World YMCA

'The voices of people demanding a fairer, more equitable world must not be silenced.' As YMCA Youth Climate Ambassadors left COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, they were unequivocal: despite the widening divisions in global climate efforts, hope endures for as long as young people the world over demand climate justice. https://lnkd.in/gCN8KW3T

Hear from YMCA Climate Ambassadors Claire Warmels (Canada), Nora Tafel (USA), Nimasha De Silva (Sri Lanka) and Shakil Karim (USA) as COP 29 drew to a painful close. Claire said: ‘The best thing that can happen for those who are invested in the conditions that keep the climate crisis going is that members of civil society [...] don’t show up, and that we boycott these kind of events [...] because we give up on the multilateral process. WE CANT’T DO THAT! We HAVE to have people here!’

‘Where there is civil society, there is hope .... we’ll stay here until negotiations are officially finished.’ YMCA climate ambassador Stefanie Thornow from Germany was still ‘hoping against hope’ as she sent her final bulletin hours before the final deal was reached at COP 29 in Baku.

'Global citizenship' is easier said than done, and Taejae University YMCA in Seoul, Korea has just conducted a successful study on global citizenship education, reflecting learnings from Yutori education in Japan. One key Yutori element of emphasising young children's individuality is to recognise others' individuality too: that's our collective, global humanity.

In some countries, the YMCA and the YWCA is actually the same organisation. In all countries, we share the same values and we work together. Thank you to Aida Rehouma and all our YWCA friends in Geneva who came across town to see us today!

Earlier this year in April, Change Agents Victoria Muller and Akin Machado from ACM do Rio Grande do Sul (YMCA-RS, Brazil) had an unforgettable experience. They and their YMCA colleagues met Pope Francis at the Vatican alongside their YMCA colleagues. During their visit, they presented the Pope with two beautiful handmade crystals from their region, which he blessed. One was given to the Pope, representing the fragility of life, hope and the YMCA’s care for the young people. 🙏 The blessing has come back to the YMCA. 🌍 During the YMCA Accelerator Summit in Mombasa, Victoria and Akin presented the second crystal to World YMCA’s Carlos Sanvee and Soheila Hayek, bringing those blessings to the entire YMCA Movement. ✨ #YMCAVision2030 YMCA America Latina & Caribe

Why does the YMCA come to COP every year? What role do we play in moving climate action forward? Check out the answers, you may be surprised. 🌍 #cop29azerbaijan #cop29 Shakil Karim Stefanie Tornow Nora Tafel Claire Warmels

We are proud to announce a partnership with Enhesa to support youth development through global employee engagement programmes. 🌍 Enhesa employees will collaborate with local YMCAs worldwide—from Toronto to Tokyo—taking part in activity days, workshops, and events focused on sustainability and #ESG principles. This partnership aims to help young people build confidence, resilience, and the skills needed for meaningful employment. 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWfP-4q4 A virtual initiative will also connect Enhesa employees with YMCA Change Agents, fostering cross-cultural collaboration on global challenges. Together we are working to create a #sustainable and #inclusive future. #YMCAVision2030 #sustainability #youthempowerment #MeaningfulWork YMCA Europe YMCA England & Wales YMCA of the USA

🙏 This year’s World Week of Prayer, held 10-16 November, brought YMCAs and YWCAs together under the theme “Moving with Faith through the Elements.” 🌊🔥💨🌍 From Bible reflections to seminars and prayer gatherings, YMCAs across the globe united to explore the significance of water, earth, fire, and wind in Scripture and daily life. See how YMCAs worldwide embraced this tradition of faith and fellowship 👉 https://bit.ly/4eDwZDM #WorldWeekOfPrayer

With only two (!) days left of #COP29 in Azerbaijan, what has been accomplished? What's next? Stefanie Tornow, who has been sharing COP insights for the past two weeks, walks us through it. #cop29azerbaijan