Northern Ireland Education Minister, John O'Dowd, visited Greenhill today. This was arranged by party colleague Willie Clark MLA who accompanied him on the visit.

One of the key strategic goals of YMCA Ireland is to renew its base by involving young people in leadership roles both at a programme and at a governance level.  Offering practical and accredited training has been an important way of ensuring it meets this goal. Over the past three years a number of young people have been involved in trustee management training and programme leadership training. Both of these have been supported by exposing young leaders to the wider International YMCA family through participation in events in Prague, Norway, Sweden and Germany. A group of nine young people are in the final stages of completing a Leaders in Training course from local YMCAs in Cobh, Bantry, Ballincollig and Bantry. Another strategic goal over the past three years has been to work collaboratively with other organisations and it has been encouraging to see that this has led to the YMCA provide accredited training in leadership to nearly 20 young people from the Cork Diocesan Youth Council over the past two years.

At the end of 2011 Greenhill played host to 2 important international events. Firstly it was the venue for the first Joint Councils meeting of the UK/Ireland and Scandinavian National Secretaries conference. This conference was attended by representatives from England, Wales, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. National Secretaries discussed the international YMCA, shared challenges faced by movements, and possible joint actions by the 9 National Councils. 

Gladys Adams stepped down as YMCA Ireland President at our recent AGM after completing her 3 year term. Gladys will continue to be ust as active in the Movement with her commitments to chairing the International Committee, as Trustee at Lisburn YMCA and support worker with Antrim YMCA. At the AGM John Peacock paid tribute to Gladys' work as President and her graceful manner in committee and in all her work for the Movement. He thanked her on behalf of staff. fellow Trustees and the Movement for her incredible commitment and spiritual guidance.

At the end of October the National Assembly was held in the Emmaus Centre Swords. Delegates from 14 YMCAs including staff, volunteers, trustees and young people discussed the strategy required for the development of the YMCA movement in Ireland over the next 3 years. A summary strategy was approved after much discussion and this will now be finalised and put into action from 2012 onwards. The National Council strategy will now be devised which will fit with this vision. A copy of the paper is attached below

As part of the NYCI Youth Worker Exchange programme, local YMCAs have this week been hosting  Darius Musukwa from the Zambian YMCA. Darius is currently involved in the Lusaka street children project which provides a range of services aimed at helping young people get back into the educational system. As part of his visit, Darius will be meeting children, young people, staff and volunteers in a number of local YMCAs. Staff and volunteers from the Irish YMCA movement have been on study visits to the Zambian YMCA over the past number of years. 

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has officially opened a new youth facility, called YPOD in Aungier St.  YPOD is a joint initiative between City of Dublin YMCA and the neighbouring Carmelite Centre. The facility will allow for the expansion of City of Dublin's youth programmes in the area. The Minister acknowledged the contribution both organisations have made over many years to the local community. In her remarks she also emphasised the importance of collaborative working and sharing of resources between organisations at this difficult time.