The continuing basis of the work and witness of the Young Men’s Christian Association is expressed in the Paris Basis, as adopted by the delegates of the First World Conference in Paris in 1855, and reaffirmed by the 6th World Council of YMCAs in 1973.
In 1844 twelve young men led by George Williams founded the first YMCA in London, England. Their objective was the “improvement of the spiritual condition of the young men engaged in houses of business, by the formation of Bible classes, family and social prayer meetings, mutual improvement societies, or any other spiritual agency.”
Together with the other founding members, George Williams wasted no time in organising YMCA branches throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. Over the next ten years, YMCA Movements also began to develop across Western Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and India.
The idea of creating a truly global movement with an international headquarters was pioneered by Henry Dunant, Secretary of YMCA Geneva, who would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross and win the first Nobel Peace Prize. Henry Dunant successfully convinced YMCA Paris to organise the first YMCA World Conference. The Conference took place in August 1855, bringing together 99 young delegates from nine countries.
The Conference adopted the Paris Basis affirming the YMCA’s mission and purpose, and created the Central International Committee. The Committee operated without a headquarters until 1878, when a permanent headquarters and formal structure for the Committee was created in Geneva, Switzerland. This was a turning point for the Central International Committee that would eventually become known as the World Alliance of YMCAs.
The World Alliance of YMCAs is a confederation of 125 National YMCA Movements.
The World Alliance’s secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is led by the Secretary General who is supported by an international staff team. World Alliance work in the areas of advocacy, global programming, capacity building, and communications, supports and strengthens National and Local YMCAs to better serve youth and communities.
The World Alliance of YMCAs’ governance structure is as follows:
The World Council of YMCAs
This is the highest decision making body of the World Alliance. The World Council meets every four years, and is responsible for setting the policies and direction of the World Alliance, electing its Officers and Executive Committee, evaluating the work of the last four years, and deliberating on priorities for the next quadrennium.
Executive Committee
The 30 Executive Committee members, who represent a balance of age, gender and region, are elected at the World Council. The Committee meets each year to review the work, finances and personnel of the World Alliance, and is responsible for appointing the Secretary General. There are three Officers: the President, Vice President and Treasurer.
Members of the World Alliance of YMCAs
The World Alliance is accountable to its members, the affiliated National YMCA Movements.