World YMCA Accelerator Summit in Mombasa, Kenya

In March 2023, I was chosen to represent YMCA Ireland as one of the 120 World YMCA Change Agents . The Change Agents programme seeks to uplift young people and emerging leaders across the YMCA Movement to collectively lead change, create local solutions to the challenges they face, and deliver impact on YMCA Vision 2030 in their local communities and throughout the world.

This year, the graduation ceremony was held in Mombasa, Kenya, in line with the inaugural World YMCA Accelerator Summit. YMCAs across the globe came together to reflect on our progress with Vision 2030 that was established at the most recent World Council Summit in Aarhus, Denmark. My time in Mombasa was truly life-changing, and the various workshops, experimental visits and team-building has transformed my capacity for advocacy and youth-led solutions. I will never forget the memories I have made together with my fellow change-agents, and I know that we have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

The city of Mombasa was absolutely remarkable, and the hospitality and generosity provided by the Kenyan people was second to none. Thank you to Belfast YMCA for this amazing opportunity, and thank you to the country of Kenya for hosting us on this trip. A truly life-changing experience.

Matthew