Ban Ki-Moon, former UN Secretary-General and founder and Co-Chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, will be the keynote speaker at the 20th YMCA World Council in July 2022.
Speaking from his base in Korea, at 11:00 CEST on Tuesday 5 July he will address an in-person audience of some 1000 people in Aarhus, Denmark, and an online audience of some 1500.
He will address topics including the Covid pandemic, the Ukraine war, the challenges of working globally and consistently, and the centrality of young people in policy and practice.
“We are truly delighted to welcome Mr Ban”, said World YMCA Secretary-General Carlos Sanvee. “As a global organisation with a local presence in 120 countries and 12,000 communities, the YMCA has so much to learn from him about being ‘Global Citizens’ and coming together over a global vision, mission and priorities. We salute everything he has done and continues to do, and very much look forward to hearing from him and debating with him. Welcome in advance, Your Excellency!”
The In-Person Programme for the hybrid event is now established, with the Online Programme to follow in the coming days. Further speakers – especially for the six Engagement Panels on Mental Health & Wellbeing, Meaningful Work, a Just World, Climate Action, Digital Equity and Peacebuilding on 5-6 July, and for the ‘Endnote’ session on 8 July – will be announced shortly.
In-Person registration continues until 31 May; Online registration until 20 June. The YMCA World Council is the largest and most important shared space in the YMCA global movement.