Today, 85 Change Agents from 44 countries came together online for the first time to officially launch Change Agents 6.0.
During the 90-minute virtual session, participants met one another in small groups, received an overview of the year ahead, and heard from YMCA leaders and partners who offered advice and encouragement.
World YMCA President Soheila Hayek welcomed the group: “You will change the world around you, but you will also change yourself. You’ll get to know yourself and your strengths. You’ll find things that challenge you and excite you, and all of it will form you into something more”.
The Change Agent programme equips young YMCA leaders with the tools and experiences to grow their leadership, shape their communities and strengthen the global Movement.
During the session, the new cohort heard from:
- Corrine Momai-Vanian, Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation
- Lauren Pollock of Y Australia
- Pious Mannah of YMCA Sierra Leone
- Maurine Kouba, member of the World YMCA Executive Committee and graduate of Change Agents cohort 2
Corrine Momai-Vanian advised: “Use this opportunity to build a resilient strategy. Resilience can be a buzzword, but it’s so true. I’ve seen so many young people burn out so fast, because they don’t know their limits. In this programme, you’ll meet friends, and you’ll build a network of support”.
The most recent cohort of 100 Change Agents graduated in October 2024 at the Accelerator Summit in Mombasa, Kenya. Since its launch in 2014, the programme has trained nearly 900 young leaders across six cohorts.
World YMCA Secretary General Carlos Sanvee added: “Do not underestimate the value of this programme. It is not just training but a life-changing and foundational experience. As I look at this group, I wonder what level of innovation the YMCA will reach thanks to your leadership.”