"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." Challenge 21.

The average age of the founding members of the YMCA was 22. Nearly half of the world's population is under the age of 25. It is critical that the YMCA is truly a Movement with a "genuine involvement of young people." But are we?

The section What we found out presents the findings of a working group on youth leadership in the world-wide YMCA, highlighting the challenges and suggesting ways forward.

The section on World Council Resolutions shares resolutions on issues related to youth leadership that have been put forward by the world YMCA Movement

Click on Get connected! to explore how you can get in touch with other younger leaders.

May 2006