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World Council News #7 - Friday 19 June 2026 |
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One month to go until World Council starts! |
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The biggest event in the global YMCA calendar is in sight. 1300 people are coming, and over 100 partners and sponsors. We very much look forward to seeing you very soon.
This update brings you news of the 16 finalists for the YMCA Impact Awards, the 18 candidates for election to the World YMCA Executive Committee, and many more practical and programme details for the 21st YMCA World Council of 19-24 July.
While we continue to send all World Council registrants individual emails with specific detail, these bulletins and the World Council website contain as much information as they can. Please contact us at worldcouncil@ymca.int as needed. |
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Meet the Awards finalists |
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16 projects are announced as finalists for the 2026 YMCA Impact Awards |
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On Thursday 23 July, 4 winners will be chosen from the 16 finalists: one for each Pillar of Vision 2030.
Community Wellbeing finalists are from Australia, England, Singapore, USA. Meaningful Work finalists are from Sierra Leone, Palestine, Ghana, Scotland. Sustainable Planet finalists are from Togo, New Zealand, Cameroon, Nigeria. Just World finalists are from India, Madagascar, Japan, Mexico. |
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Meet the candidates for election |
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18 people are nominated for election as World YMCA Officers and Executive Committee members |
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We are electing a President, two other Officers, and 11 Executive Committee members from 7 regions.
All voting delegates - that’s about 120 people from 75 countries, will be invited separately to an information webinar on Sunday 28 June at 12:00 UTC, to learn how to vote using the Elections app. Delegates who are unable to attend the World Council in Toronto will have the option to vote online during the elections, so this webinar will be important for them, too. |
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The entire Movement is invited to meet our five candidates for ‘Officer’ positions (President, Deputy-President, Treasurer) on Wednesday 8 July at 12:00 UTC. Each candidate will present, and take questions from the audience.
The Officer candidates are Chris Lewis of YMCA Australia for President; Sarah Bremner (YMCA Scotland), Emma Osmundsen (YMCA England & Wales) and Ronald Senghore (YMCA Gambia) for Deputy President; and Laurie Skinner (YMCA Canada) for Treasurer. |
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300+ delegates attend the 2nd World Council information webinar, 28 May |
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Canada, travel, logistics and deadlines were the practical focus of the second information webinar. |
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The first World Council information webinar on 26 March also drew over 300 people to hear about governance, programming, and logistics for the event. |
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45 sessions & 150 contributors: what’s in store |
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From wellbeing to climate action, from peacebuilding to migration, World Council 2026 is holding bold conversations that reflect the YMCA’s role in today’s world and the future we are building together.
With 45+ sessions and 150+ contributors from across the YMCA alongside leaders from the private and public sectors, the programme will explore the realities shaping our communities, how YMCAs are responding, and what comes next.
Highlights include: A global flagship on Community Wellbeing with YMCA and external partners Climate action conversations with voices like MIT’s Professor John Fernández Real-world perspectives on migration, dignity, and belonging A forward-looking focus on young people and the future of work
Full session details will be available with the App launch in early July.
In addition, we’ll be holding ‘the Tomorrow Party’, where we come together to celebrate, connect, and look ahead as a global Movement. And of course there are the Vision 2020 Pillar Impact Awards as above, the graduation of the 6th Cohort of YMCA Change Agents, and daily Devotions: a special space for reflection at the start of each day. |
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Registration & information updates |
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Registration is now closed. The waitlist system of the last few weeks is also closed.
Delegates may still modify any details of their registration page (dates, flights, personal details etc.) up to 22:59 UTC on Sunday 21 June.
Every invoice for individual delegates’ attendance should now have been paid! Please help us manage our cash flow for this huge event. If there are any issues relating to invoicing or payment please email billing@ymca.int On or after 30 June, our chosen hotels will notify delegates of room allocations. World YMCA will also share details of translation arrangements (10 languages will be available through the Interprefy app), the code of conduct for the event (which every delegate must sign), and the spouse/companion programme. Allocations of Excursions will be communicated via the event App. |
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Please also see practical information on the website |
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The Exhibit Hall at World Council 2026 will offer a welcoming space for delegates, partners, and sponsors to connect throughout the event. The Exhibit Hall will feature partners whose expertise and tools can help strengthen and support YMCA initiatives around the world, alongside programmes and innovations from local YMCAs. It will serve as a central gathering point for conversation, networking, and learning. The space will be open from Wednesday to Friday. |
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World Council 2026 is made possible through the support of our valued sponsors and partners, whose commitment helps bring together YMCA leaders and changemakers from around the world. Their collaboration and shared vision strengthen the impact of this global gathering and support the future of the YMCA Movement. |
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Meet your Wednesday-to-Friday main stage co-hosts, ‘Mafe’ Giraldo and Jerahl Hall |
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‘The YMCA has been a huge part of my life and personal development.’ (Jerahl) ‘It’s who I am today: someone living out the calling I found through the YMCA.’ (Mafe) |
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Meet Ang Cuy, behind the scenes at the Welcome and Closing Ceremonies |
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‘Ultimately, ceremonies are about people. The technical elements, staging and performance are important, but what delegates remember is how they felt. If we can create moments that help people feel inspired, connected, entertained and proud to be part of this Movement, then we’ve done our job.’ (Ang) |
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Founders Day: our deepest desires for World Council |
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Led by YMCA Latin America & the Caribbean, 50 people from YMCAs around the world met on 6 June to pray for World Council, and to commit it - and all who will attend, and all who will watch it and care about it from afar - to God. The scripture from James 1:19–24 invited us to be ‘quick to listen, and slow to speak’: a call for humility, discernment, dialogue, and listening patiently and living kindly through our relationships and decisions, at World Council and beyond. |
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