YMCA Public Reception

Dr. Park & Mr. Bill Harte Visit Bangladesh YMCAs

The President of Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, Dr. Park Jai Chang & Special Representative of the World Alliance of YMCAs and International Coordinator of Glasgow YMCA, Mr. Bill Harte, visited Bangladesh YMCAs from August 28 to September 01, 2008.

In their honor the Bangladesh YMCAs had arranged for a Public Reception on the evening of August 29, 2008 at the Catholic Bishop’s Conference Bangladesh (CBCB) Center, Mohammadpur, Dhaka.

At the reception Dr. Park mentioned in his address as Chief Guest that “We should seek for essence of the ecumenism and to keep that it into our minds when we ought to work in the society. He also mentioned that we have gathered here to strengthen the hands of the Bangladesh YMCAs to face challenges accepting the realities. He requested to the World YMCAs to come forward for the process of regularization of the Bangladesh YMCA movement.”

Mr. Bill Harte in his speech as Special Guest said that “We are so happy that the Bangladesh YMCAs is now on the track after long struggle for solving the leadership crisis. The World Alliance of YMCAs had been involved in this process and now wish to be involved for uniting all under the same umbrella”.

Mr. Joyanta Adhikari, President, National Council of Churches of Bangladesh, Dr. Dennis Dilip Datta, President, National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh and Mr. Nirmal Rozario, President, Christian Credit Union Ltd, Dhaka, were present as Special Guests and spoke on the occasion.

Opening devotion was lead by Mr. Rupchand Baroi, Vice President of the National Council, while Mr. Duncan Chowdhury, National General Secretary welcomed all the distinguished guests.

Ms. Rina Das and Ms. Joyce Moumita Das, President and the National General Secretary, respectively, of the YWCA of Bangladesh also expressed their solidarity with the YMCA. Mr. Babu Markus Gomes, Former Executive Committee Member, World Alliance of YMCAs, Mr. David Pronab Das, Founder President of Dhaka YMCA, Br. Jarlath D’Souza, Coordinator, Bangladesh Inter-religious Council for Peace and Justice. Mr. William Proloy Samadder, Mr. Eugine Reberio, Rt. Rev. Bishop Nibaran Das and Mr. Abraham T. Toppo and a host of others also spoke on the occasion.

Mr. Symon P. Adhikary, President, National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh presided over the Ceremony, while Mr. Patrick Sarker, Vice President expressed a vote of thanks to all.

Mr. Raymond Areng, Vice President conducted the ceremony.