From the World Alliance of YMCAs regional perspective the growing use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) is part of a process of reflection and transformation that has brought a paradigm change to our traditional “pyramidal” organization.

The birth of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs (LACA) as a network of networks is the result of a complex social, cultural and political development that has promoted regional experiences for YMCAs not only as associations but also as popular movements.

At the same time, ICTs have been a key factor in reducing our operational costs and allowing decentralisation – three of our offices are now in different geographic locations. The organisation is more efficient, and more effective and diverse in its actions. For example, the general use of IP phones (Internet Protocol) has had a big impact in bringing down costs and at the same time allowing the development of dynamic, cooperative ways of working.

Another impact of ICTs is the virtual meeting and conference rooms run by LACA which provide support for working groups to develop, e.g. the Learning Network. The real and the virtual worlds aren’t contradictory; rather they are parallel and complementary. The world of images and sounds, that is changing at an ever increasing pace, is much more accessible to adolescents and young people, and this is very important.

The electronic forums that we use have been very important democratic spaces where YMCA members can express their opinions and share personal experiences and ideas on significant issues for the life of the Movement. The intergenerational dialogue that has taken place through these forums has also been an important experience.  The virtual communities and the electronic groups allow us to continue to foster relationships and interpersonal links even when we’re not physically together. Youth Network, Colleagues Community, and Ubuntu Group are all examples of this.

Faced with individual digital consumerism, we are encouraging people to organise themselves. Communication is what keeps networks and participatory processes going.

Radio Sur (www.radiosuronline.org) is a concrete example of this. This radio broadcasts through the internet in both real and delayed time, 24 hours a day. The programmes and musical slots are produced as podcasts by young people from different countries and other networks. We’ve learnt that there aren’t barriers; a social network such as LACA needs to systematically engage with other networks.

“Sinergianet” is another virtual platform developed by LACA that hosts, develops and supports long distance capacity building processes. Started in 2007, this platform is planning various courses that have developed as a result of good practice that has been mapped by others.

In our view the main challenge is to process changes in the minds and habits of people to allow more flexible ways of working that encourage active citizenship and transformational leadership styles at both local and global levels.

Miguel Blasco
Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs