During the brilliant 5 days in Berlin we covered a variety of subjects that were both new and current to some people in the group but also subjects that people had a considerable amount of knowledge on including: EU Youth Policy, Erasmus for All and European Youth forum, but then also gaining a scale of the history associated with Berlin through a tour of the Jewish quarters and a trip to the Berlin Wall Memorial, which for those who have never been is a truly moving place and monument.
There are many new things, subjects, ideas that I have learnt this week but one thing that really struck me is that everyone has issues in their country that everyone can relate to. There is no one who is different, everyone is together as one, doing their best to try and move forward together on youth policy both on their local, national and regional levels but learning fantastic knowledge about youth policy on a European level at the same time.
I have met some wonderful and knowledgeable people throughout my 5 days in Berlin and I am more than grateful to be involved in Youth Policy for the YMCA. This was only my second international experience, once again having created more links with amazing people and YMCAs from all over Europe; it helps me grow and makes me even more proud that I am a part of such an amazing and growing global movement.
One last note to mention is that on Saturday morning we began with Cees Bremner, National Secretary of YMCA Netherlands who stepped down from his position at the start of July. He ran a morning session on the Institutions of the European Union, where we found out about the Institutions of European Union which was very interesting, and I personally didn’t realise there were so many different parts to the policy side of the European Union.
This was a great way for Cees to pass on his knowledge of this subject but for those who have met Cees know he is a truly inspirational, knowledgeable and committed man whose positive work for the YMCA on all levels really has inspired a generation of YMCA members past and present. For this I thank him for the knowledge he has given me since I met him in Manchester, and again in Berlin this year.
So to finish with, something struck me on Tuesday night, as I sat there after a brilliant 5 days and look around the room. I saw a group of people here from different countries from all over Europe. It was a time to reflect whilst looking around you; you look at everyone one by one. You recognise all these people for who they are, you see that in the room, sat around you are a group of young people who have the passion, the fight, the determination to make a difference in the YMCA. At whichever level they want. Once again you realise, wherever your YMCA is or wherever you are from, this passion and fight is common in everyone and a series of conversations on the YMCA, life, views and personality. Throughout my time in Berlin I realised that these conversations are some of the best I have had all week with a group of very passionate young leaders from YMCAs all over Europe.
Tom Smallman
Participation and Engagement Worker
YMCA Worcestershire
