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!

Change Agents!

I'm currently at the aiport waiting for my flight back to London after an interesting meeting in Long Beach. Our main tasks were to finalise the curriculum of the Change Agents and plan the first meeting where all the participants will come together - at the YMCA festival in Prague 2013 - andleading up to the World Council in 2014.

The programme will be an interesting mix of trainings at the local/national, area, and global level, adapted to the Change Agents' respective situations, using as much as possible the existing and planned seminars, trainings and good practices. The first get together of (part of) the Change Agents in Europe will be this September in Istanbul. In Europe we plan on strongly working together with the YES group. A call with the details will be send around this summer, make sure you don't miss this exciting opportunity!

And now - back to rainy London!

YMCA Change Agents Training Team training

Hi friends!

The  World Alliance of YMCAs has started a "programme of change" in order to increase the relevance and impact of the YMCA movement across the world. The YMCA beliefs that there is no one better than young people themselves to actually bring about this change. Therefore a group of so-called "change agents" will be trained to become a new generation of young YMCA leaders. This group will unite the YMCA movement under the umbrella of Youth Empowerment. 

The programme is not about creating new initiatives at the local level or generalising the work of the YMCAs all over the world, as we believe that adapting to local realities is vital to our work. Rather, it is about identifying key events for youth mobilisation and integrating them with this change model. World wide, about 200 of these change agents will take part. In due course more information will be available which is tailored to the European and national/local situations, you should consider becoming one of them!

As part of the Change Agent Training Team I am currently participating in a training at the YMCA in Long Beach, California as I will be involved in the coordination of the Change Agents in Europe.

I've just finished the first day, where we got to know each other and were introduced to the YMCA in Long Beach. Both the other participants and the programmes and staff in Long Beach were very inspiring. I'm looking forward to the rest of the training! Here you can find some more information about one of their signature programmes and a documentary of their work in Cambodia.

Youth Institute
Cambodia Documentary

Goodbye Zimbabwe

Sitting in Schipol Airport in Amsterdam reflecting on the last week spent in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. The week was really an inspiring time particularly when hearing about the great work being done by young people, most of whom are volunteers, all over the African continent "empowering young people for the African Renaissance" .

I have to admit that some of my preconceived ideas about serving young people and communities in Africa have been shattered and programmes such as Subject to Citizen really seems to be having a profound affect with young people's voices being heard from local to national levels advocating on behalf of others.

This was phase one of the training with phase two taking place at some point in February 2013 where the trainee ambassador's will continue their training.

I'm going home inspired, motivated and challenged about how I can help these voices be heard not just in Africa but across the globe.

There & Back Again

'Battersea Power Station, just one of the views from the Gatwick Express'

I am sat in a rather quiet and empty Pendelino Train back home now, and despite the glorious sunny evening, this past week has come around too fast. I cannot say that I could've done more... because I don't think I could have got much more involved in the project than I did.


I did it all! Got involved in all the activities, met crazy new friends, learnt new skills, shared my own skills, and pegged lots and lots... and lots of people. 


Cool Fact: Over 200 Pegs were used during the course of the week!!!

'Maybe this time next year pegs will be banned too!!!'

The weather was nice and hot all of the time I was there in Banska Bystrica to the envy of any of those who had rain.


I think the greatest thing I took away from this expedition has got to be inspiration.


I now have plans.


*evil laughter*


Just kidding, but I plan to put my media skills to much greater use within the YMCA in the near future.


Have a chuckle on me at the shots below:

'Some wore theirs with Pride'

'Some wore theirs as accessories'

'Some wore theirs without knowing'

'...and some should've kept one eye open'

Cheers

Alex D-B