Con profundo pesar informamos que en el dia de ayer fallecio en Hong Kong, Yip Kok Choong, Secretario General de la Alianza de Asia y el Pacífico (APAY). Yip fue un destacado y comprometido líder del Movimiento destacándose por su compromiso con la superacion de la pobreza, los derechos humanos y el dialogo inter religioso.

Fue sal y luz para muchas personas, especialmente jovenes. Sirvió al Movimiento en Malasia durante muchos años. Desde el año 2003 asumió la Secretaria General del Area Asiatica. Fue un incansable trabajador y un gran compañero al servicio de la Misión.

Yip sufria una enfermedad degenerativa que afecto progresivamente el sistema motor. Vivio su vida con una dignidad ejemplar. Desde América Latina y el Caribe hacemos llegar nuestro más sincero pésame a su esposa Lucy, Cristina y compañeros del staff de APAY, a los hermanos y hermanas de la Alianza Asiática. Le extrañaremos.

Rogamos al Señor por el consuelo a su esposa y sus seres queridos, por el descanso eterno de su alma y damos gracias por la alegria de haber tenido la dicha de conocerle y contar con su invalorable contribución.
Amen.

Miguel Blasco
Secretario General

Ponemos en conocimiento esta declaración de la Alianza Mundial:

21st December 1945 – 31st October 2008

A Tribute

It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that Yip Kok Choong, General Secretary of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY), passed away in Hong Kong, just after midnight today, 30 October 2008 at the age of 62 after a debilitating illness.

Yip, as he is known to the YMCA and friends, worked with Malaysia YMCA before he joined the APAY as Executive Secretary for Programmes in 2002. From April 2003, he became APAY General Secretary-Designate and in September 2003 he assumed the post of General Secretary.

Most will know Yip as a “workaholic” who spent more than 12 hours a day in his office everyday and who travelled incessantly to give support and inspiration to national movements in the region. Though most of the time quiet and reflecting, Yip spoke with passion about the YMCA’s mission and young people’s leadership and participation in the movement. His commitment to social justice, peace and youth empowerment was uncompromising.

Yip will be remembered for his kindness and generosity as well as his unassuming ways. His humility, wisdom and integrity have earned him the respect of friends and colleagues alike. His greatness of spirit and strength of character compensated for his small frame. Yip had a presence that was most reassuring; his open-mindedness and belief in people made him a bridge-builder and a man of peace.

Yip was diagnosed more than a year ago with a degenerative illness that affected his motor system. Despite the gradual deterioration of his health and capacity to move he persevered in his work and assumed his responsibilities with as much care and commitment up to his last breath.

Yip’s legacy is one of deep faith in God and a solid commitment to the YMCA as God’s instrument of justice and love in this world. In his words,

“Our vision of spirituality strengthens our solidarity aimed at sustaining life, responding as a people called by God to act in God’s love as we carry out our mission in the realities of our time and our social responsibility in building communities of love, peace and justice.”

Let us pray for the repose of Yip’s soul and for comfort to Lucy, his beloved wife.

Martin Meißner Bart Shaha
President Secretary General