Asia

Ms. Sung Hee Yoo, General Secretary of the National YWCA of Korea, participated in the Citigroup-INSEAD Financial Education Summit 2006 on November 9-10 in Seoul, Korea. The summit focused on building the financial health of the younger generation and discussed the most effective ways to improve financial literacy among young people. Ms. Sung Hee Yoo shared the YWCA’s experience in teaching young people basic financial knowledge through their ‘Extended Financial Education for Youth - Think Money’ programme.

On 14 October, YWCA of Japan published a statement protesting North Korea’s nuclear test and called for a peaceful solution through dialogue.



In the statement, YWCA of Japan condemn North Korea for the nuclear test of 9th October as a threat not only to the North East Asia and to the whole world and urged Pyongyang to return immediately to six-party talks on abandoning its nuclear weapons programmes.

The National YWCA of Korea held its 36th National Council in Hong-Chun, Kang-Won province, in mid August, 2006.

The theme of the council was “Women: Wind of Life, Reviver of World!” YWCA delegates and observers from 55 local YWCAs, executive member of World YWCA, Taiwan board members, YWCA of USA, altogether nearly 1,000 women gathered together to form a vision of life-centered communities and map out a strategic plan for the next three years.

From 7 to 25 August 2006, The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women convened its thirty-sixth session at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Countries that are party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, legally commit themselves to ending all forms of discrimination against women, be they political, economic, social, cultural, civil or of any other type.

At least 23 church and ecumenical organization were directly represented in side events and civil society actions during the ministerial conference.

Women’s participation has become increasingly important. Many of them are taking up leading positions in the job market and the community. To understand the general public’s perception on woman leaders’ qualities and the most recognized woman leaders, the HKYWCA has conducted a survey from December 2005 to January 2006 on over 2000 people aged between 12-75. Opinions have drawn seven most important woman leader qualities and elected respective representing leaders.

One year afterwards, the Tsunami still haunts us because it was such an unusual occurrence, with untold horror and devastation. Close to 300,000 people lost their lives by the time the killer waves had done the damage and receded.YWCA of India worked for rehabilitation of the victims through the support mainly of YMCA-YWCA of Sweden, World YWCA, other YWCA’s and individuals.

The World YWCA is among 34 organisations to sign the letter of protest against the killing of trade activists in the Philippines. During 2005, over 30 people have been assassinated so far, including members of the clergy.

Five Japanese young people visited the World YWCA in Geneva, Switzerland on August 6, 2005 to share their message of peace and advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons worldwide.

Asian YWCA Regional Training Institute, July 10-16, 2005

Over 60 women from 14 countries met in Singapore to ‘Revisit the Past and Imagine the Future’ as they work to empower women and communities in Asia. Organised by the World YWCA, the Asian YWCA Regional Training Institute from July 10-16, 2005 explored the impact of globalisation and HIV/AIDS on women and girls throughout the region, and designed strategies for advocacy and action on these priority concerns. The Institute also strengthened participants’ skills in good governance, financial management, fundraising and strategic planning, in order to ensure YWCA leaders are equipped to respond to challenges facing local communities.