Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is an international, voluntary, Christian ecumenical, youth movement. Founded in 1844, it seeks to unite young people, men, women and children, irrespective of race or religion, in the task of building community characterised by justice, love and peace, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, an integral part of the World Alliance of YMCAs, is a Federation of 24 YMCA Councils of YMCA Movements in Asia and Pacific countries and territories. Established as a regional body in 1949, the Alliance unites more than 3,000 local YMCA units with more than 6 million members and many more programme participants.

To promote cooperation among Movements in Asia and Pacific, with other YMCA Movements and the World Alliance while preserving the integrity and identity of each Movement.
To promote in collaboration with the World Alliance and the Movements concerned, the extension of the YMCAs in the region to serve new constituencies and new geographic areas.
To coordinate and be responsible within Asia and Pacific for inter-movement cooperation, programmes, projects, funding, staffing and other plans including those with Movements from other areas, upon mutual agreement with the World Alliance and the Movements concerned.
To search continuously for the meaning of the Christian message in the YMCA in the Asian and Pacific contexts and encourage National Movements to fulfill their Christian Mission in the life and work of each YMCA.
To review from time to time the needs, problems and opportunities in Asia and Pacific, and determine the course of action that must be taken inclusive of the realm of social change such as justice and human rights.
To promote the study, discussion and action on matters of common concern to the National Movements.
To hold the Quadrennial General Assembly of the YMCAs in the region and to hold other Consultations and Conferences from time to time.
To promote leadership development.

Programme Thrusts

The ongoing intensive process of globalisation, impacting on our societies, our culture and identities, is a major concern of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. Our programme thrusts therefore, expresses our commitment to the Mission of the YMCA, and to proactively meet the challenges we are confronted with in our respective societies, today.