UK (Commonwealth Union)_ The launch of Youth Work Week witnessed the announcement of grants by the Commonwealth Secretariat to youth work associations in four nations, namely Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania, and Trinidad and Tobago. Michael Asudi, Director Member of the Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers Association (CAWYA), bestowed the ‘Pan-Commonwealth Youth Workers Capacity-Building Grants‘ during the Commonwealth’s Global Launch of International Youth Work Week.
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This financial infusion is designed to enhance training, resources, and support for marginalized communities, aligning with a comprehensive four-point plan for youth work. The plan includes elevating the status of youth work through formal training opportunities, fortifying associations via mentorship, enhancing accessibility to impoverished communities, and fostering knowledge exchange among youth workers and their associations.
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The initiative garnered praise from government representatives, with Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Pakistan’s Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, lauding it as a testament to the steadfast commitment of the Commonwealth Secretariat and CAYWA to fortify global youth work. Robin Lockhart, speaking on behalf of CAYWA’s Chair, Prof. Emeritus Robyn Broadbent, emphasized the significance of capacity grants in enabling emerging associations to establish legitimacy, register, and engage with their respective governments. He said, “Capacity grants provide emerging associations with some funds to consult and establish their associations. More importantly, establishing this legitimacy has meant that they can also register and connect with their governments.”
Layne Robinson, Head of the Commonwealth Social Policy Division, highlighted the multifaceted focus of the grants, ranging from innovation in digital spaces to community-based initiatives. He highlighted the importance of Youth Work Week as an occasion to reflect on the theme “Youth Work in every place and space” and to honour and celebrate the commitment of youth workers who often sacrifice time and resources to support young individuals.
Maya Nanan, Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023 and founder of the Autism Siblings and Friends Network in Trinidad and Tobago, shared her perspective on the critical importance of the week. Addressing the challenges faced by youth workers, including discrimination and limited access to resources, she emphasized the invaluable role of mentors and professional advisors in her journey. Nanan called upon governments, corporate sectors, and society at large to enhance their support for youth workers. She said, “As a youth, as the founder of a youth-based NGO and as someone who connects with youths daily, I fully understand the value of youth work. I also recognize the difficulties of youth workers – the inequalities in many countries, the discrimination that many encounter, that I face in my country, the lack of access to opportunities and resources, the assumption that youths are too young to contribute, amongst others.”
CAYWA’s Co-chair, Ashraf Patel, concluded the event by advocating for strategic collaboration within the Commonwealth, specifically directed at building robust and effective youth work institutions. The collective efforts and financial support unveiled during this Youth Work Week launch signify a tangible commitment to uplifting the youth work sector on a global scale.
