Cambodia!

After arriving in Hong Kong two weeks ago I havent actually spent much time here. From 23rd November to the 30th I was in Phnom Penh attending the Global Alternative Tourism forum. Also attending were many people from different places across Asia, and other countries with YMCA's that have a part in launching the project. The primary reason for this was to discuss what we hope to archive from Global Alternative Tourism, its structure and how we plan on getting it started. Im sure many readers would like me to go into more detail on Global Alternative Tourism but I think I will go into detail in a later post. Might be a decent way to keep my readers tuned in :)

Now about Cambodia, what can I say. The country is beautiful and the people are very polite and very welcoming, there was never and uncomfortable moment while being in their company. I am definitely going to visit again in the near future and look forward to hopefully working with them. The food needed some getting used to though, but after your 2nd/3rd upset stomach I would say mine was Cambodian proof.

Unfortunately the majority of my time spent in Cambodia was in the hotel photographing conferences, but the occasional free moment I had was spent exploring the Phnom Penh. Using a the very affordable "tuk tuk" to enjoy the sights and get around, $2 can get you quite far.

During my stay, we (the forum participants) did enjoy a pleasant visit to a small village to experience what Cambodia has to offer on community based tourism. This involved a light walk up a hill to view two waterfall. Unfortunately not all of the participants made it to the second waterfall but still a very nice experience nonetheless.

Above is the view from a tuk tuk, will probably miss those most.

Also is a picture of the waterfall at the community based tourism visit.

Now arriving back in Hong Kong I have alot to knuckle down and do as most of the ideas that were put forward involved the website which I manage.

I will try to keep you all updated on the how things are going shortly...

The Beginning...

Morning all,

I'm Lewis Semper the Support Services Officer from the Romford YMCA. Recently I was chosen for a Young Professional position based in Hong Kong. Today at approximately 6.05pm is when my flight to humid Hong Kong departs. I'm quite excited about this opportunity but also a little scared. Although it's not my first visit to Hong Kong, this is much more than a 10 day business trip as I will be based there for 12 months while travelling to several locations in Asia. While in these locations I will be working closely with Jose Varghese (Executive Secretary of APAY) in organising and promoting Global Alternative Tourism.

I'm not entirely sure exactly what I should be expecting, I think we would all enjoy a limousine ride from the airport to a 5 star hotel but it might be best to start small. I'm going to go in with an open mind, and try to embrase this amazing opportunity as best I can, which summarises all of the helpful advice loved ones gave. Not that I couldn't have came to that conclusion independently, still I'm extremely grateful for all of the love and support particularly from my home YMCA. On my first visit the locals were very kind and helpful, I loved the food and the whether was a refreshing change so I think I'm off to a good start. I should be blogging every other week so be sure to keep your eyes open for the middle and end.

I would like to thank John Norely, Ken Montgomery, Dave Ball, Kerry Jones and Sidney Slaney for all of their guidance, support and help down to the final day.

Hong Kong here I come!

Beyond Berlin 2011

It's over. A four day intensive course on Europe, half a day or so exploring the city at leisure, and i was on my way home.

As with most subjects, having now gained a fuller understanding of the issues involved, the picture has gotten anything but clearer. We've learned about the EU, The CoE, YFJ, The CDEJ, and a long list of other subjects with untold combinations of letters for names. Unlike a lot of other subjects however, now I know more about EU Youth Politics, I feel I need to actually do more; especially because, we within the YMCA really do have the capability. From allowing our young people to access grate scemes, such as the European Volunteer Service, to implementing participatory models like that of structurd dialogue, it can be done. Crucially, to those completing work like we do in my local YMCA, it can be done, whilst actually strengthening our position.

I'll not ramble on about the details of the seminar any longer, for fear of alienating you from what is a really interesting topic. What i will do however, is urge you to find out a little about who's representing you in your National Youth Forum, or Youth Parliament, or if you're really interested in youth representation, in the European Youth Forum (YFJ). Many of us have meetings, forums, and consultations taking place on a local level. If we collectively dare, sharing a bit of information with these brilliant young people might allow us to contribute on levels we often fail to give any consideration, and help us together achieve some amazing things. Berlin in this sense, has always and will always been about what happens beyond it, about how we choose to contribute, once we know the methods out there.

I thought as a final part of my entry, I'd leave you with just one more photo I snapped. In a city as historical, and as awe inspiring as Berlin Berlin, it's impossible not to come into the contact with the legacy of human action, and inaction; both have led to misery and the destruction of lives at some point in its both beautiful and tortured history. For the members of a fellowship as old, vast, and diverse as the YMCA, exactly whose responsibility it is to act is not always clear when we meet challenges outside of our normal responsibilities. Our continued positive impact however, requires that we all contribute however possible, whenever the opportunity arises. We at the conference committed ourselves to pushing for decision makers to actively consider young people when forming policy that affects them. These are the faces of some of the people from the 13 national movements that took part and made that commitment. I hope upon seeing the faces of strangers joined despite difference for the good of their fellows, you will also commit to helping the people that matter get their voice heard, where it matters.