THE POWER TO CHANGE
WORLD YWCA GLOBAL CAMPAIGN

giving women and girls the power to change their lives and communities

‘Our common purpose is the development of women leaders who commit themselves to work for change in their communities and beyond’

Musimbi Kanyoro
General Secretary, World YWCA

Amount raised so far by YWCA Scotland - £590.15

What is the Power to Change?
The Power to Change Campaign is a World YWCA fundraising strategy.
It was launched at the 1999 YWCA World Conference in Cairo and since then many national associations have signed up to it and have pledged or raised substantial amounts of funds. The aim is to raise $25 million ($1 per world member) to invest as a permanent endowment fund. The income generated from this will be distributed each year to YWCA associations to use as a resource to fund development and training in women’s leadership across the world.

Why should YWCA Scotland support it?
The World YWCA recognises that women have a unique ability to transform and change for the better their own lives, communities and societies. The YWCA gives women and girls a platform to discover their potential and to use their skills and knowledge. As a volunteer membership movement, women and girls find a unique place in the YWCA, a place where they can build relationships for life, contribute to their communities, and have opportunities to learn, lead and change the world. They can change the thinking and actions of entire generations – they have the power to change.

YWCA Scotland has set up a working group to devise a national strategy for our contribution towards raising funds for the Campaign. We aim to raise a minimum of £1 per member through local and national fundraising, 50% of all funds raised will go to the Global Campaign fund, and 50% will go to support local centres or national campaigns and activities. YWCA Scotland President, Gayna England and Vice President Kirsty Kelly are committed to raising money for the campaign in Scotland. They have spent the past few months visiting local centres and talking to local committee members and volunteers. Gayna says "visiting centres has made me realise that the work we do in Scotland is very similar to YWCA work in other parts of the world. We should be building and encouraging the link between the local and the global throughout our fundraising efforts.”

If you would like to get involved in fundraising for the Global Campaign you can contact YWCA Scotland or ask your local centre about any plans for local fundraising events. If you would like to support the campaign please fill in the donation form.