Suomen Nuorten Miesten Kristillisten Yhdistysten Liitto ry

The YMCA is the largest youth organization in the world, established in London in 1844. Since the beginning, the wellbeing and livelihood of young people have been on the organization's agenda. Youths are still a target group for the organization regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, state of health or sexual orientation. Diversity and inclusion are core to the YMCA movement. The YMCA operates in more than 130 countries reaching more than 58 million people, and the organization holds a robust and independent status in the civil society in various countries. YMCAs around the world follow the same holistic approach towards young people: we care for their spiritual, intellectual and physical wellbeing. An open and global mindset are natural features of the YMCA. In Finland, the YMCA is also known as NMKY or Namika and its history of operation reaches back 129 years. Domestically, the YMCA first and foremost engages in professional and versatile youth work nationally through more than 30 local associations. The local associations carry out regional peace work in their own communities, where the youths are. The main activities include providing different hobbies for children and youths (sports, music, scouting, camp activities), youth work (outreach work, livelihoods support, open spaces for encounter and engagement), different services (family and immigrant services, clubs) as well as volunteering opportunities, leadership trainings and development cooperation. Peace work, understood broadly, is in the history and the DNA of this movement. The global YMCA network provides several participation, influence, and training opportunities in Finland and around the world. Through these participation opportunities, we create relevant paths to young people in various stages of their lives. The youths are provided training paths on local, national, and international levels. These opportunities enable young people to advance to various positions of trust and influence and participate in international events. By providing safe spaces, by building skills and confidence young people can play more active role and take lead roles in implementing activities. When communities and leaders see young people taking on leadership roles it might generate sustainable changes.