From October 21 to 26, 2024, the YMCA World Accelerator Summit, dedicated to Vision 2030, was held in Mombasa, Kenya, bringing together over 400 delegates, including Change Agents, Youth Champions, Presidents, staff, and YMCA volunteers from across the globe. We were honored that our own YMCA Macedonia delegate, Natasha Darkov, was invited as one of three Youth Champions for the Youth Meaningful Work surveys, supported by Deloitte Australia. Natasha’s recognition is a great achievement, as she was one of only three selected out of 90 worldwide.
Meet Meaningful Work Youth Champion Natasha Darkov
The summit opened with a formal reception, hosted by the Secretary General of YMCA Kenya, where each delegate was individually welcomed. Attendees enjoyed an entertainment section showcasing Kenya’s rich culture, music, and traditions.
From the second day, plenary sessions focused on the Vision 2030 pillars: Sustainable Planet, Meaningful Work, Community Wellbeing, and Just World. Presentations included notable speakers such as the Secretary General of YMCA World and representatives from UNICEF, the United Nations, and Habitat for Humanity. A highlight of the day was the “Tatu Tatu” activity, which encouraged cross-cultural exchange by connecting participants from different countries to discuss specific topics throughout the week.
On the third day, delegates visited NGOs in Mombasa. Natasha chose SOTE HUB, a business incubator supporting startups in areas like digitization, agriculture, and climate change. Later, all delegates gathered at YMCA Mombasa for a meet-and-greet with their staff, learning about their programs and enjoying a cultural exchange segment, concluding with a group photo to commemorate the visit.
The fourth day focused on mental health awareness, featuring a mix of presentations and video messages from representatives in Hong Kong and Honduras. This led to specialized group discussions on Youth Meaningful Work, allowing delegates to examine research results and exchange insights. The day ended with an informal gathering for European delegates to share challenges, experiences, and opportunities for future collaboration.
The fifth day began with panel discussions featuring international representatives, followed by the final workshop session on Meaningful Youth Work. In the closing ceremony, awards were given for each Vision 2030 pillar. Our YMCA, alongside Western Balkans and Moldova, was nominated for contributions to digital hubs. Although the award went to the Jerusalem Rehabilitation Center, we were honored to stand among such esteemed finalists. The day concluded with a Gala Dinner hosted by Y’s Men International.
The final day offered delegates a chance to reflect, exchange contacts, and build lasting connections. Each morning began with a recap video capturing the best moments from the previous day, encapsulating the success of the Vision 2024 Summit. We look forward to fostering the partnerships and goals set during this summit as we work towards YMCA’s Vision 2030.
