YMCA Global Mission

YMCA Global Mission

The World Alliance of YMCAs was founded in 1855 at its first World Conference, held in Paris. At that time, conference participants developed the YMCA’s first mission statement, the Paris Basis. Since then, the YMCA’s mission statement has been interpreted to reflect contemporary realities, first in 1973 with the Kampala Principles, and most recently in 1998 with Challenge 21.

 

 

 

THE PARIS BASIS OF 1855

At its first World Conference held in Paris participants developed the YMCA’s first mission statement, the Paris Basis.

The Young Men’s Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples on their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men. Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance. Affirming the Paris Basis, as the ongoing foundation statement of the mission, YMCA Kuala Lumpur was incorporated on 27 October 1905 with 39 founding members. The object and purpose of our Association is in seeking to:

 

  • Transcend all divisions and barriers of class, race, nationality and political opinion; and

  • Provide youths with opportunities for the full development of the whole personality – Body, Mind and Spirit.

 

 

 

 

THE KAMPALA PRINCIPLES OF 1973

YMCA’s mission statement has been interpreted to reflect contemporary realities, first in 1973 with the Kampala Principles​.

The Paris Basis expresses that Christ is the centre of the Movement, which is conceived as a world-wide fellowship uniting Christians of all confessions. It is consistent with an open membership policy, involving people irrespective of faith as well as age, sex, race and social condition. The Basis is not designed to serve as a condition of individual YMCA membership, which is deliberately left to the discretion of constituent movements of the World Alliance. The Basis makes clear that the constituent movements of the Alliance have full freedom to express their purpose in other terms designed to correspond more directly to the needs and aspirations of those whom they are seeking to serve, provided these are regarded by the World Alliance as being consistent with the Paris Basis. Recognising 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:

 

  • To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.

  • To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterised by love and understanding.

  • To work for and maintain conditions, within the YMCA and in society, its organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.

  • To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.

  • To work for the development of the whole person.

 

 

 
 

THE CHALLENGE 21 OF 1998

Today, the YMCA's Mission Statement is under the direction of, most recently The Challenge 21 of 1998.

Challenge 21, adopted at the 14th World Council of YMCAs, Frechen, Germany, 1998 states that:
 

“Affirming the Paris Basis adopted in 1855 as the ongoing foundation statement of the mission of the YMCA, at the threshold of the third millennium we declare that the YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on and the genuine involvement of young people and that it seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation.
 

Each member YMCA is therefore called to focus on certain challenges which will be prioritized according to its own context. These challenges, which are an evolution of the Kampala Principles, are:
 

  • Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and striving for spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being of individuals and wholeness of communities.

  • Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.

  • Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children.

  • Fostering dialogue and partnership between people of different faiths and ideologies and recognizing the cultural identities of people and promoting cultural renewal.

  • Committing to work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people and oppressed racial, religious and ethnic minorities.

  • Seeking to be mediators and reconcilers in situations of conflict and working for meaningful participation and advancement of people for their own self-determination.

  • Defending God’s creation against all that would destroy it and preserving and protecting the earth’s resources for coming generations. To face these challenges, the YMCA will develop patterns of co-operation at all levels that enable self-sustenance and self-determination.”characterised by love and understanding.

  • To work for and maintain conditions, within the YMCA and in society, its organisations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.

  • To develop and maintain leadership and programme patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.

  • To work for the development of the whole person.