Dear friends,

Two-thirds of the worldwide YMCA leadership met online last week: the themes were COVID – what we are still doing and will do for as long as it takes for Recovery, and what we are starting to do for Reimagination – and also the way that the pandemic has exposed the underlying faultlines of poverty, inequality, vulnerability and discrimination in our societies, as the areas that YMCA must work on.

As we shared ideas at the global level, we all know that everything ultimately comes down to YMCAs on the ground at the local level. The global YMCA and the Area Alliances and the 120 national movements exist to serve their local members and be relevant to their needs. And right now, our thoughts are with our colleagues in YMCA Myanmar, where we have been present for 70 years in Yangon and in 17 local YMCAs across the country, serving an estimated 120,000 people every year. Three of our colleagues - Nyein Nyein Myat, Phyo Thiri and Su Su Kaing - have been arrested, but thankfully released.  But one - Ronnie Lyan, the General Secretary of Hakha YMCA - remains under arrest since 10th February. We keep Ronnie and his family, and all the young people of Myanmar, in our prayers, and continue to do all that we can to secure Ronnie’s release.

Carlos Sanvee, Secretary-General, World YMCA