Solar Project of the National Council of the YMCA, Sri Lanka

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

National Youth Gathering 2025, organized by the Youth Committee of NCY of Sri Lanka

The National Youth Gathering 2025, organized by the National Council of YMCA Youth Committee Sri Lanka, from May 2nd to 4th at Kamam Folk High School, Kallar. This event brought together young leaders under the timely and vital theme: “Let’s Make the YMCA a Gender-Friendly Space.” The gathering served as a platform to cultivate inclusivity, leadership and create awareness among YMCA youth.

Objectives of the Program were to:

• Promote understanding and action around gender inclusivity;
  ·  Equip young leaders to initiate change within their communities;
  ·  Collaboratively draft a National Youth Policy;
  ·  Strengthen connections between local YMCAs through shared experiences.

A total of 27 youth participants from 11 local YMCAs took part in the three-day gathering. Over three enriching days, the youth engaged in structured learning, open discussions, policy drafting, and outdoor bonding activities. The diverse representation ensured varied perspectives and a rich exchange of ideas.

Some of the Outputs & Outcomes are:

• Interactive sessions on gender inclusivity and the role of YMCA youth
• A powerful discussion on Gender-Based Violence, facilitated by Mr. Nadarajak Sukirtharaj, CEO of the Social Action Centre.
• A collaborative drafting of the National Youth Policy, laying the groundwork for future youth leadership strategies.
• Outdoor bonding experiences, such as kayaking, promoting trust and teamwork

The program resulted in strengthened youth networks, increased awareness of gender issues, and concrete steps towards policy development.

Many participants shared that this was their first time engaging so deeply on topics like gender sensitivity and inclusive leadership. The safe and open space created during the sessions allowed for honest dialogue and personal growth.

Nimasha De Silva
Junior Executive Secretary
National Council of YMCAs Sri Lanka

Solar Project of the National Council of the YMCA, Sri Lanka

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

Solar Project of the National Council of the YMCA, Sri Lanka

The NCY of Sri Lanka, received the YMI Green Fund to support NCYSL’s commitment to environmental sustainability. With the generous support of the Ys Men International Green Fund, a 10 kVA Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System was installed at the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka (NCYSL) headquarters.

This solar system was commissioned in February 2025 and marks a significant step toward reducing the organization’s carbon footprint. It is designed to offset the total carbon emissions generated by the operations of NCYSL, aligning with our broader goals of promoting clean energy, sustainability, and climate responsibility within the YMCA movement. NCY Sri Lanka is thankful to the YMI Green Fund support to continue the Solar project towards a sustainable planet.

Nimasha De Silva
Junior Executive Secretary
National Council of YMCAs Sri Lanka

YMCA Philippines National Eco-Heroes Training Empowers Youth and Staff for Climate Action

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

YMCA Philippines National Eco-Heroes Training Empowers Youth and Staff for Climate Action

By: IANNE CHRISTINE J. AQUINO
OIC-National Program Secretary
YMCA of the Philippines, Inc.

The YMCA of the Philippines successfully concluded its National Eco-Heroes Training on April 22–24, 2025, at the YMCA of Albay, marking a powerful celebration of Earth Day through immersive learning, intercultural collaboration, and youth-led environmental action.

Gathering 20 passionate participants from various local YMCAs across the Philippines, along with international delegates from Sao Hin, Chiangmai YMCA in Thailand, the three-day training served as a transformative experience for emerging eco-leaders and YMCA staff alike. The program focused on equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and mindset needed to champion sustainable practices within their communities.

A key highlight of the training was the experiential learning activity on coral planting in the YMCA of Albay’s 2,000 sq. m adopted area for marine rehabilitation in the Albay Gulf. This hands-on experience allowed participants to directly engage in restoring marine ecosystems while deepening their understanding of the “ridge to reef” connection—how actions on land affect life underwater. This activity not only emphasized the importance of ocean conservation and biodiversity but also inspired participants to take responsibility in protecting and nurturing the planet’s interconnected natural systems.

The training also featured the cascading of the youth-led project titled “Cultivating Action through Responsible Education (CARE) for Climate, developed by the Youth-Led Solutions on Climate Action Philippine Coalition. This module aims to reinforce YMCA environmental efforts by providing a structured, holistic guide for catalyzing youth- and community-driven climate action. It promotes sustainable practices, environmental advocacy, and behavior change, while encouraging the formation of a national network of YMCA Eco-Heroes.

Designed to strengthen the capacity of YMCA General Secretaries, key staff and volunteers involved in environmental programming, the training delivered a range of dynamic sessions on Climate Change and International Treaties, Carbon Auditing, Environmental Skills and Activism, Leadership Development, Benchmarking of Good Practices, and Action Planning for Local Initiatives.

As a result of the training, YMCA staff were empowered with enhanced knowledge and practical skills to lead climate initiatives in their respective communities. Participants gained useful tools and strategies to advance sustainability, environmental education, and positive behavior change, particularly among young people. The training also strengthened their capacity to serve as mentors for future eco-leaders, expanding the reach of climate advocacy across the YMCA movement. Most importantly, participants developed actionable, locally rooted plans to sustain and scale environmental interventions, ensuring long-term impact well beyond the training itself.

The National Eco-Heroes Training reaffirmed the YMCA’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development. Through experiential learning, capacity-building, and the cascading of youth-led innovations like CARE for Climate, the YMCA is cultivating a new generation of eco-advocates committed to building a greener, more resilient future.

Youth Story_Mahima Turhi

Last Updated (Tuesday, 30 November 1999 08:00)

Mahima Turhi Agrawal, YMCA India

Q: Can you tell us about yourself?

A: My name is Mahima Turhi, from YMCA India. Professionally I’m a psychologist and a sportsperson. In YMCA, I’m the Vice-President and Youth Chairperson of YMCA India, Member of the APAY (Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs) Youth Committee, World YMCA Change Agent 5.0 graduate and President of YMCA New Bhedaghat (my local Y). I’m also a member of the Generation Unlimited Youth Centrality Taskforce.

My vision is to work for youth and women empowerment, child development, financial literacy and a sustainable future. I aim to support and develop relevant skills and sporting values in the community and create awareness about positive mental health.

Q: Tell us about your YMCA journey?

A: I’m socially sensitive and want to spread happiness and uplift people. Being a sportsperson and while travelling to various countries, I realized that YMCA is the place to fulfil my hopes. In 2017, I met some like-minded people who supported my idea and joined me. Specially mentioning my encouraging mother, who fulfilled our financial needs. Finally, in mid-2017, we established our YMCA New Bhedaghat. It was the start of an everlasting journey, the local activities are focused on empowerment through sports, growing green and financial literacy. The YMCA India has been a great support in my present journey; its diversity has enhanced my abilities. APAY and World YMCA empowered me to make change happen.

Q: Share a positive influence that YMCA has on you?

A: I believe the YMCA has had a positive influence on me from the moment I stepped into it, it felt like I finally found a place to express myself, a place to learn from experiences and interactions and importantly to be and build the same for others. The YMCA environment and people have given me the space to learn and build ideas from diverse perspectives and an opportunity to work for and with young people. I’m extremely grateful that I get to meet young people through Y and work towards the betterment of the world.

Q: How do you feel about your role at the YMCA?

A: I’m passionate for youth empowerment, through skill development, sports, art, and expression. I feel it’s necessary for my role at the YMCA to provide young people a space and sense of belongingness to contribute and interact. In my current position, I work on providing insights, contributing my skills and making sure that young people get the platform. I’m grateful that I have a team of supporting people around me.

Q: What is the significance of your work in YMCA and how does it relate to Vision 2030 and its pillars?

A: My work involves a lot of responsibility and belief in young people and myself. The YMCAs and youths play a key role in aligning the Vision 2030, making sure it is relevant to the communities and environment. The most important part of my work is to help individuals find and know their strengths, provide guidance and build confidence.

I’m grateful that, I have various roles in various leadership levels of the YMCA, which has helped me bridge the gap between voices and actions. It’s necessary that the voices are tuned into actions, and they are aligned to the Vision 2030 pillars. I also work on support and coordination for those actions. When young people have the confidence and space to ideate and contribute, it significantly contributes to Vision 2030.

Q: What issues do you think young people are facing today?

A: Mental wellbeing is a challenging issue. It is greatly affecting their personal life and work life, while uncertainty and various pressures limit their ideas and actions. Their leadership roles are also affected, with lack of inclusivity of mental wellbeing within organizations. There is also a lack of space and awareness for mental health support.  Mental wellbeing of young people is an important part of the community wellbeing pillar.

Q: Any idea for this issue and how to increase youth participation and empowerment in YMCA?

A: I have mentioned about space/place for young people in the previous questions, a few times. So, it starts with inclusivity and space. This helped me in my YMCA journey, and I definitely feel that the same can help in empowering youth. For participation, safe spaces for mental health support are required for young people to go to.

When there is inclusivity in all ways and a peaceful mental space for young people, it improves and benefits their mental wellbeing and gives them the opportunity to find solutions through togetherness and experiences.

Q: Your final encouraging words or message for the youth?

A: It is crucial for the young people to empower each other by sharing ideas, developing empathy and working together.

Now, it’s all about shared progress.

Let’s stand TOGETHER and bring the CHANGE!