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| Friday, 4 June 2004 |
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The Young men's Christian Association (YMCA) world over observes its Founder's day on June 6. YMCA is an ecumenical international youth movement that has rendered yeoman service mainly to youth for the past 160 years. YMCAs in all the continents are strongly supported by the World Alliance of YMCAs (WAY), established in 1855 and operating from Geneva to be meaningful instruments in their respective societies. In Sri Lanka there are 38 YMCAs, which have 10,000 members and 50,000 programme participants. They have been serving since 1882, with the founding of the first YMCA in Colombo. The National Council of the YMCAs (NCY) of Sri Lanka which was established in 1962 and thereafter registered under an Act of Parliament is coordinating the activities of the affiliates. Commitment to its mission has led the YMCA to work with all people in the communities, irrespective of religion, race, gender or cultural background. This commitment has also led the YMCA to work for social change, addressing the root causes of issues and problems faced by the people. In addition, it provides recreational and sports facilities, educational activities, as well as services to refugees and displaced people. Greater emphasis is given to peace reconciliation and human rights activities. Its programme focus has made it a rallying point for all people of goodwill, a press release said. The Council supported the on going peace process initiated by both the Government and the LTTE from its inception. Twenty YMCAs are working in peace related activities with five full time Peace Coordinators. Five YMCAs namely Galle, Kalmunai, Kandy, Vavuniya and Jaffna are promoting human rights education and provide training for volunteers to be bare-foot lawyers. The National Training Centre (NTC): set up at a cost of Rs. 50 million at Kuruna, Katunayake is a partnership venture with Norway YMCA/YWCA with financial support from NORAD. Two volunteer staff one from South Africa and another Peace Co-ordinator from Palestine have arrived to assist the movement for one year. The Centre provides resource persons, resource materials for schools and NGOs and promotes district and regional level training programmes. The Council held its 39th Annual General Meeting on May 22, attended by 80 delegates from 30 constituencies. Inauguration of the new YMCA building at 74, Wackwella Road, Galle preceded the AGM. Lawyer Ravi Algama was elected President. |
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