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YMCA
YMCA, sometimes regionally called the Y, is a worldwide youth organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It has nearly 90,000 staff, some 920,000 volunteers and 12,000 branches worldwide. It was founded in London on 6 June 1844 by George Williams (philanthropist), George Williams as the Young Men's Christian Association. The organisation's stated aim is to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit. From its inception, YMCA grew rapidly, ultimately becoming a worldwide movement founded on the principles of muscular Christianity. Local YMCAs deliver projects and services focused on youth development through a wide variety of youth activities, including providing athletic facilities, holding classes for a wide variety of skills, promoting Christianity, and humanitarian work. YMCA is a non-governmental federation, with each independent local YMCA affiliated with its national or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
George Williams (philanthropist)
Sir George Williams (11 October 1821 – 6 November 1905) was an English philanthropist, businessman and founder of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The oldest and largest youth charity in the world, its aim is to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities. Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria in her 1894 Birthday Honours. He died in 1905 and is buried in St Paul's Cathedral. He is a great-great-great grandfather of Boris Johnson. Early life and education Williams was born on a farm in Dulverton, Somerset, England, as the youngest of seven surviving sons of Amos Williams and Elizabeth Vickery. He was baptised into the Church of England. He came from several generations of farmers in Somerset, and attended Gloyn's in Tiverton, Devon until he was age 13, when he began working on his family farm. As a young man, he described himself as a "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow". For unknown reasons, his family s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Muscular Christianity
Muscular Christianity is a religious movement that originated in England in the mid-19th century, characterized by a belief in patriotic duty, discipline, self-sacrifice, masculinity, and the moral and physical beauty of Athletics (physical culture), athleticism. The movement came into vogue during the Victorian era as a method of building character in pupils at Public school (United Kingdom), English public schools. It is most often associated with English author Thomas Hughes and his 1857 novel ''Tom Brown's School Days'', as well as writers Charles Kingsley and Ralph Connor. American President Theodore Roosevelt was raised in a household that practised Muscular Christianity and was a prominent adherent to the movement. Roosevelt, Kingsley, and Hughes promoted physical strength and health as well as an active pursuit of Christianity, Christian ideals in personal life and Christianity and politics, politics. Muscular Christianity has continued through organizations that combine ph ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paris Basis
The Paris Basis is a group of principles guiding the relationships between individual YMCAs. Ninety-nine YMCA leaders of individual YMCAs from Europe and North America met for the first time prior to the 1855 Paris World Exposition to discuss the possibility of joining together in a federation to enhance co-operation amongst individual YMCA societies. This meeting resulted in the first World Conference of YMCA from 19 to 24 August 1855, and the creation of the Paris Basis which is still a guiding principle of the organization today. It was the idea of Frédéric Monnier, from the Paris YMCA, who having met Henry Dunant in 1852 had worked on plans for a basis of general union of local YMCAs around the world. The handwritten draft is held at the World Alliance of YMCAs headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland, and is believed to be the handwriting of Théophile Rivier, although it is understood that the handwritten draft differs from the final draft submitted to the Conference on 24 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
