Editing YMCA (section)

=== 21st century ===
[[File:YMCA of Greater Moncton.jpg|thumb|A YMCA in [[Moncton]] in [[New Brunswick]], Canada in July 2007]]
[[File:YMCAUB.JPG|thumb|A YMCA in [[Ulaanbaatar]], Mongolia in August 2007]]

In 2002, the World Council in [[Oaxtepec]], [[Morelos]], Mexico, called for a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis. On 12 July 2010, YMCA of the USA rebranded its name to the popular nickname "The Y" and revised the iconic red and black logo to create five colored versions.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 July 2010 |title=World Alliance of YMCAs Issues Statement on YMCA USA Rebrand |url=http://www.ymca.int/newsroom/latest-news/world-alliance-of-ymcas-issues-statement-on-ymca-usa-rebrand/ |access-date=4 April 2011 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609035526/http://www.ymca.int/newsroom/latest-news/world-alliance-of-ymcas-issues-statement-on-ymca-usa-rebrand/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History of YMCA logo |url=https://www.greenbayymca.org/about/history/history-of-the-ymca-logo/ |publisher=Green Bay YMCA |access-date=6 January 2019 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106204251/https://www.greenbayymca.org/about/history/history-of-the-ymca-logo/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Today, YMCAs are open to all, regardless of ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic background.<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-08-08 |title=World YMCA celebrates International Youth Day 2018 |url=https://www.ymca.int/world-ymca-celebrates-international-youth-day-2018/ |access-date=2019-12-21 |website=YMCA International - World Alliance of YMCAs |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 19th World Council meeting in 2018 in Chiang Mai, Carlos Sanvee from Togo became the first African and current Secretary General of World YMCA. During the same World Council meeting, Patricia Pelton from Canada emerged as the first female President of World YMCA.

YMCA's 175th anniversary in 2019 was celebrated with a global gathering of the organisation's young leaders at [[ExCeL London]] from 4 to 7 August, with 3,200 people from 100 countries. The event celebrated youth leadership, and elevated the [[United Nations]] [[Sustainable Development Goals]].<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2019|title=The YMCA at 175: from a small drapery store to a global Christian youth movement|first=Rob|last=James|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-ymca-at-175-from-a-small-drapery-store-to-a-global-christian-youth-movement/132982.htm|work=Christian Today}}</ref> It was attended by guests including [[Jayathma Wickramanayake]] on behalf of [[Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth]], and [[María Fernanda Espinosa]], the [[President of the United Nations General Assembly]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Strub |first=Chris |title=YMCA Ambassadors From 100+ Nations Join in London To Commemorate 175 Years At #Y175 |date=18 August 2019 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisstrub/2019/08/18/y175/ |access-date=18 August 2019 |website=Forbes }}</ref>

In December 2024, the Central YMCA, located on London's [[Great Russell Street]] and recognized as the first YMCA in the world since its founding in 1844, announced its imminent closure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2024|first=Harry |last=Low |title=World's first YMCA in central London to close in February |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mv0vn821eo |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=BBC News }}</ref> The decision, attributed by the YMCA to high maintenance costs and demographic changes, was met with widespread dismay from members and the broader community. A petition to reverse the closure garnered thousands of signatures on Change.org, reflecting the significant public outcry. The Central YMCA had long been a cornerstone of the community, boasting extensive facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, exercise studios, and a cycling studio, making it the largest YMCA premises in London.
[[File:YMCA FLASH MOB 1.jpg|thumb|World's first YMCA closure protested by Village People flash mob in 2025]]
The closure also sparked criticism toward Criterion Capital, the property company who acquired the site. Campaigners alleged that the company's focus on commercial redevelopment conflicted with the YMCA's historical mission of providing affordable and inclusive services for the community. The "Save the YMCA" campaign emerged as a grassroots effort to halt the closure,<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2025|first1=
Olivia |last1=Demetriades |first2=Gem |last2=O'Reilly|title=Central London flash mob tries to save YMCA from closure |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrwrv0p8y5o |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=BBC News }}</ref> with supporters calling for a six-month pause to explore sustainable solutions for retaining the facilities. The campaign drew media attention, with coverage from BBC News and other outlets, highlighting concerns about the loss of vital community resources in central London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central YMCA face protest of flash mob |first=Caitlin |last=Maskell|url=https://www.westminsterextra.co.uk/article/central-ymca-face-protest-of-flash-mob |access-date=14 January 2025|date=10 January 2025 |website=Camden New Journal }}</ref>

Critics of the decision have argued that the sale of the premises to Criterion Capital or its affiliates undermines the YMCA's legacy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The gym as a cultural asset 💪 |url=https://camdenist.beehiiv.com/p/the-gym-as-a-cultural-asset|first=Tom |last=Kihl|access-date=14 January 2025|website=Camdenist|date=10 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Central YMCA: Historic English basketball venue facing closure |date=10 January 2025|url=https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/2024/central-ymca-historic-english-basketball-venue-facing-closure/|access-date=14 January 2025|publisher=Basketball England}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waterson |first=Jim |title=Merry Christmas, you're evicted |url=https://www.londoncentric.media/p/merry-christmas-youre-evicted |access-date=14 January 2025|date=12 December 2024|website=LondonCentric.media}}</ref> suggesting that the closure represents a broader trend of prioritizing private development over public good. Campaigners have urged Criterion Capital and its leadership, including the Aziz family, to collaborate on preserving the facilities, emphasizing the potential to reimagine the site while maintaining its original purpose of serving the community.