Top 10 Highlights from the Global Youth Workers Conference (GYWC) 2025: Advancing the Youth Work Profession for Sustainable Development
The Global Youth Workers Conference (GYWC) 2025, held in Accra, Ghana, convened youth workers, policymakers, development partners, and practitioners from around the world. The conference focused on the theme: Youth Workers for Global Goals: Established, Equipped, and Engaged. Over several days, participants engaged in key discussions to strengthen the youth work profession, improve international collaboration, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article presents a summary of the top 10 key moments from GYWC 2025. 10. Launch of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform for Youth Workers GYWC 2025 introduced the Youth Workers Multi-Stakeholder Platform, a collaborative space designed to connect youth workers, share resources, and support global partnerships. The platform is expected to facilitate cross-border collaboration and provide ongoing professional development opportunities for youth workers worldwide. 9. Presentation of the Accra Global Youth Workers’ Statement The Accra Global Youth Workers’ Statement was publicly presented. The document outlines shared priorities, key commitments, and areas of focus to strengthen youth work globally. It was developed through extensive consultation and will guide future action within the sector. 8. Signing of the Accra Commitment Statement The formal signing of the statement by the Organizing and Coordination Committee reinforced a collective commitment to the principles outlined. The signing confirmed the dedication of youth work leaders and organizations to advancing the profession and supporting sustainable youth development. 7. Keynote Address by Dr. David Ochan (UNFPA) In his keynote address, Dr. David Ochan emphasized the essential role of youth workers in creating opportunities for meaningful youth participation. He highlighted the importance of investing in systems that enable young people to influence policies and decisions that directly affect their lives. 6. Advocacy for Professionalizing Youth Work During the High-Level Panel During the high-level panel, Peter Anum of the Commonwealth Alliance stressed the need for the professionalization of youth work. He called for the establishment of formal certification systems, clear operational standards, and sustainable support mechanisms to position youth work as a recognized profession. 5. Thematic Workshops Addressing Youth Work Practice and Global Priorities GYWC 2025 featured six thematic breakout sessions focused on practical solutions and capacity-building for youth workers: •Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship: Addressing education, job creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth. • The Future of AI and STEM Education: Promoting innovation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and artificial intelligence for sustainable development. • Youth Mental Health and Well-being: Strengthening access to mental health services and psychosocial support for young people. • Youth Peace and Security: Empowering youth as agents of peacebuilding, inclusion, and conflict prevention. • Youth in Agribusiness and Climate Change: Exploring the role of young people in sustainable agriculture and climate action. • Digital Technology, Arts, and Storytelling: Using digital tools, creative arts, and storytelling to amplify youth workers’ impact and advance the SDGs. 4. Cultural Heritage Tour in Accra Delegates participated in a guided cultural tour of key national landmarks, including the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and the Independence Arch. The tour provided context on Ghana’s history and contributions to leadership and independence movements. 3. Framing Youth Work as Social Entrepreneurship One of the key messages from the conference was the need to view youth work as social entrepreneurship. Discussions emphasized the importance of building sustainable, well-structured youth initiatives that can deliver long-term impact and community development. 2. Emphasizing Youth Workers’ Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The conference reinforced the central role of youth workers in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Youth workers were identified as key contributors to achieving progress in education, climate action, employment, health, and social inclusion. 1. Strengthening Global Collaboration Among Youth Workers GYWC 2025 contributed to strengthening global collaboration among youth workers. The conference facilitated cross-border partnerships, encouraged knowledge sharing, and established new opportunities for joint initiatives within the youth work sector. Additional Reflections • Pre-conference consultations and regional surveys informed the agenda, highlighting key sectoral priorities including youth unemployment, climate challenges, digital inclusion, and access to mental health services. • The Opening Address by Moses Baffour Awuah emphasized the need to equip youth workers to contribute effectively to sustainable development efforts at all levels. GYWC 2025 provided an opportunity for youth workers to engage in professional development, contribute to policy discussions, and strengthen international networks. The commitments made during the conference will continue to inform youth work practice and global development partnerships in the years ahead.
Beyond the Numbers: Archibald Adams on Crafting Stories That Move People
At the Global Youth Workers Conference Special Youth Workers and Youth Group Capacity Building Seminar, Mr. Archibald Adams, an International Communications and Advocacy Strategist, delivered a powerful reminder to everyone working in the youth space: statistics alone don’t move people. Stories do. In his session on crafting compelling narratives for youth work, Mr. Adams made it clear that if we want to inspire change, influence policy, and truly connect with people’s hearts, we must be intentional about telling emotional and impactful stories. “People are tired of the statistics,” he said. “You hear so many numbers about mental health, about health in general, or about how many young people are out of school. But numbers don’t stick with people.” According to Mr. Adams, what resonates — what stays with people — are the stories of individuals. He illustrated this by explaining that rather than just saying thousands of young people are out of school, we should find one real person whose life is directly affected. Share that story. Talk about the doors that have been closed to them, the challenges they face, the opportunities they are missing, and what their life could look like 20 or 30 years from now if nothing changes. “If you can find one story like that and tell it well, you’ll make an impact because people connect to stories that feel real,” he said. When stories are personal and relatable, they can shift mindsets, influence social behavior, and even drive policy changes. Mr. Adams’ message was simple but urgent: be intentional about the stories you tell. Don’t just present facts and figures. Find the human beings behind those numbers and give them a voice. In a world flooded with data, what stands out — and what has the power to bring real change — is a story that touches the heart.
Youth Work Is Not a Solo Mission: Peter Anum’s Call to Connect
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.
“Youth Workers must create space for young minds to lead, to innovate, and to drive change”- NYA Deputy CEO
Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA) in charge of Finance and Administration, Jacob Adongo Atule, has called on youth workers across the country and beyond to shift from traditional roles of instruction to becoming enablers of innovation and leadership among the youth. He emphasized that youth workers must “not attempt to think for young people; rather, they must create space for young minds to lead, to innovate, and to drive the change agenda.” Speaking at the Global Youth Workers’ Conference held in Accra, Mr. Atule stressed the importance of empowering young people to take ownership of the future. According to him, the role of a youth worker is no longer confined to being a facilitator but must expand to becoming a catalyst for transformative change. “We cannot afford to maintain the status quo. Youth workers are not just facilitators but catalysts for transformative change,” he declared to an audience of national and international participants. He highlighted the need for a mindset shift within the youth development space, urging stakeholders to go beyond traditional vocational models that may no longer serve the dynamic aspirations of today’s youth. “Youth workers must evolve beyond the burdens of traditional vocational training,” he noted, arguing that innovation and adaptability must now take center stage in the youth empowerment framework. Mr. Atule also emphasized the importance of aligning youth support programs with emerging industries and global trends. He advocated for training and mentorship that would prepare young people to thrive in cutting-edge sectors such as technology, climate resilience, and creative arts. “Youth workers must be equipped to guide young people into emergency sectors,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of future-ready skills and opportunities. The Global Youth Workers’ Conference brought together professionals, policymakers, and advocates working to strengthen youth development systems worldwide. Mr. Atule’s message served as a call to action, urging youth workers to trust young people with leadership, support their ideas, and provide the structures needed for them to lead meaningful change in their communities.
Global CEO of YAO charges youth workers to commit to raising generations
The Global Youth Workers Conference (GYWC) began in Accra with a warm welcome night that marked the official start of the five-day event. In his welcome address to delegates from countries including the United States, Liberia, Benin, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana the Global CEO of Youth Arise Organization (YAO), Moses Baffour Awuah, spoke about the lack of recognition for youth work as a structured field. “Youth work is something that so many have not taken seriously. It has been done by few people who love young people and who are passionate about young people. And many have not seen it as a profession and a practice. We believe that it is time to change that narrative”, he said. He referenced a statement by former U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Ghana, stressing the importance of local actions in global development. “The future of this world will not just be determined by what happens in Rome or in Washington or in London, but also what will happen here in Accra, Ghana. And I’m excited that for the next three, four days, something great is going to start from Accra, Ghana to the rest of the world ” Mr. Awuah said. Mr. Awuah also encouraged participants to engage fully with the sessions and discussions. He called on individuals from all fields to support the growth of young people by incorporating youth work into their activities. “We want to get everyone to understand that no matter your profession and no matter your area of interest, you can add youth work to whatever that you do. And second, we want people to get up one day and say that I am going to focus on raising a generation. And that is what we want to do with the Global Youth Workers Conference”, added.
Youth Work Is Not About You: A Call to Re-Focus on the Young People We Serve
On 5th June 2025, during the Global Youth Workers Conference’s Special Youth Workers and Youth Group Capacity Building Seminar, Moses Baffour Awuah, Global CEO of Youth Arise Organization delivered a timely and thought-provoking presentation that called youth workers to pause, reflect, and re-align their focus. He raised a crucial concern, “we are beginning to think more about ourselves than the young people we serve”. According to him, this inward turn threatens the very essence of youth work. “If we are going to make it about us, we cannot engage in youth work effectively,” he warned. Mr. Moses emphasized that the spirit of youth work is fundamentally communal, sacrificial, and youth-centered. A shift toward individualism, where personal ambitions and comfort override the commitment to young people, will stall the progress and impact of youth development efforts. He highlighted several practical challenges currently confronting youth workers: • Competing Demands for Time: With increasing responsibilities, many youth workers are struggling to create space to engage meaningfully with the young people they are called to serve. • Individualism and Self-Preservation: A growing trend where some youth workers prioritize personal advancement over community impact. These challenges, he noted, dilute the passion and reduce the effectiveness of youth engagement initiatives. Moses’s charge was clear and action-driven: Find a way to gather the young people you work with. Despite the pressures and distractions, youth workers must be intentional about creating spaces—whether physical or virtual—where young people can grow, be mentored, and find belonging. His message was a powerful reminder that youth work is not just about programs or projects; it’s about people. It’s about showing up, building trust, and walking the journey with the next generation. As the session concluded, youth workers were left with a sobering question: “Are we still committed to the young people, or have we become too committed to ourselves?”
Youth Workers Platform Launched by YAO at GYWC 2025
The Youth Arise Organization has introduced the Youth Workers Multi-stakeholder Platform to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among global youth workers. Unveiled at the Global Youth Workers Conference 2025 in Accra, the initiative aims to create a network focused on transforming young lives through shared learning and advocacy.
Youth Work in Ghana: Why It’s Not a One-Man Show
The Global Youth Workers Conference in Accra convened global delegates to discuss youth challenges. Mr. Peter Anum led a workshop emphasizing youth work as social entrepreneurship. He highlighted the necessity of strong organizational structures and teamwork, advocating for investments in training and education to effectively address unmet needs and build capable teams.
IS YOUTH WORK A FREEBIE?
The future of Youth Workers is increasingly uncertain due to financial instability and lack of remuneration for their mentoring efforts. At the Global Youth Workers Conference in Accra, delegates discussed potential solutions, including licensing recognized organizations for training and developing a curriculum in Youth Work to provide job security and support for these vital community members.
AN INCLUSIVE YOUTH WORK AWARDS IN AFRICA: IS THERE A POSSIBILITY?
Youth Workers globally support young people’s safety, employment, and fulfillment but often lack recognition, especially in Africa. During a panel at the Global Youth Workers Conference, concerns about their neglect were raised. Plans are in place to revive an abandoned award scheme in Ghana to honor impactful Youth Workers this Youth Week.