In 2019, YMCA’s landmark 175th anniversary year, YMCA will return to London – it’s founding city -and create a
global opportunity to celebrate and harness the energy, creative vision and solution-focused approach of
young leaders.
‘YMCA175’ will be a unique four-day event at ExCeL London from 4 to 8 August 2019, connecting thousands of
inspiring young leaders from around the world to share their vision and personal experiences of social
transformation to shape a positive and sustainable future for the world. Our very own Young Leaders Sam Bates and Lauren Blane will representing YMCA Fylde Coast at the event in August
When YMCA was founded in 1844, the vision of a 22-year-old young man grew to become the world’s largest
and oldest youth movement. Nearly 175 years later YMCA is now operating in 119 countries, with 64 million
people reached annually around the world.
Young leaders will attend YMCA175 as delegates and will be drawn from YMCAs worldwide to challenge,
debate and create new ideas and solutions to tackle the biggest issues that matter to them and the world.
YMCA’s significant global reach and impact, into the heart of local communities, has been recognised by
corporate, governmental and NGO partners around the world throughout history as critical for advancing
youth-centred change. It is as a result of this impact that the World Alliance of YMCA’s has consultative status
with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. These relationships and partnerships
will be further developed through the work of young leaders at YMCA175
