The World Alliance is made up of five Regional Alliances which includes the European Alliance. It is to the European Alliance that England relates. The European Alliance acts as a co-ordinating body for the work of the National Councils of the constituent countries. The World Alliance was constituted at the first World Conference of Young Men's Christian Associations, Paris 1855. It links National Councils and Alliances of YMCAs together, serving them both as a symbol of unity and as an instrument of common action. The role of the World Alliance in relation to the ninety National YMCA Movements is comparable to that of a National Council to its member Associations.

Its main purpose is to help, encourage and inspire the World YMCA in its constant search for unity in Christ; in its mission to work together in an extension of His Kingdom amongst people living in different circumstances and conditions. The World Alliance of YMCAs carries many different functions.

Briefly, the World Alliance of YMCAs:

- Organises events which enables YMCA leaders and members to meet for conferences,
consultations or seminars on matters of common concern to YMCAs (for example: leadership training, ecumenical and interfaith questions and YMCA efforts for international co-operation for development).
- Helps to co-ordinate co-operation between National YMCAs, to strengthen existing
Movements and to extend the YMCA into new fields. This role is accomplished by bringing together leaders directly involved in these efforts so that, in a spirit of partnership, decisions may be reached as to needs, action and responsibility.

- Gives guidance to development efforts, obtains some of the fundingfor projects and
organises international development seminars.

- Operates, on behalf of its Member Movements, a refugee and rehabilitation service in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East and responds to emergency needs caused by national disasters.

- Conducts a multi-national staff development programme.

- Publishes the regular periodical " YMCA WORLD" (formerly World Communique) as well as reports of conferences and consultations, study guides and programme aids.

- Represents the World Movement at the United Nations and its agencies. It co-operates with other World Christian bodies, notably the World YMCA, the World Council of Churches, the Catholic Church, the World Student Christian Federation and other international youth
Organisations.

- Seeks to encourage certain emphasis in YMCA programmes and policies, especially those related to international co-operation for development, leadership development, human rights and other social issues, health and physical education, the ecumenical role of the YMCA and its Christian basis and purpose.

- Consults, through visits of Lay leaders and Staff, with National Movements, particularly in
areas where its accumulated international experience may be useful.

- Acts in emergencies to assist National Movements in situations of crisis.

The World Alliance of YMCAs is financed in its general budget by contributions from Member Movements according to a mutually accepted 'fair share' formula. The World Alliance of YMCAs is, thereby, a creation of the Member Movements. Refugee and Rehabilitation Services are financed by contributions from Member Movements, Churches, Voluntary Welfare Agencies and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The governing bodies of the World Alliance of YMCAs are an Executive Committee, consisting of twenty-one representatives from different geographic groupings which should include women and young people, together with the President, Deputy President, Treasurer, Secretary-General and a maximum of six co-opted members, making a total of thirty-one registered members. Presidents of area organisations are entitled to attend without a vote. This adds between six and eight o the numbers.

The World Council of the World Alliance of YMCAs meets at least once in every three years. This consists of the Officers and members of the Executive Committee together with representatives from each member National Movement as follows:

Up to 5,000 registered members 2 representatives
5,001 to 25,000 registered members
2 representatives
25,001 to 125,000 registered members 3 representatives
125,001 to 500,000 registered members 5 representatives
500,001 to 1 million registered members
7 representatives
Over a million registered members 8 representatives
The total number of the World Council is expected to be between 130 and 140 persons.

At least every six years there is a World Assembly of YMCAs which will provide inspiration and motivation for the Movement but does not have legislative powers.

The above is a new structure which was agreed at the World Council held in 1985.
Until the structure is finalised, no Standing Committees, except for those on Finance and Refugees, will be named. The aim is to have a more flexible structure with few Standing Committees.

Since 1985 there has been a small Senior Professional Staff of four or five who act as a core for the World Alliance. This is supplemented by short term specialised positions for specific projects related to the functions of the World Alliance.