Large numbers of the world’s population live in need. Social exclusion, poverty and a lack of opportunities are issues that affect a growing number of people living with the effects of the global financial crisis. Today, YMCAs operating in the urban context experience even greater challenges in providing a clear response to those who seek change in their lives and their communities.

And while we all face these challenges, some of our member YMCAs have found new ways to move forward with sustainable program models that ensure social relevance and return on investment.

The WUN along with WAY, area organizations and national movements, all focus on reaching more people, particularly our youth, to empower them to become key leaders that are willing and able to transform negative social realities.

Therefore, the WUN Conference in Madrid has chosen the theme of “Changing Lives, Moving Forward”, which will provide CEOs and General Secretaries with an opportunity to share, learn and develop new approaches and understandings with their world colleagues through three primary lenses:

1.            DIVERSITY AND INTEGRATION

We live and work in an interdependent world.  As YMCAs serving individuals, communities while building civil societies, we seek opportunities for all people, but especially for those that face challenges because of their culture, religious beliefs or ethnic backgrounds.

The WUN Conference will provide opportunity for CEOs and General Secretaries to share the issues faced by specific groups in their communities and discuss how they have developed a transformational social change strategy that has a solid business case for diversity and integration.

2.         GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

Planning for our sustainable growth has become a strategic imperative for most YMCAs. Social enterprises, asset leveraging models, joint ventures and strategic alliances are the new social and business models for both today and our future resource mobilization.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to learn how YMCAs have approached the development of these new business models in different social, cultural and economic environments throughout the world.             

3.         IMPACT AND COMMUNICATION

There is an increasing willingness among local, national and international bodies within our movement to improve the capacity to measure impact and communicate it in a manner that both engages people, particularly young people, and enhances our business and funds development models.

Participants will hear about some of our successes and be challenged to think of new ways to benefit through the proliferation of social media.