▲The World Alliance of YMCAs Organization

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) was established in 1844 in London, England by 12 young men who were in their early twenties. George Williams (1821-1905), the founder of the YMCA, was born on a farm in the south of England. At the age of 14, he moved to London to work in a draper’s shop. Industrialized London was fraught with vices and filled with turmoil and despair for the many young men like him who migrated there from rural areas. After laboring long hours, his co-workers would often indulge themselves recklessly in alcohol and unhealthy influences. George Williams was deeply troubled by what he saw and felt that it was important for these distressed men to be strong in mind and spirit. He gathered 11 friends from his shop and organized the first YMCA as a refuge for Bible study and prayer sessions where young men could be filled with the spirit of Christ. It was the objective of these 12 associates to improve the spiritual condition of young men and endeavor for the mutual improvement of society. On June 6, 1844, the YMCA was formed.

After its founding in London in 1844, the YMCA rapidly spread to other countries. In 1855, Henry Durant, born in Geneva, Switzerland and founder of the International Red Cross, called for the first ever International YMCA Conference which was held in Paris, France. Ninety nine young men representing 38 local YMCAs from 8 countries came together to partake in this historic gathering. The World Alliance of YMCAs was formed and the mission of the World YMCA movement that was to be known as the “Paris Basis” was adopted.

In 1973, The 6th World Alliance of YMCAs Conference was held in capital city of Kampala, Uganda. It was there that the Paris Basis was reaffirmed, while at the same time, the “Kampala Principles” were adopted which interpreted the YMCA mission statement to reflect contemporary realities in society.

More recently, “Challenge 21” was adopted in 1998 to further interpret the mission and purpose of the YMCA in light of realities that the world faces in the 21st century.

As society goes through periods of transformation, YMCA programs and services may change to meet new needs, however, YMCA always moves forward while endeavoring to fulfill the mission that its founding fathers envisioned and built the YMCA movement upon.

Paris Basis

“The Young Men's Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Savior, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men.

Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves, shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance.”

The Kampala Principles

Recognizing the character of the YMCAs in the world today, this act of acknowledging the Paris Basis places upon the various associations and their members as fellow workers with God such imperatives as:

1. To work for equal opportunity and justice for all.
2. To work for and maintain an environment in which relationships among people are characterized by love and understanding.
3. To work for and maintain conditions, within the YMCA and in society, its organizations and institutions, which allow for honesty, depth and creativity.
4. To develop and maintain leadership and program patterns which exemplify the varieties and depth of Christian experience.
5. To work for the development of the whole person.

Challenge 21