The YMCA, 'Young Men's Christian Association, is a membership organization which bears the cultural identity of the nation in which exists and servers.
First started in London in 1844 by a group of young men under the leadership of George Williams, the YMCA concept spread rapidly to every continent of the world. Today there are YMCAs in over 97 countries and they are united together under the world alliance of YMCAs which has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Twenty-one National Council of YMCAs in Asia form the Asia Alliance of YMCAs, the office of which is based in Hong Kong.
The National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh which was established in 1974, is a member of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs, and the World Alliance of YMCAs. Eight Local YMCAs constitute the National Council, these are: Barisal YMCA, Dhaka YMCA, Dinajpur YMCA, Chittagong YMCA, Bogra YMCA, Birisiri YMCA, Foiljana YMCA and Kaligram YMCA.
MISSION OF YMCA
In 1855 the first International Conference of the YMCA was held in Paris where a mission statement of the movement was formulated which is widely known as the Paris Basis. In 1973, in response to the contemporary theological thinking and with a view to reflect the aspirations of the member Association of the World, an interpretation of the Paris Basis was agreed upon at the 6th World Council of YMCAs Meeting held in Kampala, Popularly, known as Kampala Principles, It states:
"Recognizing the character of the YMCAs in the world today, this act of acknowledging the Paris Basis places upon the various associations and their members as fellow workers with God such imperatives as:
1) To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2) To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterized by love and understanding.
3) To work for and maintain conditions, within the YMCA and in society, its organizations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.
4) To develop and maintain leadership and program pattern which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5) To work for development of the whole person."
YMCA ACTIVITIES
Throughout the ages the YMCA tried to reflect its philosophy through its activities and programs. It tried to respond to people's need in a variety of ways. We need to understand the social situation that prevailed in Europe when the YMCA was first started there. It was the period of the Industrial Revolution. A great number of people particularly the young, moved into cities from the villages. The youth faced great hardships. The worked extra hours in the factories, and were exploited in many ways. Struggling in a sub-human condition, many young people felt lost in life. Depressed, they indulged in various vices and engaged themselves in unsocial activites.
In the context of such a grave situation, the YMCA responded by offering to the young people specific programs for the development of the body, mind and spirit-the whole person. For physical development, the YMCA started gymnasiums, and different types of sports and games. With a view to provide a healthy environment in living, the YMCA started youth hostels. For mental development, schools and colleges were established and various educational programs were organized. The YMCA also offered a variety of programs like prayer meeting, religious study, etc. for the spiritual growth of the young people.
The YMCA is an outstanding name in the world of sports. In fact, it was the YMCA which invented games like Basketball and Volleyball.
But not only in sports, the YMCA also pioneered in other fields. We may recall here that about 60 years ago, Mr, K.T. Paul, the National General Secretary of the Indian YMCA, first coined the term "Rural Reconstruction" and implemented planned rural development programs. Those programs became a model for Governments and other Non-Governmental organizations for rural development.
The symbol of the YMCA is an inverted triangle. It is an equilateral triangle, expressing the symmetrical development of the entire person-body, mind and spirit. But not only the individual person, today, the triangle also stands for the development of the entire communities. That is why some people interpret the triangle to represent "Vision", "Constituency" and "Structure" implying the character of the YMCA. For unless the YMCA becomes a Movement of the people, can it achieve the purpose for which it exists?
CONTEMPORARY YMCA THINKING
The condition of the vast masses of people in our world today are deplorable. The poverty in which millions and millions of people have to live is beyond comprehension. vast number of people are without employment. They seek food, clothing and shelter. Millions and millions of people do not know how to read or write. Under such a situation the YMCA concerns must be to respond to people's needs. But is it possible to address those problems and issues just through the traditional types of programs of the YMCA? It was in this context that in 1977 at a meeting of the Asian YMCAs, the following declaration was adopted which is reflective of the thinking of the present day YMCA:
"The area Committee of the Young Men's Christian Associations in Asia hereby affirm their common purpose and commitment of making a Christian contribution towards the enrichment of the lives of people and the development of their nations.
They aim to promote recognition and respect for human rights as defined in the United Nations Declaration and the attainment of social justice for all.
They see to foster the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man as the foundation for world peace."
In keeping with suck thinking, YMCAs around the world are searching for new ways of addressing the deeper questions that pertain to human and social development. "Development Education"" and "Meaningful participation in National Development" has became a concern of YMCA. In this respect, the YMCA perceives development as:
"An on-going process whereby people liberate themselves from all conditions and structures which prevent the full realization of their potentials and hinder the establishment of human and equitable sets of relationship within communities. The over riding objective of this development is social justice and within this framework, the twin goals of economic growth and self-reliance."
The YMCA believes that development necessary demands the participation of people in the conceptualization, planning, design, implementation and evaluation of all processes that effect their lives. This implies that people must be responsible for the conduct of their leaders, and that they have the duty to make the leaders aware of their needs. It also implies that leaders must represent the consolidation of the people's thinking, and that they are accountable to the people.
For the YMCA, this means that the YMCA must be a movement that is driven by the popular participation of its membership in a continual rebirth of the organization.
Another important dimension of the YMCA is its Ecumenical character. Throughout its long history, the YMCA maintained and strengthened its Ecumenical thrust. In a recent article of the world Alliance of YMCAs we read:
"The YMCA seems to be a natural place for Christians of varying traditions to come together and work on common concerns. Hence there is need to take advantage of the strengths and possibilities that the YMCA has in breaking down divisions and building Christian unity."
But not only unity amongst the Christians, the YMCA has an outstanding record of working together with people of all religions for the common good. In the article of the World Alliance referred to above, the thinking of the YMCA is regard to people of different Religions is clearly expressed:
"The world and all that inhabits are God's creation. All people are God's children. God loves and cares for each of them. To do God's will then means to love our neighbors and unite our lives with them in the search for a common humanity under the region of God. This means that the YMCA must engage in stimulation and enabling ecumenical practices that bring together people of different faiths in a common search for community. In such a process the concept of community must be understood as people in relationships with people who live in mutual respect and tolerance of different beliefs.
In other words, ecumenism in the context of a multi-faith and multi-cultural society must include efforts towards partnership in community in common social tasks. In such a process unity comes about not by creating, uniformity but by acknowledging interdependence. Unity will come in finding elements that unite people of different faiths while still holding on to one's particular faith perspectives. Towards this end, active and constructive dialogue must be pursued. The question to be tackled and answered in everyday YMCA life and work will be : how can we enable people to bring together the spiritual resources of their particular faiths and find common responsibilities in the grouping towards world community?"
The YMCA believes that people, working together, can change the present world and create new world, where there will be lasting peace.
Note : Celebrating for Renewal Dhaka YMCA, Bangladesh.
ARTICLES BY YMCA MEMBERS
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