We, the participants at the 10th AAYMCA OGM, under the theme “Point of No Return” held at the Royal Decameron Baobab Resort in Somone, Senegal from 2 to 6 June 2015, hereby approve the following Communique:
Acknowledging
Progress made in institutional reform and relevant programme development in the last four years;
Progress made in building a culture of constitutionalism, but noting the continued challenges in effective governance;
Our shared commitment to youth empowerment based on the SUBJECT TO CITIZEN (S2C) philosophy;
The declining membership and the quality of membership;
The unstable financial base of most national movements;
The need for uniform code of conduct to accompany our shared identity and collective actions as YMCAs in Africa;
Our membership in and immense contribution to the global YMCA movement; and
The changing demographic, economic and political environment in Africa and across the World;
Hereby agree to
Subscribe to a common Economic Model as the AAYMCA Secretariat and in national movements to be self-perpetuating and sustainable;
Pursue governance reforms to improve social relevance, accountability and sustainability;
Establish the African Renaissance University (ARU) as an alternative education model based on the S2C philosophy;
Commit to an African YMCAs Charter system of autonomous national movements for compliance and accountability;
Increased efforts and initiatives to draw in new members, retain existing, and development of all members giving value to their contributions of time and donations;
Be up to date on annual Fair Share contributions to AAYMCA; and
Increase efforts for inclusion and participation of women and young people as decision-makers in YMCA and in their communities
We recommend
Challenging ourselves to undo entrenched institutional culture and to adopt contemporary relevant practices that promote our shared Vision;
Establishment of a Permanent Fund with regular, annual contributions from member national movements;
Effectively communicate the impact of YMCA initiatives in our communities towards the empowerment of young people;
Collective action through initiatives at Zonal and Continental levels to increase visibility, reach and impact of YMCA work in Africa;
Practice professionalisation of operations and in service delivery; and the
Development of a clear position by YMCAs in Africa on the social space based on the Resolution adopted at the 18th World Council on Inclusive Social Spaces.
Source: www.africaymca.org
