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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Youth Declaration and Recommendations
"I write to you, young people because you are strong and the word of God lives in you and you have overcome the evil one. '
I John 2:14
"My last legacy - and it's a precious one is the Young men's Christian Association. I leave it to you beloved young people of many countries, to carry on and extend. I hope you will be as happy in the work as I have been, and more successful; for this will mean blessedness to your own souls and the souls of multitudes of others. "
Sir George Williams 1905 Paris-France
The Youth Community of the 15th World Council has been building upon the legacy of our fore-fathers mission, interpreted in the Frechen 1998 World Council, and the Global Youth Forums held in Geneva 1999 and Cape Town 2001. The Regional Youth Forums and the Inter Regional Youth Consultation (Geneva 2001) among other regional and national events have further progressed our global youth priorities.
We, the 160 young women and men of the World Youth Council, have gathered from many countries and cultures in Oaxtepec, Mexico from 12 th to 14th July 2002. We have participated in this four-year process of re-instating the mission of the YMCA, which has resulted in a Shared Integrated Global Youth Strategy to address relevant issues for young people.
The YMCA Youth Community has re-affirmed that strong and vibrant Youth Leadership is imperative in our local, national and regional Movements to accomplish Challenge 21. This will ensure the development of a relevant and dynamic YMCA Movement able to build integrated communities. It was further re-affirmed that strategies and programs should be designed and implemented FOR and BY young people.
The Youth Council also affirmed the approach adopted by the present (outgoing) World Alliance Youth Committee that worked toward a more integrated approach to Global YMCA Youth initiatives.
Resolution
Toward a Shared Integrated Global Youth Strategy (2002-2006)
Building upon the last four years, the Youth Council proposes the following actions pertaining to the three Global Youth Priorities, the Global Youth Leadership Forums and the Mid- Term Inter-Regional Evaluation, as a next step to youth involvement for the World YMCA Movement. The Youth Council proposes the following to be adopted by the World Council and enacted by the Executive Committee and the Global Operating Team.
1. Three Global Youth Priorities
While discussing the issues of HIV and AIDS, the Culture of Peace, and Youth Unemployment over the past three days, the Youth Council participants have agreed on numerous proposals for action by the World Alliance of YMCAs. We anticipate that the World Council will adopt these proposals, to be enacted by the Executive Committee of the World Alliance and fully integrated into the Strategic Directions Agenda.
1.1 HIV and AIDS
In the next ten years, seventy million people will be infected with HIV and AIDS. Currently, 50% of those infected are between the ages of 15 and 24. It is crucial that the YMCA put a stronger effort into a solution for young people regarding this pandemic.
We strongly urge:
- That the World YMCA Movement networks with other relevant international organisations to collaborate on this issue.
- That the YMCA intensifies our commitment to prevention of HIV and AIDS through education in current programming.
- That the YMCA supports the campaign for equal access to medication.
- That the YMCA supports the victims of HIV and AIDS discrimination and fosters understanding in communities.
- That the YMCA continues to implement peer education programs.
-That an upcoming YMCA Week of Prayer addresses the issue of HIV and AIDS with special emphasis on youth materials.
-That the World YMCA Movement continues to build a network of YMCAs working on this issue. For example, to host a global YMCA conference on HIV/AIDS, to build internet discussion forums, and to create a best practice resource guide.
CULTURE OF PEACE:
As young adults in the YMCA, we recognise and are deeply concerned that we are living in a world torn by violence and injustice.
We strongly urge:
That the YMCA intensifies our commitment to peace education especially for children and young people.
That the, YMCA takes a larger role in community mediation and reconciliation in countries struggling with conflict and post conflict.
That the YMCA further develops the role of youth observer and develops a corps of youth correspondents around the world to report on global issues.
That the YMCA continues to take a proactive role in networking with international peace building campaigns.
That the YMCA movement works with governments on issues related to the Culture of Peace, with the support of that nation's national movement.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Youth unemployment is a grave issue that affects our global society. More than ever; youth are faced with social and economic barriers to employment.
We strongly urge:
That the YMCA works to alleviate economic inequalities and networks with other international NGOs.
That the YMCA intensifies its commitment to job training and career
guidance programs.
That the YMCA movement creates and supports microcredit programs with emphasis on young people and women to develop sustainable communities.
That the YMCA creates opportunities for young volunteers to gain recognised employment experience.
That an upcoming YMCA Week of Prayer addresses the issue of youth unemployment with special emphasis on youth resources.
2. Global Youth Leadership Forums
Based on the experiences and reports of participants from Geneva (1999),
and Cape Town (2001), the Youth Council proposes an objective of at least two such Forums before the 2006 World Youth Council and World Council.
3. Mid-Term Inter-Regional Review and Evaluation
We proposed that representative Regional Youth Leaders meet in 2004 to
evaluate the progress on the Shared Integrated Global Youth Strategy. This evaluation should be coordinated with the Area Alliance Offices, through the Global Operating Plan.
The purpose of the Evaluation shall include:
- Reviewing the period 2002-2004
- Refine plans for the period 2004-2006, and the 2006 World Youth Council
- Begin to consider the post - 2006 World Council (2006-2010) Global Youth priorities
Recommendations to World Youth Committee
The World Youth Council sharply encourages and mandates the incoming World Youth Committee to work creatively and emphatically in the final formulation and implementation of the Global Youth Strategy. It urges that Area Alliances and Regional Youth Committees, and the Global Staff Team are actively involved in all aspects of the Shared Integrated Global Youth Strategy.
Global Youth Campaign
The World Youth Council recommends that the incoming Youth Committee explore the possibility of establishing a unifying Campaign to further add focus and energy to the Shared Integrated Global Youth Strategy. (2002-2006) and increase the participation of young people in the World YMCA
Global Youth Communication Strategy
The World Youth Council proposes that the Youth Committee develop a Youth Communication Strategy. The Communication Strategy should draw on and extend the communication proposals contained in the three Global Youth Priorities contained in this report.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Regarding the representation of youth delegates to YMCA World Councils
Introduction
· Currently the World Council does not reflect appropriately the youth character of the YMCA Movement. It should gather a substantial number of young women and men along with senior and more experienced leaders.
· The World Council influences the workings of the World YMCA by providing mandates. For this reason, youth are in a position to influence and must, in fact, shape the orientations of these decisions. After all, they are the inheritors of these decisions, and will have to work with them in the future.
· By enabling young people to be present in larger numbers at the World Council, the Movement is acting on Challenge 21 which calls on YMCAs to empower young people at all levels of the YMCA.
Resolution
· The World Alliance establishes a process by which the Constitution Committee can work on the question of youth presence at the World Council and make it a provision that must be acted on.
· In future the assistance by the World Alliance of YMCAs should provide the maximum possible financial assistance to youth delegates. In the case of National Movements not depending on financial subsidies, a self-imposed target must be set. As a general rule all National Movements send a number of people under 30 to the World Council. This number must be equivalent to at least one third of the members of the whole delegation of the respective National Movement.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Report and recommendations of the Network of Men in Partnership with Women
1. Background and Context
In November 2000 the World Alliance of YMCAs and World Council of Churches convened a meeting in Bossey, Switzerland to address men's role in promoting gender equity. Six women and fourteen men from around the world to discuss this and determined that it was vital for the two organisations to make a commitment to promote dialogue among men around their conception of manhood and vision of equitable relationships and to encourage partnership between women and men in working for gender equity.
The group decided to form a network of men in partnership with women in order to:
a. work towards a new consciousness for men of women's reality and gender justice;
b. work towards the liberation of men from our complicity in dominant attitudes practices, and structures of life and develop an alternative paradigm of gender equal relations.
c.challenge unjust structures and systems that maintain gender imbalances and inequity
d. work collaboratively with women's agendas for justice.
e. create and work with other networks of men, locally, regionally, and nationally in this journey.
2. Recommendations to the World Council
We make the following recommendations to the World Council:
a. That a mechanism and process be established within the World Alliance to formalise the Network of Men in Partnership with Women, including developing a clear Statement of Intent and a Policy and preliminary Program Framework.
b. That the Network of Men in Partnership with Women remain aligned within the agenda of the World Alliance Executive and Gender Committees and the ongoing dialogue with the World Council of Churches.
c. That the Network of Men in Partnership with Women be included in the World Alliance and Regional and Area Alliance program agendas and become integral to the Global Operating Plan of the World Alliance.
d. That the World Council urge Regions and Area Alliances to promote and establish Networks of Men in Partnership with Women. This should be done together with Regional and Area Alliances and Representatives of the World Alliance Gender Committee.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Workshop on Violence Against Women
The participants of the World Alliance of YMCAs inter-regional workshop on "Violence against Women", held in Oaxtepec, Mexico on the 13 and 14 July, 2002 call on the delegates of the XVth World Council to adopt their statement and recommendations on the question of Violence Against Women around the world. The concepts and ideas in the accompanying report provide the perspective, framework and policy base on the subject.
INTRODUCTION
We, the participants of the World Alliance of YMCAs inter-regional workshop on Violence Against Women, held on 13-14 July, 2002 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, shared experiences, information and situations of women experiencing violence in our regions.
The stories of anguish, vulnerability and hopeleffssness of women echoed around the room. They were similar in all regions: situations that have crippled and stopped women from living their life in abundance and violent situations that have result of the perpetuation of patriarchal systems.
We acknowledged that violence against women is not only a women's issue, but also a gender issue concerning both, men and women. Violence against women is the most widespread, yet the least recognized human rights abuse in the world. Violence against women is an affront against YMCA values system and against Challenge 21.
We are shocked about the prevalence of domestic violence in all our regions and that so often the most dangerous place for a woman is her own home.
We are shocked about the domestic violence and the increasing trafficking of women in Asia and Pacific. We are shocked about the frequent psychological and physical abuse of women; and the lack of political will to put into action existing legislation in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are shocked about child sexual abuse and the exposure of women to the spread of AIDS- HIV putting many girls and women at risk, in Africa.
We are shocked about the alarming rate of domestic violence in North America.
We are shocked about the forced prostitution the forced prostitution In Europe.
We are shocked that in Palestine many human rights violations, occurring because of the current political situation, doubly affect women. Many women have been killed or injured at checkpoints and babies dyed through miscarriages as mothers have been unable to access medical attention due to queues at checkpoints.
COMMON THREADS:
The different regional contributions made us aware of common threads crossing social, economic, geographic and cultural boundaries.
The most common threads are the following:
1. Forms of Violence against women:
We understand that the violence against women is defined by the United Nations means:
«any act of gender-based violence thet results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or pshychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts , coercio or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,wether ocurring in public or private»
· Domestic violence
Four different has become very prevalent in all societies and manifests itself
as psychological, sexual and physical abuse.
· Trafficking of women
Under false promises of work in richer countries, women and young girls are forced into prostitution or domestic slavery.
· Sexual harassment
Women are subjected to unwanted sexual advences, requests for sexual favor at work, in school and in the community
· Structural violence
Women are disadvantaged solely on accunt of them being women. There are insufficient services or resources for women experiencing violence. The access to education is unequal for men and women. Women experience discrimination in labor force. Women are more vulnerable to poverty. They depend economically on men.
· Conflict Situation
Women living in situation of conflict and/or war are suffering due to violence in their environment and in their homes.
2. Information, education and research about gender issues
- lack of studies showing the economic and social impact of violence against women
- lack of statistics regarding violence against women
- underreporting of cases due to stigmatisation of the victims
- Violence against women considered a private matter, even if human rights are at stake
- Women lack information on their rights
3. Policies and legislation
- Insufficient policies to address violence against women
- Women are not everywhere protected equally under the law and where they are, the enforcing of these laws is weak
- Police and justice systems are male dominted and lack training on violence agains women issues
4. Myths
Traditional misconceptions, mzths (« single woman are hysterical and bitter », « a man who loves his wife beats her ») and stereotypes perpetuate violence against women.
RECOGNISING THE WORK OF THE YMCA
We recognized that the YMCAs have tackled the gender issue in various platforms. The concepts and perspectives have evolved over time, from addressing women's issues to mainstreaming gender perspective. Information sharing, leadership training, credit assistance, sensitization on gender issues and developing and mainstreaming gender policies are among the programmes in Africa. In the Asia and Pacific region, numerous programmes have been initiated and are still being implemented. Some of these are leadership training, sex education, health education, childcare center, awareness raising, campaigning against trafficking in women, vocational training, handicraft marketing, legal aid and education, counselling, formation of women's groups and advocacy for gender issues. The Latin American YMCAs implement maternity/health programme, gender training among the youth, employment programmes, campaigning against violence against women and other support services. The YMCAs in the Middle East conduct women empowerment programmes using participatory approaches and capacity building for women particularly young people. North American YMCAs provide shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and conduct prevention programmes focused on empowering girls. While there are efforts towards women empowerment and gender equity, more still needs to be done to create a stronger impact in the lives of people within and outside the YMCAs.
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
We reflected on Jesus' teaching as stated in the Book of Galatians 3 :28,
« There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus ».
The Book of Genesis 2 :18,22 also proclaims,
« It is not good that the man should be alone »
« And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. »
These verses stress equality, mutuality and inter-dependance between men and women.
Challenge 21, which is the contemporary expression of our Mission affirms that
« The YMCA is a world-wide Christian movement for women and men that seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a humnan community of justifce with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. »
This mission is based on our faith in God who is the Creator of communities characterized by harmony, mutual growth and interdependence. God created both men and women in His image. God created both man and woman as equal and equivalent, created of mutuality, wholeness and community. With these as bases of our faith, we walk the path of spirituality and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ that emphasise peace, love, jutsice, freedom from oppression, hope, and upholding the truth.
We see the need to work for gender equity, fostering human dignity. We are called upon to uphold peace and eliminate all forms of violence against women and humanity so that women and men can fully participate as partners in building a new heaven and a new earth.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As a Christian organization seeking justice, peace and love, we are called upon to eliminate violence against women
Therefore, we recommend that the YMCAs:
· Establish preventive education programmes that empower women
· Explore ways to be involved in direct intervention addressing violence against women including setting-up shelters, counselling centers or support groups that are involved in these programmes as neede.
· Conduct policy advocacy programmes to effect changes in existing laws to promote the elimination of gender-based violence.
· Promote biblical and theological reflections with a gender perspective by developing resource materials.
· Produce materials and workbooks addressing gender issues.
· While strengthening programmes providing services to women, put emphasis on addressing women's strategic needs.
· Develop and implement programmes that would facilitate changes in cultural attitudes of people especially young men and women that reinforce or favor violence against women.
· Initiate policy changes and set up mechanisms that would enhance the role of YMCAs as a model of gender equity.
· Develop and integrate a gender perspective including violence against women in YMCA programmes and trainings at all levels.
· Encourage YMCA members to commit themselves to stop violence against women, denounce physical and sexual violence against women, promote women's participation in decision-making and, work for gender justice in and outside the YMCA.
· Establish partnerships and network mechanisms with organizations working/active on gender issues e.g World Council of Churches, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), YWCA, UN, UNIFEM, UNICEF, etc.
As an expression of our solidarity and concern about the women in Palestine, we also recommend the following:
· Initiate and strengthen programmes that would enable young women towards self-actualization, understanding their needs, helping them acquire the tools for decision-making and stressing their role in bringing about changes in conditions for all Palestinian women through conduct of training/capacity building among women
· Advocate for Palestinian women's rights, so that they become more capable in expressing themselves and confront the social difficulties and problems in their daily life, especially because of their occupation.
To all the above ideas and recommendations, we invite women and men at all levels of the YMCA to join hands and transform the patterns of inequity and injustice against one-half of the world: the women.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Report of the Gender tent - Challenge 21 Festival
Findings and Recommendations from the work groups:
Feminisation of the poverty is a big problem around the world. Poverty is differentiated by gender in incidence and severity and women make up 70% of the poor in the world. This situation reflects women's unequal situation in different areas of society. We call on the YMCA to develop a policy framework, and programs that address the issues of feminisation of poverty.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
The spread of HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on youth, families and communities throughout the world, especially in developing countries. This destruction impacts on every community where the YMCA operates.
The World YMCA Movement must work to defend youth, families and communities from one of the greatest single threats to humankind through innovative information and education programmes and the strengthening of YMCA networks and strategic alliances. The YMCA should also support and advocate for people living with AIDS.
We therefore resolve that the 15th World Council accept this challenge as a key priority for the World YMCA Movement and recommend this resolution is included within the new Global Operating Plan.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Suffering Planet and Protecting the Earth Environmental Commitment
We the participants of the Suffering Planet and Protecting the Earth forum recognise the need for our world, regional, national and local movements to promote environmental awareness, education, and advocacy.
We believe that in order to maintain the integrity of Challenge 21 and especially to defend God's creation, we urge the following actions:
The promotion and practice of environmentally-friendly products and practices at YMCA events;
That the YMCA World Alliance serve as a conduit in the advocacy of world, regional, and national environmental issues;
That the consideration of site selection for YMCA events include the importance of recycling and other environmental impacts of the event;
And we strongly encourage YMCA's at all levels to become aware of the Earth Charter Initiative and to promote this charter in educational programs for youth.
Furthermore, we recommend review of the Earth Charter by the Executive Committee of the World Alliance for possible endorsement.
For more information on the Earth Charter Initiative and copies of the Earth Charter in many languages, go to www.earthcharter.org
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Conservative estimates are that well over 100 million children live on the
streets; millions serve as child labourers while the number of children caught up in the phenomenon of child prostitution grows with every passing day. Millions are also displaced by war, hunger and famine. For most of these children, the present is desperate and the future gloomy.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, formally
identified children as the bearers of rights, established an internationally accepted framework for the treatment of all children and created a strong global commitment to safeguard their rights However, today we find that children still face inequalities in their everyday lives, and are denied access to the most basic of facilities. Ensuring that all children are afforded equal rights is still a challenge.
This is not an issue that YMCAs have completely avoided, but since the
situation is one of rapid deterioration, there is need to do more at the local national and global levels on children's rights.
We therefore propose that National Movements commit to:
1. Network with other organisations serving children and refer families to their services when suitable as well as offer YMCA services to other organisations.
2. Work with children and their families, training parents and children on children's rights, understanding responsibilities and duties ("school for parents").
3. Consider children's opinions on the programs in which they participate.
4. Involve children in the process of planning for the activities and
programs they participate in, in accordance to their age and cognitive
ability.
5. Include children's perspectives in YMCA boards and decision making bodies.
6. Offer an ongoing training program for staff and volunteers on children's rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its impacts on our daily life and work.
7. Contribute to national consultation and participation bodies related to children's issues and rights and ensure that children can express themselves freely and safely within such bodies.
The YMCA is in a unique position to work towards the promotion and protection of children's rights, since it is working directly with children in more than one hundred countries. It is also a well recognised organisation, with the opportunity to network, lobby and influence decision-making at many levels. In Challenge 21 we have committed ourselves to advocate and promote the rights of children.
Be it resolved that the World Alliance of YMCAs:
1. Include in the Global Operating Plan for the next four years a YMCA international conference on Children's Rights and the role and responsibility of the YMCA in promoting and protecting these rights.
2. Form a short term Ad-Hoc committee to articulate a policy statement of the World Alliance regarding children rights and the YMCA role, incorporating the aforementioned proposals.
3. Continue lobbying and have a strong presence at the international level to further the rights of children and encourage national movements to do the same within their country.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Consistent with our values expressed in Challenge 21, we, the participants in the Culture of Peace Forum, express solidarity with ALL statements put forth in the Challenge 21 Festival, and reaffirm the rights of all people, especially children and young people, to live in conditions of lasting peace, ensuring hope for the future and fostering the development of human potential.
We declare the following in regard to Building a Culture of Peace throughout the world:
That peace begins within the individual, and then grows to affect culture through institutions and structures on a local, national, and worldwide level.
That violence is overcome through asking questions, seeking a deeper understanding through reflection of the causes of violence, including poverty, unemployment, abuse of power, racism, and all social injustices, and taking small but meaningful steps to develop attitudes of peace. Furthermore, we recognise that security and the cessation of violence does not equal true peace.
That our role as a worldwide YMCA movement is to create a culture of peace within our movement, educate, empower, mediate, and build relationships with each other and all those we serve based on our mission and the vision expressed in Challenge 21 for a better world.
We, therefore. commit ourselves, strongly encourage our National Movements, and, herewith resolve the World Alliance of YMCAs to:
Strengthen our existing framework of communication through which we can share knowledge and resources necessary to Building a Culture of Peace around the world. We recommend that the World Alliance appoints a person or persons to facilitate the cultivation and management of this network.
Make the participation of young people a priority in Building a Culture of Peace by engaging them in all levels of the process.
Ensure that the work undertaken by all of us here at the 15th World Council to Build a Culture of Peace is sustained by the World Alliance through the:
Facilitation of a Peace Building Seminar in the next year through which representatives from YMCAs can network, share resources, and identify the "best practices" that all YMCAs can use in their efforts to Build a Culture of Peace.
Strengthening of existing strategic alliances and participation with other peace builiding organisations, including the UN.
Creation, in collaboration with other peace building organisations, of leadership training and manuals for all YMCA staff and volunteers to prepare and empower them to effectively Build a Culture of Peace with those they serve.
Creation of a YMCA Peace Institute to serve as a centre for all YMCA peace building activities around the world that will facilitate the formal organised participation of young people.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Indigenous Peoples / Migrants
Being aware of the plight of the indigenous peoples and migrants in various parts of the world,
Acknowledging the rights of indigenous people and migrants, and the need to understand their aspirations and hopes for the dignified and better quality of life.
We recommend that as elaborated in Challenge 21, we must continue to have indigenous peoples and migrants on our agenda through the following initiatives
(a) Formation of networks and information sharing amongst YMCAs that are involved in development activities amongst the indigenous peoples and migrants.
(b) The Executive Committee of the World Alliance should further study the issues in order to establish policy frameworks and strategies to strengthen and build the capacity of the National Movements, so that they can better work with indigenous peoples and migrants.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Economic Justice, Trade and Development
Introduction
· Current trade structures disadvantage poor people with the consequences that billions are being held in poverty, denying them basic human rights and hope for the future.
· In the developed countries the same structures create a culture of consumerism which is incompatible with Challenge 21. There is a profound lack of awareness of the effects of trade rules among the peoples of the developed countries.
· International trade rules sufficiently do not take into account environmental and social impacts.
Resolution
We call upon the World Assembly to:
· Promote knowledge and understanding of the effects of global trade rules amongst worldwide members of the YMCAs with special emphasis on young people. Therefore we require World Alliance to facilitate the exchange of information and discussion through their web-site.
· Mandate the World Movement to review their purchasing policies to insure that they are consistent with Challenge 21.
· Mandate to the World Alliance to work with other organizations such as the Trade Justice Movement and the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
· Mandate the World Alliance to advocate trade justice to international organizations.
We call upon the national movements to:
· Partner with the World Alliance in taking forward these issues at a national level and to members of the local YMCAs.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
In the course of its work with the Armenian YMCA, the European Alliance of YMCAs has developed a greater understanding of the trauma experienced by the Armenian people as a result of the continued indifference by much of the world to the genocide committed against them at the beginning of the 20th century.
As a Christian youth movement, the World Alliance of YMCAs believes that failure to acknowledge the injustice of the past contributes to their repetition in the future.
With this conviction, the World Alliance of YMCAs, assembled for World Council, July 2002 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, recognizes and condemns the genocide committed against the Armenian people and appeals to all National YMCA movements to similarly recognize and condemn it.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
Presented by the YMCA and YWCA in Denmark
Seconded by the YMCAs in Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Guatemala, Ireland, Lebanon, Netherlands Norway, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad, Uruguay, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Supported by the YMCA in Jordan (ass. Member) and the YMCAs in East Jerusalem, Gaza and Nazareth
Motivation:
The World Alliance of YMCAs has been involved in the Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict since 1948. The continuing tragedy that has expanded ever since, with varying degrees of intensity, has caused human suffering for generations of people living in the land of the Holy One, and for those who have been expelled from their home country. In a wider context it has caused instability and animosity between major religions and civilisations on a global level, and thereby threatened, and continues to threaten international security. The 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, which has now lasted for 35 years needs to be ended. During the last two years the conflict has deteriorated significantly and caused civilian casualties on both sides. The World Alliance of YMCAs has documented this in the reports of the YMCA fact-finding mission in November 2000 and of the YMCA/YWCA observers in Palestine and Israel in the year 2001. In solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel, the Churches and all people in the region who are suffering, we, the World Alliance of YMCAs, commit ourselves to continue our involvement in creating peace with justice in the area.
Basis:
Consistent with our values contained in Challenge 21, we commit
· To defend God's creation against all that would destroy it;
· To work towards justice, peace and reconciliation;
· To stand against violence and human degradation in any form;
· To work in solidarity with the poor, dispossessed, uprooted people and oppressed racial, religious and ethnic minorities.
We reaffirm the rights of all people, especially children and young people, to live in conditions of dignity, peace and safety, ensuring hope for the future and fostering the development of human potential.
We affirm that we are:
· Building on the resolutions on Palestine adopted at the 11th, the 12th and the 14th World Councils;
· Confirming our support for the UN-resolutions:
- 194, adopted by the General Assembly December 1948
- addressing the issue of refugees and their right of return;
- 242, adopted by the Security Council 22 November 1967;
- addressing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories;
- 1397, adopted by the Security Council 12 March 2002;
- calling for the implementation of the Mitchell Report;
- affirming the vision of a two-state solution in the region;
- addressing the need for safety of civilians and respect for International Law;
- 1402, adopted by the Security Council 30 March 2002;
- addressing cease-fire and withdrawal of Israel troops from Palestinian cities;
- 1403, adopted by the Security Council 4 April 2002;
- reaffirming Resolution 1402;
· Emphasising the importance of the 4th Geneva Convention, and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
We declare that:
· The Palestinians have the right to a viable sovereign state based on the 4th of June 1967 borders, as well as the Israelis who have already had their sovereign state since 1948 within the territory granted to them by the UN. Both people have the right to complete self-determination within internationally recognised borders, to full sovereignty, to international recognition of their elected leadership and to security for their civilian population;
· Since the establishment of the State of Israel, Palestinians, who in large numbers lost their land and property and became refugees, and who were denied the rights promised to them in UN-resolution 194, have experienced tremendous suffering;
· The experience of violence resulting from the current crisis is causing suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians;
· No oppression of one people legitimises their oppression of another people. Palestinians had no part in the historic suffering of the Jews, yet the Palestinians are suffering severe political and economic discrimination and humiliation;
· No violent acts directed against civilians can be legitimised, either the ones carried out by the Israeli army or the ones carried out by the Palestinian resistance movements;
· In keeping with UN Security Council Resolution 242, the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem should be ended without delay;
· Until the occupation ends, the Israeli closures, curfews and checkpoints must end, as it is collective punishment according to the 4th Geneva Convention and creates daily suffering and poverty among the Palestinians;
· The extensive expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories is a violation of the 4th Geneva Convention, and should be dismantled without delay;
· The two-state solution with Palestine and Israel living side by side, within secure and recognised borders, as stated in UN resolution 1397, is an urgent priority. The Palestinian State must be viable, sovereign, and based on the 4th of June 1967 borders. There must be unrestricted access between Gaza and the West Bank, and unrestricted access to the sea. This is the outset for future justice and the prerequisite for future peace.
We commit ourselves to:
As World Alliance of YMCAs
· To work for the full implementation of International Law related to Israel/Palestine, as it is outlined above;
· To continue the co-operation with the World YWCA and to strengthen our common objective of working for Peace with Justice in Palestine and Israel, by supporting joint advocacy initiatives;
· To request the Secretary General and the Executive Committee, when organising themselves, to give consideration to creating the working capacity to co-ordinate such international actions;
· To conduct a meeting of the YMCAs in the Middle East for dialogue on the role of YMCAs in the conflict area and for co-operation amongst them. This meeting should be convened and facilitated by the World Alliance of YMCAs;
· This process should be documented in order to use it as learning tool in conflict situations in other parts of the world;
· To support and be advocates for appropriate initiatives with churches, ecumenical organisations, UN and others, which promote peace, justice and inter-faith dialogue.
As National Movements
· To promote education, understanding and dialogue within our national movements and our constituencies on the issues related to the root causes of the conflict and its effects on the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel;
· To carry out educational and solidarity exchanges between National Movements and YMCAs in the conflict area during the coming 4 years;
· To involve our National Movements in actions that emerge from the YWCA-YMCA joint advocacy initiatives, such as "the Olive Tree Campaign";
· To act on the request of the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel to advocate towards our own Governments, and regional inter-governmental bodies, where appropriate;
· To support the World Alliance in their initiatives related to the conflict.
As World Movement
· To listen, monitor and respond to the realities as expressed by our brothers and sisters in the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel;
· To conduct national and international campaigns to mobilise financial and technical assistance to strengthen the capacity and programs of the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel;
· To support the YMCAs in Palestine and Israel to be rallying points within their own constituencies in developing viable civil societies and democratic states.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
At the recently concluded World Conference against Racism, the issue once again surfaced. To the African, the issue of slavery has not been adequately dealt with. But this does not in any way deter the will of the African people to demand an apology and reparations. To the African, slavery is nothing short of a crime against humanity. Those who benefited from it, and their descendants must pay the price for the crime and not remain the beneficiaries that were so cruelly acquired. For, the question goes beyond one of acknowledging guilt. That, while important in itself, must be accompanied by compensatory actions that make visible the intent to repent through concrete actions. Moreover, reparations will ensure such crimes against humanity will not go unpunished. This is a matter where morals and ethics are involved.
The world has clearly not learned the lessons of slavery. Today, in many parts of the world, there are new forms and expressions of slavery. The consequence is untold suffering for millions of people. If the chain of silence over the past is not broken, slavery will intensify, find even newer forms and bring more misery and injustice to many more.
The YMCA as a Christian organisation has consistently stood against injustice and violations against human dignity. This is rooted in the Christian calling to "proclaim release to the captives". Recognising that the inheritors of the evils of slavery will always suffer, and the beneficiaries will remain economically privileged, the YMCA must engage in actions that will restore justice and dignity to the people of Africa. To this end, the YMCAs in Africa call for a campaign to.
1. Have YMCAs in Europe, USA, and Canada educate their populations especially young people about the continuing effects of slavery and colonialism and campaign for just and effective reparations.
2. Have YMCAs in Europe and North, America work towards debt cancellation to the poorest countries and ensure that the relief thus obtained will be channelled through churches, NG0s, and civil society groups. The YMCA must remain actively engaged in these processes.
3. Equip and capacitate YMCAs in Africa to gain insitutional strength through which they can serve the poorest in their societies. This action will need to be supported through solidarity in the form of resources, human and financial, from YMCAs in Europe and North America through carefully targetted educational and finance campaigns in recognition of their historical responsability.
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15th World Council of YMCAs - Mexico - 2002
The Council welcomes the announcement of a new Alliance of YMCAs of Latin America and the Caribbean which is to be formed in March 2003 in succession to the Confederation of Latin American and Caribbean YMCAs. When the Alliance is formed, it will be recognised by the World Council as the Area Organisation of the Latin American and Caribbean Area.
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