YMCA National Youth Gathering 2025
From May 2nd to 4th, 2025, the vibrant and spirited youth of Sri Lanka came together at Kamam Folk High School in Kallar for the highly anticipated YMCA National Youth Gathering 2025. This inspiring event, organized by the National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka, united 27 young leaders representing 11 local YMCAs from across the country. The gathering provided a unique platform for youth to engage in meaningful discussions, develop leadership skills, and foster a shared commitment to social change.Among the youth delegates
Among the youth delegates, Mr. Jeneed represented YMCA Batticaloa. Their participation, alongside many others, contributed to a dynamic environment that encouraged collaboration, empowerment, and growth.
The Purpose and Vision Behind the Gathering
The YMCA National Youth Gathering is more than just a conference; it is a powerful movement aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders who are not only socially aware but also equipped with the skills and knowledge to bring about positive change. The 2025 gathering’s key focus was on strengthening youth leadership while addressing critical societal issues, such as the formulation of a National YMCA Youth Policy and tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Organizers envisioned the gathering as a space where young leaders could share diverse experiences, understand their common challenges, and develop collective strategies for the future. By uniting youth from different backgrounds and parts of Sri Lanka, the event sought to build bridges of understanding and cooperation that transcend regional and cultural divides.
A Gathering of Diverse Youth Voices
One of the event’s most remarkable features was the diversity of participants. Delegates hailed from urban, suburban, and rural YMCA branches, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. This diversity enriched discussions and highlighted the varying challenges faced by youth in different communities.
Mr. Jeneed, representing YMCA Batticaloa, stood out as a passionate advocate for youth empowerment from the Eastern Province. Batticaloa, a region that has faced social and economic challenges, benefits greatly from such representation at national platforms. Jeneed’s participation was vital in ensuring that the voices and concerns of youth from this region were heard and considered in the broader policy-making process.
Similarly, the delegation from YMCA Negombo—Piumi Madumali, Suneth Vihanga, and Lahiru Aloka—brought forward perspectives from a key urban coastal area, adding to the richness of the dialogue. Together, these young leaders symbolized the unity and strength of the YMCA youth network across Sri Lanka.
Drafting the National YMCA Youth Policy: Youth at the Helm
A significant milestone of the 2025 gathering was the focused session dedicated to drafting a National YMCA Youth Policy. This policy aims to define the role and responsibilities of the youth within the YMCA movement and provide a framework for empowering young people to actively participate in decision-making processes.
Unlike many traditional top-down policy drafts, this initiative was youth-driven, with delegates contributing ideas based on their lived experiences, local realities, and visions for the future. Discussions covered a broad spectrum of topics including youth participation, leadership development, inclusivity, mental health support, education, employment opportunities, and community engagement.
The collaborative atmosphere fostered during this session allowed young leaders to voice concerns and propose actionable solutions. The final draft reflected a progressive and inclusive approach, emphasizing the importance of equipping youth with leadership opportunities while ensuring their voices shape YMCA’s future programs.
This policy is expected to serve as a guiding document for all YMCA branches nationwide, helping to unify efforts and strengthen the impact of youth-led initiatives. By putting young people at the center of policy development, the YMCA demonstrates its commitment to authentic youth empowerment.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence: An Urgent Conversation
Another pivotal component of the gathering was the dedicated session on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a critical issue that affects communities worldwide, including Sri Lanka. The session aimed to raise awareness, educate participants on the various forms of GBV, and explore strategies for prevention and support.
Experts and facilitators led interactive workshops, providing factual information, real-life case studies, and practical tools for recognizing and combating GBV. Youth delegates engaged in open discussions, shared personal stories, and reflected on the social and cultural factors that perpetuate violence.
The session also emphasized the role of young leaders in challenging harmful norms and promoting gender equality within their communities. Participants discussed how they could become advocates for change, using their influence in schools, local YMCAs, and social networks to foster safe and respectful environments.
The emotional and educational impact of this session was profound, leaving many delegates motivated to take action and become part of a broader movement to end GBV in Sri Lanka.
Interactive Sessions: Building Bonds and Breaking Barriers
Beyond formal discussions, the YMCA National Youth Gathering 2025 was designed to nurture relationships and build a sense of community among participants. The event featured a variety of interactive activities aimed at promoting collaboration, trust, and cultural exchange.
Icebreaker games, team-building exercises, and group projects allowed participants to connect on a personal level, learn about each other’s backgrounds, and develop mutual respect. These sessions were crucial in breaking down stereotypes and fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity.
Through shared experiences, the youth delegates developed strong bonds that transcended geographical and cultural differences. Many expressed that these connections would serve as a foundation for future collaborations and continued support networks.
The Role of YMCA in Shaping Youth Futures
The National Youth Gathering highlighted the significant role YMCA plays in empowering young people across Sri Lanka. By providing platforms like this gathering, the YMCA nurtures leadership, encourages civic engagement, and supports personal growth.
Young leaders like Mr. Jeneed and the Negombo delegates exemplify the positive outcomes of YMCA’s youth programs. Equipped with new skills, knowledge, and networks, they are better prepared to serve their communities, advocate for justice, and drive social change.
Moreover, the gathering reaffirmed the importance of youth participation in shaping policies that affect their lives. It underscored that young people are not just beneficiaries but active agents of transformation.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum
As the YMCA National Youth Gathering 2025 concluded, the energy and enthusiasm of the participants were palpable. Delegates left with renewed commitment and actionable plans to bring the lessons learned back to their local communities.
The National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka plans to continue supporting youth initiatives inspired by the gathering. Follow-up programs, leadership workshops, and regional meet-ups are being considered to sustain the momentum.
The draft National YMCA Youth Policy will undergo further refinement with input from various stakeholders before being formally adopted. This policy promises to be a landmark achievement, institutionalizing youth leadership within the YMCA framework.
Conclusion
The YMCA National Youth Gathering 2025 was a transformative event that showcased the power of youth collaboration, leadership, and advocacy. Bringing together 27 dedicated young leaders from 11 local YMCAs, including Mr. Jeneed from Batticaloa and delegates from Negombo, the event was a celebration of diversity, unity, and purpose.
Through critical discussions on youth policy and gender-based violence, interactive bonding sessions, and a collective vision for the future, the gathering laid a strong foundation for continued youth empowerment in Sri Lanka.
As these young leaders return to their communities, they carry with them the skills, passion, and networks needed to inspire change and build a better future for all.
