol which was very interesting in ways and good in information. The jail dates back to 1845 to 1996 we got plenty pictures of this place as we can show you in this blog. after that it was hitting on to half 12 we went to grab a bite at subway and then discussed what we were going to do next, we went to visit the City Center Hall which was interesting with the protest on the flags being put round. and a tour around the whole hall which was amazing so many stories of how it got bombed and burnt down and then built again and all the mayors of the past and present, As i say we have plenty other photos of the tours we did today so you will have a chance to see them at the end of this blog. After we had done them two tours it was time to head onto the City sites tour which we learnt lots about the peace walls there was a multiple selection of them it was brilliant and very exotic. And we seen plenty views about the Titanic and where the Titanic was based. After we had been through all the tours we headed off to North Down YMCA where Andy works, just before that we went for something to eat at this small restaurant which was lovely small place nice and quite, then we decided to head off the YMCA and see what was different about the northumberland YMCA and get a chance to talk to the young Volunteers like ourselves, they had tones to say i was surprised to hear on how many young volunteers weren't at all fussed about the protests on the flags and didn't really bother them. afterwards we got a chance to have a look round this YMCA and ask these Volunteers on how they got involved and if they enjoyed it and all them said yes of course they enjoyed it and this opportunity had changed there lives, because most kids if they don't go into the YMCA they would sit next to the little peer and just drink and do nothing hanging round on the streets. so after all we headed back to the Hotel and talked about what our highlights of the day was and what we learnt.

Hannah Elliott :)

The Visit to Ireland happening now

I thought I would give you a bit of background on the group of young people from England visiting the YMCA in Ireland this week-end.
They are young volunteers in their own YMCA's and range in age from 16 to 19. Dillon Hall and Hannah Elliot come from Northumberland YMCA, Chelsea Taylor comes from North Tyneside YMCA and Alec Taylor from Barnsley YMCA. Dillon, Hannah and Chelses are pursuing their Citizenship Award being facilitated by Alex. The youth worker with the group is Rachel Dyne from Tees Valley YMCA. Rachel is one of the growing leadership stars of the YMCA having engaged in Peacework initiatives in Bangladesh, India and Turkey alongside other seminars and workshops across Europe. Here day job with the YMCA is working with young carers.

Hannah, Dillon, Chelsea and Allex raised the money to fund themselves as well Rachel to go on the study visit.

Their hosts in Ireland are Andy Hamilton from North Down YMCA, Martine Mc Garry from Lisburn YMCA and Darryn Causby from YMCA Ireland, all in their early 20's and members of the YMCA's International Leadership Programme in Ireland, Wales and England.

As many of you will know this is YMCA England's blog that seeks to capture the experiences, in real time, of young people who engage in YMCA England's International programmes.

If you are reading this you are not alone. It is currently 10.00am Saturday here in England, today so far the blog has had 173 viewers from the UK, USA,Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, China, Spain, France and Nigeria.

Looking forward to hearing how todays programme goes.

Northern Ireland: It's not all about throwing petrol bombs!

Well, I won't go on about what has happened here as the guys have done a brilliant job at that. A couple of thoughts after yesterday. I have been to Northern Ireland many a time so know the difference between what is portrayed in the news and what it is actually like over here but I was struck by how much work the YMCA is doing in terms of Conflict resolution and reconciliation, and not just at a political level where a lot of people think it matters, but at the community level where it can actually make a difference to the lives of young people. Stephen Turner, the NGS of YMCA Ireland is tasked with, in my opinion, a difficult job. Running a national movement across 2 countries who have a violent past together. From conversations with Stephen, Geraldine and Sian (Belfast YMCA), Kenny and Brendan (Greenhill YMCA) the work that is being done, will make a difference and is making a difference every day they open their doors. These guys know what they are doing and are doing it well. I was also struck by how well Lisburn YMCA is delivering drop in youth clubs but is addressing needs of the young people that attend. One man was there with the young boy he supports who has ADHD and Autism, this gentleman, John, was telling me how much of a difference the YMCA has made to this young boys life and how he looks forward to a Friday evening to see his friends. Young people never fail to amaze me, how they learn discrimination and stereotypes but are prepared to unlearn these in order to make friends. At Lisburn YMCA, as with all the other YMCAs we have visited, Protestant and Catholic Young People learn to live in peace with each other. It is these young people that will change the world, one day...

This trip has answered many questions I have carried with me since I learnt how big the YMCA is. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who looked after us yesterday and took time out of their no doubt hectic schedules to talk to us. Thanks to Martine and Andy for organising such a wonderful day. I have to say; Alex, Chelsea, Hannah and Dillon are setting the bar high for future young volunteers.

From Dillon Hall

Hello its Dillon here I am not very good at writing and spelling so here I go. We safely land on Thursday at the Belfast International airport. We then meet Andy and a couple of his friends who give us a lift to the hotel. The drive to the hotel was well funny and I had a good time talking to Andy's friends, we then stopped at Tesco for some supplies, the only thing I bought was skittles and Dr Pepper. Today we went to the Belfast YMCA with Steven and Andy. When we where at the YMCA in Belfast we learned about to two real good programs that where run there, one was youth in government and the other was friends forever. They both seen like really good and I would love to do some thing like that in Northumberland YMCA. After that we went to Green Hill YMCA which to me was awesome I loved that they had volunteers from across the world come to this YMCA. We meet Joe and Sarah, they where both really cool and would love to find away to stay in contact with them if possible. They showed use around the building and ask many questions which we answered. After that we had a talk with the director and Steven about Green Hill and what they do there. After the talk with Steven and Kenny we thought instead of going to have a look around the town that we would stay and do a couple of actives with Sarah and Joe. The first activity was zip lining which at the startIi was bricking it but after the first time going down I loved it in the end I went on it three times, I loved it. The second activity was archery witch I can say I got a little competitive at, but my team won both times and I finally got a bulls eye so happy. At about six Stephen took us out for a lovely meal which I enjoyed very much thanks Steven :). After that we went to Lisburn YMCA where we meet loads of young people and volunteers. We are seeing the difference between the different YMCA I enjoyed talking to the young people and ask their views on their YMCA and what they would like to change about it,most of them said they would like to change the size of their building. I really enjoyed the whole day and I can't thank every one that help out the day enough.

And a big thanks to Ken for bringing us together as a group.:)



There we go this my first blog from Dillon hall, Northumberland Ymca usingRachael's account.

Northern Ireland Experience day 1 "YMCA, from young to slightly older ;)"

OK so this is my first blog, I hope it doesn't bore you all too much. Today we met Stephen Turner (Irish General Secretary) and visited 3 different YMCA's with him, all in different parts of the country. The first being Belfast YMCA where we met some research interns looking at how YMCA Ireland can measure it's outcomes and the benefits it has on communities. This work was really interesting and I cant wait for Stephen  to send me some of their research and see how we might be able to collate some evidence back home in my YMCA (Barnsley.) We then met Geraldine and Sian (sorry if I've spelt this wrong) who are responsible for the Youth Work programs ran at Belfast YMCA. It was interesting to see the kind of work that the YMCA engage young people in as the majority of their provision is targeted work due to most of their young people living away from the YMCA. They have some really interesting and inspiring programs that have clearly inspired many young people (Friends Forever and Youth in Governance.) We also met two of the workers from their gym who had some really interesting things to say about the vibes and ethos of the YMCA and how that is relayed into their work with gym members, with people often coming back to them due to their relaxed, positive and accepting style of working.
We then went to Greenhill YMCA which is an outdoor centre. There we met Kenny and Brendan who are both staff there working on reconciliation projects with both young people and adults. We got chance to have a good chat with them about their work and the issues they face on a day to day basis as well as some of their own personal views and experiences.We also met Joe and Sarah who are international volunteers from Germany and Canada. It was awesome to hear what they are doing and it was so inspirational to see people dedicate such a long period of time to their volunteering especially when they are so far away from their families. We had a good chat with them and then we had some free time so we got to go on the zip line and do some archery which was all a good "craic". We were all very grateful to them for giving up their time to entertain us!
Our final stop for the night was the drop in club at Lisbon YMCA, this was a fantastic experience and one that is the closest to my YMCA so far. I got to meet Lynn (again sorry if I've spelt this wrong) and all the rest of the staff and volunteers working there and see the passion they have for the work they do. They have a fantastic team there who all firmly believe in what they are doing. I met some awesome young people too and had some really good conversations about the YMCA both sharing their experiences and letting them know a bit about mine. Definitely some future international young leaders in that group! Really hope some of the young people I work with back home get to share some experiences with them maybe in Prague??
Overall today has been awesome, I've learnt a lot and met some really cool people. I hope to stay in touch and keep sharing our experience of our YMCA's. Bring on day 2!

Night all,
Alex Taylor
Barnsley YMCA
(Using Rachel's account because I don't have my own yet)

Northan Ireland day 1

   day 1- We arrived safely at Belfast international airport met by Andy and a couple of his friends to take us to the hotel, as we finally got the hotel we went through with Rachel and Andy the plan for this weekend and mainly what we were going to do on the Saturday and what our aims were to get out of this trip. Everyone had given there thoughts on what they hoped to get out of this trip, my aim for this trip was to find out what Northan Ireland's YMCA's had different compared to ours in northumberland.

         Day 2- We had all went down for breakfast in the morning for about 8 o'clock, and all met down there once we had had breakfast we went upstairs to finish getting sorted making sure we had everything like our notebooks and pens. After that we all went down to wait for Andy and Steven Turner to appear at the hotel when they came we had set off to Belfast YMCA first to see what they had different and ask them how they got involved and what benefits they got out of it. It was interesting as they had a gym upstairs which is different from northumberland YMCA, once we had finished off at Belfast YMCA we had headed off to Green Hill YMCA which was brilliant it had loads of outdoor activities for loads of children and families that stay there, they also had cabins on the front facing over the sea. we went into the YMCA and Kenny who we met there he had talked through with us what his YMCA does and he got two volunteer's called Sarah and Joe who happily take us round and show us everything in site. afterwards we went back up stairs got something to eat and chatted more. We had a hours break before we went down to Lisburn to grab something to eat at half 6 and during that break the volunteers let us have ago of the outdoor activities, Chelsea, Alex and Dillon had ago of the Zip wire was good fun then afterwards we went onto doing some archery we was brilliant as we had 2 little competitions. So we moved onto going to Lisburn and went for a meal at pizza hut afterwards we went to visit Lisburn YMCA, which was similar to the northumberland YMCA, what amazed me about this is the fact everyone was interacting with each as in our YMCA the groups that would come in, would stay in them groups and talk to each other but people here interact with everyone in there, they are full of answers and friendly to everyone. as we left Lisburn we headed back to the hotel and sat round talking about if we had a good day and what we got out of it.

Well that's pretty much for it today and will be blogging more tomorrow :)


Hannah Elliott.


        

Northern Ireland Day 1

       Well here i am. safely arrived at Belfast international airport. We were picked up by Andy and a couple of his friends who had offered to pick us up and take us to the hotel. After picking Andy's car to travel back in i had sadly learnt that not all men are good with directions, even with a tom tom to help :P After a hour of traveling from the airport we talked about the day a head and what we would like as an outcome of tomorrow and the entire weekend. i wanted to gain more information to be able to help my own YMCA in helping the youth throughout different activities and sessions (AIM for the weekend) i also wanted to be able to widen my knowledge on others who work within the YMCA and gain more knowledge on the different types of YMCA's there are within northern Ireland (Throughout the day).
         The day had started out by going to Belfast YMCA which was a DELIGHT! before the meeting had started we were able to have a small chat with some of the workers in a informal way, which to me is the best way to gain information on not only the person your talking to but also about how they feel about the place of which they are working at. after this we were shown a few videos to do with the different sessions Belfast YMCA hold, i.e. Friends Forever USA and Youth in Government  We were then showed throughout the establishment which had then allowed me to gain more information to help my own YMCA (North Tyneside). This is mainly for the GYM and how the Belfast YMCA workers use the GYM and how they make our GYM better.
          We then went to Greenhill YMCA where MORE information was given about the establishment and the sessions they run (Our heads were FULL with information at this point), which also told us about their program about people coming from around the world to take a Gap year to work with children, which is like Camp America. we were then met by two of the current workers at the YMCA,  Sarah (Or Sara) and Joe (Or Jo) Sorry guys if your reading this and i've still spelt it wrong!! :) who showed us around and let us play on the equipment, Archery and the zip line!
        Then after a nice meal at Pizza Hut with Steven Turner. THANKS!! we went to Lisburn YMCA to contribute to the drop in centre, i can sadly say that i enjoyed my self so much that i did not want to leave :'( from going to the drop in centre I WILL be coming back to help out at the Lisburn YMCA in any way i can! if they will have me.
       Today has been VERY successful in my eyes. i have gained more information on the YMCA's and i have also gained more accomplices. I cant wait for tomorrow to start a new day and gain more information :)  so ill see you then, BYE

Chelsea Taylor
Volunteer
North Tyneside YMCA

Posting on Rachel's account cause i dont have one yet :) 

To inspire

To inspire isto engender a dream and to empower.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012yvfc

One Million Youth Voices

Good morming from the meeting of the YMCA National Leaders meeting in YMCA Dunford House - England.

Wednesday was day two of full day meetings discussing our 'Presence' at this time. There were four main topics of the day. We are embarking on a research project to survey one million young people across the globe. We will target 15 - 24 years olds on issues such as Health, Civic Engagement, employment and environment.A mamouth task but along with us the United Nations and the International Labour Orgamnisation were keen to support us and hear our findings.

The second item was what we call the Prague Festival. This is a music and arts festival engaging some 10,000 young people from the YMCA across the world for a week in August 2013, some excitong plans.

The next item we discussed was the four yearly World Council of the YMCA. The Council meeting is the main Governing boday of the World YMCA which will be held in Estes Park in the the Rockies - Colorado. We are expecting 1500 volunteer and professional leaders to gather in July 2014.

And finally we considered how we can manage to demonstrate to smaller YMCA Movements, how they can feel fully heard, valued and engaged in the wider Global movement.

The day finished with a demonstration of English Wines. A great end to the day.

It is now the beginning of day three, the sun is up, it has been raining overnight and the air is fresh. I can hear the birds singing, I feel they are singing for me! Looking forward to another greta day.

Archbishop Speaks to YMCA World Leaders

Tuesday 12th February Archbishop John Sentamu spoke to some forty YMCA Leaders from across the world. He was speaking on the topic of 'Empowerment as a Christian Mission'. He said that 'justice is the heart of Empowerment'.

He encouraged the listeners to love the outsider and disposessed.By giving a young person the knowledge that they can do - you have won the war!

He said we need to be the change we want to see, he encouraged us to listen on order to understand better.

We were charged to work against Self observed individualism and to strive for Justice and Peace for the young people we serve.

The gathering of the Clan!

Well the sun almost rose before me this morning, but not quite! It is 7.20am and I have been out to prepare the car to pick up a very special guest after breakfast. Please understand the car is not the toy I have recenly acquired.:)

Yesterday was spent, working in tandum with the giant that is one Romulo Dantas from Brazil and currently Executive Secretary for Youth Emowerment at the World Alliance of YMCA's, meeting and greeting people arriving from across the world to consider the strategic direction of the Global YMCA during the next two years and no doubt beyond. They have come from South Korea, Austrailia, India, Bangladesh,Japan, South Africa, Seiria Leone, Togo, Kenya, Gaza, Palastine, Denmark, Sweden, Neitherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Surianame, Peru, Brazil, Argentina,and England. More will come today.

When the sun arose yesterday I was concerned that at 8.00am, just as the first people started to arrive, the snow started. I thought, 'Please No'!, but I didn't need to worry. It was as if nature had conspired to coat the trees and ground with a freshness that created a chocolate box top scene befitting such a special day and enhancing the sense of 'Welcome to England'.

Time for Breakfast, the clan is gathering, there is a fizz in the air, in just over an hour I will pick up of guest speaker for today. The Rev Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York who will speak on the subject of 'Empowerment as a Christian Mission'.

I will seek to share with you how the day progresses!

Welcome to England

It is a damp Sunday morning, 7.30am and I am sitting in the former home of one Richard Cobden, Member of Parliament in the mid 1800's, friend of Prince Albert,now the National Conference and Training Centre of YMCA England.

This is such a wonderful place.

I hear one or two people saying, why are you there then? Well over the next few days I have the pleasure of welcoming the National General Secretaries from around 40 National YMCA Movements from across the Glob, to have discussions on the strategic work of the YMCA Global Movement. The guys from Sweden and the Netherland are here, spending today with some of the worlds most wonderful people discussing and acting of Youth Policy issues across Europe. Later today I will welcome Romulo Dantas, Executive Secretary for Youth Empowerment of the World Alliance of YMCA's and the Narional General Secretaty from Sierra Leone. The rest will arrive tomorrow, Monday. More on what is happening during the week later.