17th World Council of YMCAs
Striving for Global Citizenship for All
Hong Kong, 19th - 24th July 2010
And
International Youth Forum
Hong Kong, 16th – 19th July 2010
Bulletin No.4 –June 2010
The 17th World Council of YMCAs and International Youth Forum will begin in less than one month! Almost 1,000 participants have now registered to take part in this historic meeting, on the theme of “Striving for Global Citizenship for All”.
- Programme Updates
- Opening Ceremony
All participants are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony that will take place on Monday 19th July at 4pm. Please note that the Opening Ceremony will take place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, opposite the YMCA of Hong Kong at Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, and NOT at the Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village. Transport has been organised to take participants from Wu Kwai Sha to the Cultural Centre, departing at 2pm.
On registration, all delegates will be given a name badge. It is essential that you wear your name badge to the Opening Ceremony – you will not be able to enter the Cultural Centre without it. When you arrive at the cultural centre, and show your badge, you will be given a ticket to enter to Centre and will be directed to your seat by volunteers.
Please note that all participants registered for the World Council will be invited to a dinner immediately after the Opening Ceremony, at the YMCA of Hong Kong. Participants will also need their name badges to join the dinner. It is just a 5 minute walk from the Cultural Centre. After dinner, buses will take back those staying at Wu Kwai Sha, City View and Park hotels.
Dress Code: Formal attire or national dress
- Skills Building Workshops
Three sessions have been allocated in the World Council Programme, from Wednesday to Friday, for skills building workshops and dialogues on cutting-edge issues that impact the work of the YMCA. Participants will be able to attend a different workshop each day according to their interests.
It is important that you register for your choice of Workshop for each of the 3 sessions – please go to register your choice of workshop which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For late comers, it will be possible to subscribe to workshops upon registration in Hong Kong. However, preregistered participants will have priority. Please do not register for more than three workshops, and not more than one workshop per day. Also, please respect that we cannot accept more than 40 participants per workshop. You may also visit the World Alliance website: for further information about the various Workshops. We appeal to all World Council participants to make best use of these workshops as they represent a unique occasion to learn and share good practices from the whole YMCA movement. We hope that they will pave the way for future collaboration and greater knowledge sharing across countries and regions.
Global Village
The Global Village will be a space where YMCAs can share their stories, photos, posters, publications, and even videos. All National Movements who have registered for a space at the Global Village have been contacted directly with details of the facilities and equipment that will be available. Please note that there is still space available in the Global Village – but priority will be given to National Movements that have already registered. Please note that Movements can begin setting up their displays on 18th July – everything will need to be removed by the evening of the 24th July. The images below give you an idea of what will be available:
Exhibition stand- 2m by 2.2m
Table – 2m x 1.2m
For more information please contact:
- Chinese and International Cultural Night
On Wednesday 21st July, there will be a spectacular cultural evening with performances from YMCAs across the globe, together with traditional Chinese arts including the Chinese Lion Dance, a Kung Fu Dance, Chinese Opera and Chinese Diabolo.
- Social Exposure Visits
The social exposure tours will take place onThursdayafternoon 22nd July at no extra cost to registered participants. There are sixteen different exposure tours on offer. Many participants have already indicated their preferred choice by sending the registration form (available on our website) to . Those who do not let us know their preferred option will be allocated a tour randomly. For more information and the full list of exposure visits please visit:
- Cultural Exposure Workshops
Throughout the conference, the YMCAs of Hong Kong are organising a series of cultural exposure workshops that can be enjoyed by participants, spouses and children. Workshops include: Chinese Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, Chinese Knotting, Tai Chi. Details of the cultural programme are attached with this bulletin.
- World Council Workbook
On 17th June all delegates were sent a PDF version of the Workbook via email. An electronic version of the Workbook is also available on the World Alliance website: A printed copy will also be provided to each participant at registration.
- The International Youth Forum
The World Council meeting will be preceded by an International Youth Forum to be held from the 17th – 19th July in the same venue. We are expecting over 400 young people to participate. The Youth Forum will assert the need for global citizenship as a framework that could help young people to address contemporary global challenges and strengthen the momentum to ensuring the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals. The Youth Forum also provides training to prepare youth delegates for active participation at the World Council.
- Festival of Good Practices
The Festival of Good Practices will take place on both the 17th and 18th July – and offers participants a choice of fifteen different workshops to build their skills in youth leadership development, and on MDG issues including gender justice, supporting youth livelihoods, climate change, and youth participation in the fight against HIV.
- Public Concert
As part of the Youth Forum, on the evening of 18thJulyat 5pmwe will host a free music concert at Victoria Park (approximately 1 hour by bus from the Wu Kwai Sha Village); it will be open to the general public, and include performances from popular artists from Hong Kong, Ghana, and Malaysia, well known for focusing their music on burning global issues such as the environment.All World Council participants are also invited to attend.If you arenotregistered for the Youth Forum but would like to go to the concert,please kindly o that transport can be arranged.
- Youth Media Team (YMT)
Do you have media experience or want to gain some and learn what it is like to cover a dynamic international youth event? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you. It will be hard work, but it will be fun.
The YMT will be responsible for covering workshops, events and any other Youth Forum related aspect they wish to report on. Most of the reporting will be showcased on our customized blog and will feature videos, editorials, photos and podcasts- all content youth driven and youth created.
The Process: If you are interested in joining the team please take 5 minutes to fill out the following application form:
so that we can make sure you are comfortable and well placed. You will be notified in early July regarding placements assignments, briefing packets and expected meeting timelines.
Don't forget to visit our facebook page at:
- Share your YMCA’s campaign messages
All participants at the International Youth Forum are invited to bring a souvenir from their National Movement – ideally some form of clothing like a hat, t-shirt, or bag that displays a campaign message. It might be a message about climate change, HIV/AIDS, unemployment, gender, poverty, health, culture, violence. You are invited to wear these items on Saturday 17th July at the Opening of the International Youth Forum, where you will have the chance to share your campaign messages with other young people. We hope it will spark the sharing of experiences, good practices and inspire new global campaign ideas.
- Pre- and Post-Conference Tourism & Spouse Programmes
Pre Conference Tours & Spouse Programmes are still open for registration. Tour information will be available at the tours counter at the Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village during World Council. At present, due to the number of registered participants, only one post- conference tour (Beijing/Xian) will go ahead. You can find more information on this tour on the World Alliance website:
China Visa Applications
Participants who plan to visit China after the World Council will need a China Entry Visa. It is possible to apply for the visa in Hong Kong, through China Travel (Hong Kong) Service Limited, the same company that provides the tours. However, we suggest that participants apply for their visa before arrival in Hong Kong, as in some cases, it is cheaper to apply in their home country.
For the China Entry Visa application in Hong Kong, China Travel (Hong Kong) Service Limited offers a passport pick up service from your hotel at 10:30AM in the morning. Once the visa has been processed, it will be delivered back to the pickup location before 6:30PM.
Participants are required to provide the following:
1.Original passport
2.One passport-sized photo (Blue Background & Glossy paper, 1 X 1.5 inch)
3.Business Card
They will also need to fill out a Collection Service Registration Form. The price for China Entry Visa applications varies according to the country of citizenship. The list below shows the prices for individuals who are currently registered for the post-conference tour. Prices for other countries can be provided upon request.
Australia/Canada/Norway:
*Half day express: HKD$ 1530
2 working days: HKD$930
3 working days: HKD$560
4 working days: HKD$360
UK:
*Half day express: HKD$1950
2 working days: HKD$1350
3 working days: HKD$900
4 working days: HKD$600
USA:
*Half day express: HKD$2470
2 working days: HKD$1870
3 working days: HKD$1530
4 working days: HKD$1180
For further enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Olivia Chan or Mr. Eric Wong,
International and Mainland Affairs Section,
Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2783 3375
- Practical Information
Arrivals and Airport Transfer Service
Participants who are arriving as of the 14th July, and have provided flight informationby June 30, will be met at the airport by YMCA staff and volunteers. Those arriving on 14th July will be directed to use public transport services. As of the 15th July, those staying in one of the four conference venues - WKS Youth Village, City View, Royal Park, and Salisbury can take advantage of the airport transfer service organised by the Hosts.
For those of you who do not provide arrival information, or who wish to make your own way, we include below the public transport directions to the various conference hotels and Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village:
From the airport to the Salisbury- YMCA of Hong Kong and The City view Hotel
Participants can take the Airport Express train from the airport to Kowloon MTR station. (For more information: The Airport Express train takes passengers to Down Town/ Central in just 24 minutes. Quick and comfortable, trains depart at 12-minute intervals from 0550 to 0115 daily. Passengers can also enjoy the free shuttle buses from the airport to most major hotels (City View and the Salisbury YMCA of Hong Kong – for Salisbury use K2 and get off at Kowloon Hotel stop, delegates for City View can take K5 Bus at Kowloon station). Taxis from the airport to City View hotel and the Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong will range from HK$230 – 240.
From the airport to Wu Kwai Sha Youth village (WKS)
Two buses are available from airport to WKS: Bus Fare – HK $ 26.10.
a) for those arriving before 12 Midnight - A41P bus and stop atVilla Athena or Bay Shore(where Ma On Shan Plaza is located), 10 minutes walk or take a taxi to WKS, about HK $20.
b) for those arriving after 12 Midnight - N42 bus and stop atVilla Athena or Bay Shore,10 minutes walk or take a taxi to WKS for about HK $20.
From the airport to the Royal Park Hotel
Participants can take either Taxi (Red) or Bus A41P. Get off at the Royal Park Hotel - next stop after Sha Tin Bus terminal. For more information:
(ataxi from the airport to Royal Park hotel is around HK$ 250)
Accommodation – WU KWAI SHA Youth Village
Please note your accommodation fees for WU KWAI SHA Youth Village MUST BE SETTLED IN ADVANCE. No room keys will be issued unless payment for room occupation has been paid in full.
As indicated, this is not hotel style accommodation but every effort has been made to reserve you the type of room requested. This was done on a first come first served basis.
You will be given a small welcome toiletries pack together with a free towel. If you require extra towels or other toiletries packs during the week, these may be purchased for a very small fee at the Information Desk.
Shuttle Bus arrangement for City View Hotel and the Salisbury YMCA
For the convenience of delegates staying at the City View and the Salisbury YMCA, a shuttle bus to and from Wu Kwai Sha Village has been arranged. However, delegates will have to pay their own bus fares.
Registration
Please note that any outstanding registration fees must be paid prior to registration. THERE ARE NO FACILITIES TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS – so please effect settlement in cash or by bank transfer before departure.
Please ensure that you register with the Secretariat upon arrival at Wu Kwai Sha (unless your National Movement has arranged external registration at outside hotels).
When you register you will be given a Conference Pack including a map of the Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village, and a detailed programme with timetables and room allocation for the various sessions and workshops.
Meals
Youth Forum
- Meals are included from dinner on 16th July until lunch on 19th July.
World Council
- Meals are provided from 19th-24th July inclusive. For those staying on site this will include breakfast, lunch and dinner plus 2 tea/coffee breaks. For those participants staying in alternative hotels only lunch and dinner plus 2 tea/coffee breaks will be provided.
Note: If your accommodation exceeds the 6 days of the conference (19-24) and you wish meals to be provided you will have to purchase meal tickets from the secretariat or choose one of the many bistros or restaurants outside the Village.
Name Badges
Please wear your name badge at all times prominently to ensure access to the Youth Village and meals in the Canteen.
Internet Facilities
An internet café will be available for use outside the programme session times. Additionally WIFI will be available in the main business venues in the Youth Village.
Information Desk
An Information Desk is situated in the Secretariat Office next to the Plenary Hall. You will find local tour information, transport information, lost property, and other information about the Youth Village etc.
Health
Travel Medical Insurance
All participants should ensure that they have full health cover. If for any reason you are unable to obtain travel medical insurance, please contact the World Alliance and we will try to assist.
Vaccinations
For travel to Hong Kong and China, please consult your local doctor to discuss what preventative measures are recommended.
Climate
The Climate in Hong Kong during July is hot and humid with average temperatures between 32c (90F) and 27c (81F). Regular downfalls of rain can be expected with some high winds.
What to Wear
An umbrella can be used both for the frequent downpours, but also as protection from the intense sun.
A light sweater is useful as everywhere in Hong Kong is air conditioned.
Light cotton T-Shirts are useful in the humidity.
Need to Know
First time visitors should be aware of the humidity, and be sure to drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration.
Be sure to use sun cream protection.
You are advised to bring mosquito repellent.
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Hong Kong.
It is possible to change money at the airport and in several places close to Wu Kwai Sha – participants can refer to the information desk at Wu Kwai Sha for details.
Formal wear it is not required at Wu Kwai Sha.
If you have reserved accommodation independently at another hotel (not one of the Conference hotels), please contact them directly to deal with your reservation.
25thJune 2010