YMCA Youth Seminar

	YMCA Youth Seminar 2009




	The YMCA Youth Conference of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh was held on 1- 3 October 2009 at the YMCA Training Center, Savar, Dhaka. 21 participants from 10 local YMCAs and 2 from Buskerud YMCA, Norway attend the seminar. The theme of the seminar was “Christian Leader in the eyes of God”. Symon P. Adhikary, President of the National Council of YMCAs of Bangladesh inaugurated the seminar. Babu Markus Gomes, Director of NCY Bangladesh and Duncan Chowdhury, National General Secretary, also spoke on the occasion. Guest of Honor Rev. Elling Erichsen from Buskured YMCA, Norway also spoke at the inaugural session.
			Symon P Adhikary inaugurating the seminar


	Words of Felicitation by Babu Markus Gomes		Duncan Chowdhury

	Father Benjamin Costa, Principal, Notre Dame College, Dhaka presented the key note address at the seminar, Rev. Martin Adhikary, Director, The Leprosy Mission, Bangladesh spoke on “Christian Faith and Identity” while Duncan Chowdhury, NGS spoke on qualities of Christian Leadership. Rev. Elling Erichsen from Buskured YMCA, conducted the seminar.
			Rev. Elling Erichsen


	Rev. Martin Adhikary		Fr. Benjamin Costa

			The participants took part in deliberations after each session and also met on group meetings and expressed their views in plenary sessions. The participants also heard, witnesses of the daily life of a Norwegian Youth and a Bangladeshi Youth in the sessions. This sharing was important to compare the daily lives of the youths of these two countries. They also shared their challenges and opportunities in the sessions.



			Fundraising was an important part of the seminar, a mini bazzar was set up by the participants where they sold some handicrafts they had brought with them, money was raised through auctions of some items. The participants could manage to raise an amount near to Taka 14,600 from the bazzar. It was decided to utilize this fund for procuring 20 sets of arsenic water filters and be distributed to the 20 needy families of Gopalgonj and Kaligram.Cultural Exchange Program was also an important part of the seminar, where the participants experienced the rich cultural performances of Norway and Bangladesh. The participants concluded the seminar with firm conviction to lead a Christ like life of relentless service, love, care and forgiveness.