The road to Toronto: your World Council monthly update
World Council News #4 - 3 February 2026
We can officially say it - YMCA World Council is happening this year! Each month, we will share updates on the programme, governance and more to prepare you for July. With more than 1,200 people registered to attend, it’s going to be a big year.
Programme
Could you be a World Council facilitator?
On the final day of World Council in Toronto, we will host a YMCA ‘Tomorrow Party’.
This is a new and creative way to help us dream together about the future. We will ‘time travel’ beyond today and imagine futures shaped by our values, our commitment, and our connection to each other.
We are looking for people who would be excited to help bring this experience to life at World Council - and you don’t need to be an expert to do so. The Tomorrow Party will be multilingual, so language is not a barrier to applying.
Deadline: Friday 27 February 2026.
Visa Support & Guidance
Visa applications: an important next step
If you’re applying for a visa (but not an eTA, electronic Travel Authorisation), you must return to your World Council registration to add your Visa Application Number once you have it. This information is shared with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship, Canada) to confirm you as a registered delegate. It is critical for the batch processing of visa applications.
You will also need to have your World Council registration number at the ready.
Additional visa support, information and guidance
If YMCA Canada will host dedicated Visa ‘Office Hours’ (Q&A sessions) on 5 February, 19 February and 12 March, offering live, practical support to help you understand the process, required documents and next steps, and to ask questions specific to your situation.
Need more guidance? Read the information pages on applying for your Visa on the World Council website (and bookmark for future reference!).
Had your visa outcome? Once you receive a decision, please notify the World Council team so that we can update our records.
Dates for the diary
Sign-up for World Council information webinars
We are running two information webinars to share more details on World Council Toronto, including the Programme, practical arrangements, and what to expect as we get closer to the event.
The two sessions will focus on different aspects and updates of World Council, so we encourage you to join both.
French and Spanish translation will be available.
Thursday 26 March
13:00-14:30 UTC
Thursday 28 May,
13:00-14:30 UTC
Governance
Pending: A new World YMCA President, Officers and Executive Committee members
The World Council is the highest governing body of the worldwide YMCA Movement. On Tuesday, 21 July, we will elect a new World YMCA President, Officers and Executive Committee members. A motion to pass a Resolution on the YMCA’s 21st-century Christian identity will also be presented.
These moments matter - not just procedurally, but because they influence how we show up, make decisions and live our shared values across diverse contexts worldwide.
We will share information on election candidates in May, and host a ‘Meet the candidates’ webinar in June.
Your voices
Why World Council matters
Hear from those who are coming to Toronto about why they have loved previous World Councils, and what they look forward to this time around.
“The 2026 World Council will be a powerful experience that connects us to a shared global purpose. It will be a place to learn from others, be inspired, and stand united in Vision 2030”
Suzanne McCormick, Chief Executive at the YMCA of the USA.
“Across continents, World Council stands as a celebration of our shared mission to uplift young people. It brings thousands together to exchange ideas and shape the future.”
Issam Bishara, National General Secretary, YMCA Lebanon
Our hosts: YMCA Canada
Working with YMCA Canada towards World Council
World YMCA met with YMCA Canada in Toronto towards the end of 2025 to review progress in the shared journey towards World Council.
We are co-creating an experience that reflects both the global YMCA Movement and the local energy, insight and hospitality of our Canadian hosts.
World YMCA Secretary-General Carlos Sanvee shared:
“I leave this meeting encouraged, aligned and confident that we are co-creating an unforgettable World Council experience for our global YMCA Movement.”
From the archives
World Council has been a defining part of global YMCA history since the first gathering in Paris in 1855.
Each Council brings together voices from across the Movement to reflect, decide and recommit. The most recent World Council was in Aarhus, Denmark in July 2022: a landmark hybrid event following the Covid-19 pandemic, and the moment YMCA Vision 2030 was adopted as our shared global strategy. Watch the highlights below.
Toronto builds on that legacy, while looking firmly ahead.