New YMCA leadership focus on youth participation

By: Gil Harper, for World Alliance of YMCAs

 

Now is the time for young people to take a greater leadership role in global affairs and they must empower them with the skills to effectively operate in an increasingly globalised world.

 

This is the view of newly-elected President of the World Alliance of YMCAs, Ken Colloton from the USA. Colloton indicated a focus on areas, such as HIV/AIDS education and prevention, migration and the environment, which are aimed at strengthening young people and communities .

 

To ensure that the YMCA continues to empower more youth and transform communities, newly-elected Secretary General Rev. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik said the movement will continue to be socially relevant and achieve impact in peoples lives. Financial strength is key, according to Etvik, who will take up his position at the beginning of January 2011.

 

“The recent launch of the Investors Circle and the initial pledge monies of almost USD130 thousand raised from YMCA leadership are so important for the global movement in terms of supporting a shared direction for our work,” said Eltvik.

 

The YMCA movement works in 125 countries, serving 45million people in 12 000 communities. The leadership appointment of Eltvik and election of Colloton took place this week at the 17th World Council of YMCAs, which was attended by almost 1 200 YMCA delegates from 85 countries.

 

Photo: (from L) Incoming Secretary General Rev. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, outgoing Secretary General Dr Bart Shaha, outgoing President Mr. Martin Meiβner, incoming President Ken Colloton.

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