Global Citizenship

In 2009 Coventry and Warwickshire YMCA is leading a new initiative in Global Citizenship. The aim of this initiative is to help young people gain a greater understanding of their place within world society, and to recognise their roles and responsibilities as part of a worldwide family.

It is becoming increasingly important for young people to be awakened collectively towards having a “global consciousness”, to allow them to face the challenges facing societies around the world today, and in the future.

The initiative was first proposed by Chairman Kenneth Holmes at the YMCA World Council meeting in Durban, South Africa in 2006. At this meeting the initiative gathered support from YMCAs around the world, and was taken further at a special forum of the YMCA Asia-Pacific Area Alliance in October 2008. Now CWYMCA is set to pioneer the new national Global Citizenship programme, with the intention of exporting this programme to other YMCAs across the country, as well as other organisations.

The next phase of the development of the Global Citizenship programme will take place at the YMCA National Assembly on 28th March. CWYMCA will be hosting a workshop during this event which will bring together members from YMCAs around Britain in order to develop the pilot curriculum module ready to be unveiled at a later date.

Youth worker Beth Zeen has also secured the support of Coventry Lord Mayor Andy Matchet, who has offered his endorsement for the initiative and the use of the St Mary Guild Hall, the Herbert Art Gallery and Coventry Cathedral
This October CWYMCA is planning to host a YMCA World Alliance Forum within Coventry, inviting delegates from all over the world to develop the Global Citizenship Programme into one that can be applied to young people all around the world.

For more information on the initiative, to share your ideas and to take part in helping present the programme, please contact Beth Zeen at the YMCA Community Centre (tel: 02476 682406, mob: 07958 623872).