At the Global Youth Workers Conference Special Youth Workers and Youth Group Capacity Building Seminar, Peter Anum, the Global Coordinator of CAYWA (Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers’ Associations), delivered a message that deeply resonated with everyone in the room:
Don’t stay in your corner.
Too often, youth workers and organizations isolate themselves, focusing only on their own projects and forgetting that there’s real power in connection. Peter’s challenge was simple but vital — youth work is not something we’re supposed to do alone.
He shared a bold vision: the establishment of National Youth Workers Associations in countries across the world. These associations would create spaces where youth workers can connect, learn from each other, share resources, and build stronger support systems.
“One of the ways we can strengthen our organizations is to be part of a professional body,” Peter said. “Don’t work solo. When you are connected with mine and I am connected with yours, together we can make a better impact.”
Peter encouraged youth workers to go out, find others working in the same space, and start building relationships. When we isolate ourselves, our impact is small. But when we join forces, we can shape better systems and reach more young people in meaningful ways.
How Do We Get There?
Peter didn’t just inspire; he provided a clear and practical 10-step roadmap to make this vision a reality:
1. Assess the youth work landscape — know who’s doing what.
2. Define the purpose of the association.
3. Engage key youth work stakeholders and potential partners.
4. Develop a constitution to guide the association.
5. Complete the legal registration process.
6. Recruit committed members.
7. Set up leadership and governance structures.
8. Secure sustainable funding.
9. Design and implement impactful programs.
10. Regularly evaluate progress and adjust as needed.
Peter’s message was simple: don’t do this alone.
Whether you’re a youth worker or leading a youth organization, find others, build partnerships, and work together. When we collaborate, we don’t just grow our own programs — we grow the entire youth work movement. It’s when we connect that we truly begin to multiply our impact.