YMI’s vision for 2026/27, presented by International President 2026/27 Rev. Dr. Johan Vilhelm Eltvik, is inspired by Blue Music, a powerful metaphor first shared at the International Convention in Chiang Mai in 2024. Blue Music represents the values that give life and meaning to our movement: love, empathy, courage, creativity, freedom, care and hope.
It stands in contrast to the grey music of conflict, domination, stagnation and division. Where grey music creates fear and separation, Blue Music brings people together through fellowship, imagination, compassion and action.
The International President’s Theme for 2026/27 is:
Waking the Sleeping Giant with Blue Music
The Giant is YMI itself: its clubs, its club members, its experience, its wisdom, its history, its global reach and its moral strength. This Giant does not sleep because it is weak. It sleeps when it forgets the power of goodness within it and the difference it can make in the world through fellowship and service.
In 2026/27, YMI is called to awaken every club and every club member. This awakening will not come through force or authority, but through Blue Music: joyful fellowship, inclusive leadership, creative service, intergenerational engagement and courageous compassion in action.
The slogan for the year is:
YMI – Empowering Life
To empower life is to recognise value in every person. It means offering fellowship instead of charity, dignity instead of pity, and opportunity instead of sympathy. It means helping people of all generations to live fully, contribute confidently and serve with purpose.
Blue Music will be brought to life through six key action areas.
First, clubs are encouraged to hold Blue Music Campfires for Change. These gatherings will create space for storytelling, creativity, new service ideas and open dialogue about club renewal and future vision.
Second, YMI will challenge loneliness and reframe ageing as strength. Clubs are encouraged to create inclusive spaces where older adults are valued for their wisdom, experience and continued contribution, while bringing generations together in meaningful fellowship.
Third, YMI will continue to fight waste and promote sustainability. This includes strengthening second-hand initiatives, encouraging recycled products as a lifestyle, and organising local clean-up campaigns at club and district levels.
Fourth, clubs and Regions are called to support Roll Back Malaria and other international programmes, including ASF, BF and TOF. Through renewed fundraising efforts and shared commitment, YMI can strengthen its support for programmes that change lives.
Fifth, YMI will deepen collaboration with YMCA. As a movement founded in service to the YMCA, YMI has a unique opportunity to strengthen this partnership through joint community initiatives, regional consultations and shared service projects.
Sixth, YMI will expand local community service. Each community has its own needs, and each club has the ability to respond with compassion, dedication and action. The goal is to inspire 1,000 local community service initiatives at club level, reflecting the true spirit of Goodness in Action.
Through Blue Music, YMI is invited to become a more vibrant, purposeful and inspiring movement for all generations.
Let us awaken the Sleeping Giant.
Let us play the Blue Music in harmony.
Let us empower life, together.