News 4-2010

Outcry of youths in the Gaza Strip

Four years after the seizure of power by Hamas and two years after the bombing by the Israeli army the situation in the Gaza Strip is still dramatic. The population continues lacking basic necessities even though the total blockade has been loosened partially. Building materials are especially difficult to obtain and as a result, many buildings damaged by the bombardment are not repaired or cannot be rebuilt even two years later. Since hardly any entry and exit permits are issued, the population is virtually cut off from the outside world. However, that is still not everything. The radical Islamist group Hamas strongly limits the freedom of the people in Gaza too.

Especially children and young people – half of the population in Gaza is under age – are suffering from this situation, for which they are not responsible. Recently, a group of teenagers published an anonymous manifesto called “Gaza Youth Breaks Out” on Facebook and Twitter. In this document, the youths express their frustration and criticize the Israeli occupation as well as Hamas and the international community. Here you can read the corresponding newspaper article which appeared in The Observer on January 2, 2011.

YMCA Gaza also is committed to children and young people in the Gaza Strip and offers them safe surroundings where they can do sports, play, dance or pass the time otherwise. Each week, several hundred children and young people are able to benefit from these possibilities. Find out more about the project on our website or help children and young people to continue enjoying some hours of peace in their everyday life here.

Olive tree planting in Palestine

The Joint Advocacy Initiative (JAI) from YMCA and YWCA Palestine and the Alternative Tourism Group (ATG) invite you once again to take part in this aid project by planting olive trees in Palestine from

5 - 14 February 2011.

An interesting program with the possibility to meet locals and visit informative events enables you to get a deeper look at the situation in Palestine.

For a detailed program and registration, please visit the JAI website:

Information in Switzerland: Adamo Antoniadis (adamo.antoniadis@horyzon.ch, 062 296 62 68).

Obituary for Rémy Wyler
(1923 – 2010)

On 5th October 2010 a great number of mourners took leave of Rémy Wyler in the church of Vandoeuvres in Geneva, Switzerland.

With the passing of Rémy, YMCA Switzerland has lost a committed personality famous for his charisma. His dedication and efforts to make the world a more equitable place made him well-known not only within YMCA Switzerland but also among the worldwide YMCA community. Among other functions, Rémy had been a member of the executive committee of the World Alliance of YMCAs for 16 years.

Additionally, Rémy worked in various roles for the national association of YMCA Switzerland as well as for several local associations. From 1962 until 1974, for example, he acted as the president of the committee of YMCA Switzerland.

With the foundation of the agency “Tiers Monde” in the year 1970, Rémy had laid the base for the later “YMCA World Service” and today’s “Horyzon” foundation. He explained his commitment for the young as follows: “I believe that dedication for the young is crucial for the development of the Third World and it might be the best investment that we can make in order to pave the way for a world that is more benevolent and more equitable.”

Rémy put heart and soul in his mission to serve the underprivileged of this world. Regardless of his age he expressed his Christian belief impressively while striving for a better world. In doing so, he was a role model for many people.

Horyzon and its partner organisations owe a lot to Rémy, very much indeed. Horyzon has lost its founder. We thank him wholeheartedly and offer our deepest sympathy to his family.

Martin Bauer

President of the board of directors

Horyzon 3/10

You have recently found the new edition of Horyzon - our quarterly magazine with news around Horyzon projects - with a focus on Palestine in your mailbox. You have not? Then you can subscribe here or reed a PDF version here (in German). You will find further information and interesting links on the article "Bulldozers demolishing hope" here.