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World YWCA message

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Assembly
14 February 2006
Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2006, February 14-23, WCC ninth Assembly
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

Greetings to the World Council of Churches' 9th Assembly from the World YWCA and World Alliance of YMCAs

My name is Lourdes Saad Olivera and I come from Argentina, where I am a member of a local association of the YWCA of Argentina. I just returned home from a year internship in Geneva with the World YWCA.

I am happy and honored to bring greetings to this 9th Assembly on behalf of two organizations, the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs. Both of these organizations have been in existence for over 150 years and both were instrumental to the formation of the World Council of Churches and continue to participate in the Ecumenical Movement in various ways. Both have participated strongly in the Reconfiguration discussions, in the formation and leadership of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, and also continue to serve on various World Council Committees and Working Groups. Our movements also share with the World Council of Churches relationships with the same ecumenical donor agencies. We hope to bring whatever we learn from this Assembly to the World Alliance of YMCAs Assembly which will take place in Durban, South Africa in July 9- 16 2006 and the World YWCA Assembly to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, July 1-12, 2007.

The YWCA and the YMCA believe in the leadership of young people. We therefore congratulate the World Council of Churches for giving this Assembly a specific emphasis on young people. We urge all those present in this Assembly to make financial resources available for youth work. The future of the Ecumenical Movement requires investment in the development of young leadership now. You cannot wait for tomorrow.

As a young woman I would like to make a special plea for the inclusion of young women in decision-making and in programmes. I specifically would like to appeal that churches consider enabling young women to overcome obstacles that stand in our way for utilizing our gifts for the benefit of the church and society.

The YWCA and YMCA wish you a successful Assembly, fruitful deliberations, discussions, and exchanges. May the grace of God enable us to transform our world!

Thank you. 

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