Soul in the YMCA Machine?

My perspective on World Council 2018 is perhaps a little different to most.

My main focus in attending the World Council has been to promote and encourage as many of the delegates as possible to view the play 'Soul in the Machine', a project that has lived with me for more than three years.

The play tells the story of Sir George Williams and the beginnings of YMCA.

As I reflect on the 3 years of developing this project, I can't quite believe that what started off as way unpacking our history for the team working at YMCA Humber has now found its way to Chiang Mai!?

That being said...whilst spending most of my time this week on the exhibition stand it is clear to see that this story is one that wants to be heard.

Conversations with Change Agents, Officers, Managers, Directors, Trustees and Presidents have highlighted just how rich  is in the 89 nations present, each YMCA demonstrating cultural and locally relevant services and programmes each with life transforming potential.

Such diversity and long standing unity across the world could not be maintained without a firm foundation and the interest in understanding how this was laid has great.

I write this blog during the first of six screenings, tonight showing in English, German and Korean, and tomorrow in Spanish, Japanese and a second screening in English making our story available to a greater audience whilst we are all gathered together.

If you want to know more about the play follow it on Twitter or Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/YMCASoul

https://twitter.com/YMCASoul

The council has focussed greatly on youth empowerment, and certainly with young people front and centre at this conference there has been a vibrancy I've never experienced within YMCA before.

How apt, that 175 years after 12 young men began this movement, we as YMCA are placing young people at the heart of the planning and delivery of our World Council.

I hope that this is just the start of YMCA genuinely allowing Young Men and Women to lead us within YMCA.

I best get back to the film...