World Alliance Secretary General, Dr. Bart Shaha meets UN Deputy Secretary General, Louise Frechette - 2005

The World Alliance of YMCAs has had consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)  of the United Nations since 1947. This enables the World Alliance to attend meetings of the United Nations and make representations through written and oral statements The World Alliance regularly makes statements at the Commission on the Status of Women (New York) and the Human Rights Council (formerly the Commission on Human Rights) in Geneva and attends many UN conferences and commissions.

May 31, 2007

Commission on the Status of Women

Joint NGO Statement

to the 51st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

on Sex Trafficking and Prostitution of Women and Girls

Extract of the report:

Two million girls, aged 5 to 15, are initiated into the commercial sex industry each year.     Trafficking, prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation are inextricably linked: the demand for prostituted girls and women is the engine that drives the worldwide crisis of sex trafficking.  The demand is fueled by such factors as gender inequality and female poverty; the presence of the military in many parts of the world; racial myths and stereotypes; national and international economic policies favoring globalization; and countries in financial and political crisis. Under these conditions, the girl child is increasingly vulnerable to the growing reach of the global sex industry.  Traffickers and pimps exploit girls seeking to improve their lives through employment, migration or other opportunities.  They treat them as commodities to be bought and sold over and over, and to be repeatedly raped by the countless buyers they are required to “service” in prostitution. 

You can download the full report below  in Pdf format. (final and oral report)

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Human Rights Council

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Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestininan People

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Signatures of the Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF, Left to right:Dr. Bart Shaha, Secretary General of the World Alliance of YMCAs, Peter Crowley and Andres Guerrero, UNICEF

The World Alliance has a close and active relationship with UNICEF which was formalised in March 2006 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The aim of this alliance is to "support programmes, activities, events and networks that will enhance the development of youth leadership and the meaningful involvement of young people in creating a more just and peaceful society." The alliance focuses on 3 areas in particular:

1. HIV/AIDS

2. Basic education and gender equality

3. Protection of children

The agreement opens new doors for National Councils of YMCAs and UNICEF country offices to work more closely together at national level. Many have already started to do so.

In Uruguay for example, the YMCA, supported by UNICEF, has broadcast live programmes from Montevideo run by young YMCA leaders to raise awareness about AIDS prevention. Groups of young people from other parts of the country are able to tune in and send messages during the broadcasts. The YMCA hopes to include weekly podcasts from young leaders in Peru, Colombia and Mexico in future radio programmes.

In Togo the YMCA and UNICEF are planning to draw up a MOU at national level.

In Argentina the YMCA and UNICEF co-operate closely. Most recently they co-ran a National Encounter of Children and Young People at the National Senate.

It was the culmination of the children's and young people's parliaments that had taken place during the year in each locality, which debated national legislation on education.

Other YMCAs already liasing with UNICEF to promote children's rights include Costa Rica, East Jerusalem, Korea, Panama, Senegal and Trinidad and Tobago.

For more information visit :

UNICEF 

In 2006 we signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the UNICEF

(see below)

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YEN - Youth Employment Network

This is a recent collaboration between the United Nations , the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Bank. It brings together governments, technical experts and youth organisations. Its aim is to support governments to draw up National Action Plans to promote youth employment. So far 20 countries have committed to this. Through the YEN, youth organisations, including the YMCA, can influence these national action plans.

The World Alliance has a rotating seat on the Youth Consultative Group which advises the technical experts for YEN.

For more information visit:

Youth Employment Network

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UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

The World Alliance has operational relations with UNESCO, the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation whose headquarters is in Paris.

The World Alliance is able to be present at meetings of the International NGO Committee in liaison with UNESCO. The World Alliance is represented by YMCA France at UNESCO meetings relating to youth concerns in Paris

For more information visit:

UNESCO

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Conference of Non Governmental Organisations (CONGO)

Ms Renata Bloem, Former President of CONGO, Jenny Fretheim, Executive for Communication (World Alliance of YMCAs ), Mr Ricardo Espinosa, UNOG/NOGO Liaison Officer

The Conference of NGOs in consultative relations with the United Nations (CONGO) is an independent, international association of 300 non- governmental organisations which have consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. CONGO facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. 

The World Alliance is a member of CONGO, working to increase the NGO voice at the UN.

In 2008 the World Alliance was elected to the 19 member Board of the Conference of NGOs, directing its activities.

The World Alliance of YMCAs is co-chair of the CONGO Committee of Youth Organisations which promotes information sharing and networking between youth organisations in consultative relations with the UN. It also co-ordinates youth organisations involvement with certain UN agencies and organises specific joint activities such as discussions with UN agencies.

For more information visit : CONGO

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September 04, 2007

Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference, Geneva (27th to 31st August, 2007)

Sophia Gergis at the United Nations

World Alliance of YMCAs Oral Statement to the Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference, Geneva (27th to 31st August, 2007)

Item 5: Objectives of the Durban Review Conference

Mrs. Chairperson,

As part of its mission, the world-wide YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) is committed to promoting dialogue and partnership between peoples irrespective of race, religion or gender.

Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are themes that YMCAs in 124 countries are tackling in their daily work, particularly with young people. Our organization strives to eliminate all forms of racism and work towards a society characterized by justice, unity and peace.

As a youth organization, the YMCA strongly believes that any effort to target racism should pay special attention to younger members of society, to instill the concept of tolerance and the value of diversity at a young age, and thus prevent discrimination. Education is an essential and effective means to combat ignorance and discrimination and promote respect and harmony.   

Therefore, we call on the Durban Review Conference to include as a key objective the important role that young people play in overcoming all forms of discrimination and intolerance.

Thank you, Mrs. Chairperson.

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