YMCA Europe Roots for Peace attended the European YMCA Mission Network Conference with the theme “Refreshed. Renewed. Moved.” held on October 20-23, in Vienna.  The Unify conference brought 120 participants from 15 different countries, celebrating Christian Unity together.

Opening the conference, the President of the YMCA Europe, Emma Osmundsen White, and Secretary General Juan Simoe Iglesias welcomed delegations and expressed gratitude for the outstanding job accomplished by Unify. They highlighted the importance of Christian values at the YMCA and emphasized Unify’s contribution to strengthening the movement.

The Unify conference was a safe space to talk, share, and listen. Alongside the Worship and prayers, participants had discussions and seminars. The program involved several sessions held by Keynote speakers such as Rotmi Benjamin from YMCA Heart of England, who spoke about being “renewed”. His speech was inspirational and enlightening in many ways, especially after the discussion participants had before the session about Psalm 23. Followed by Fredrik Glad-Gjernes from YMCA Norway, who conducted a session on “How the gospel moves us to social action”. The balanced program and the quality of the content had an incredible reviving effect on everyone.

YMCA Europe Roots represented by Irina Berdzenishvili also had the honor to conduct sessions during the conference. Participants learned about the Theory of Change and Do No Harm and obtained practical tips on how to use this knowledge in their YMCAs. During the presentation, they spoke about their perception of peace and how they imagine achieving it, followed by a prayer for peace and for those who need peace the most.

Apart from these, one of the most empowering activities was the prayer walk. 120 people in 14 small groups, spread in the streets of Vienna, praying together for peace and reconciliation, Christian unity, young people, children, elderly citizens, art, and education. Followed by the delightful ceremony at the cathedral, where participants from different delegations had a chance to pray in their languages.

The conference was closed by going back to the roots and committing to the Paris Basis. It was a great opportunity for everyone to grow in Body, Mind, and Spirit and become better people. We wish good luck to Unify on its spiritual journey to the roots of the YMCA.