YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park to Host 18th YMCA World Council

ESTES PARK, Colo., June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer the YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park will host more than 1,300 YMCA delegates from more than 80 countries during the 18^th World Council event June 29 – July 5. The World Council meeting dates back to 1855 and occurs every four years to coordinate the YMCA movement worldwide. For the first time since 1981, the meeting is returning to North America and taking place at the Estes Park Center.

"This is an incredible event that brings together people of all languages, cultures, backgrounds and histories for a common civic and faith-based goal," said Kent Meyer, President & CEO. "For the worldwide YMCA movement, this is like the Olympics - one of the single most important international events that will take place in the next four years. For Estes Park, this huge conference is a much-welcomed infusion of international visitors to the community. We are prepared for a fantastic week of collaboration, inspiration and youth empowerment."

The delegates from around the world will gather for a week of inspirational speakers, including Gabrielle Scrimshaw, co-founder of the Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada and the First Aboriginal woman to speak at TEDxToronto. In addition to exciting speakers, the council will hold executive committee and officer elections, while also working on the renewal and creation of World Alliance policies. Finally, the delegates will collaborate on the YMCA's global priorities for the next four years: "Empowering Young People " and how the YMCA Movement can impact the 1.8 billion young people living in the world today. 200 'Global Change Agents' between the ages of 18-30 have been selected to lead group sessions and to return home to empower youth in their communities and countries.

Also as part of the World Council, YMCA delegates will embark on various civic engagement excursions around Colorado. These events will range from helping maintain and promote Rocky Mountain National Park, to visiting the Colorado State Capitol to meet with Youth In Government ambassadors, to working with YMCA officials in Longmont on Hispanic youth engagement.

"These excursions are a critical part of the overall World Council experience because they offer the YMCA delegates a chance to enact the YMCA mission in local communities," continued Meyer. "The Colorado YMCAs have been essential is helping us make these connections across the state for our delegates."

To learn more about the 2014 World Council taking place June 29 – July 5 at the YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park, please visit http://2014.ymca.int

SOURCE YMCA of the Rockies