AAYMCAs National General Secretaries Meeting 2025: Uniting for Innovation and Impact
Designing Peace: Africa YMCA’s Youth Advocacy Playbook Workshop
15/05/2025
On 12 - 16 May 2025, the Africa Alliance of YMCAs hosted its annual National General Secretaries (NGS) Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, uniting senior leaders from YMCA national movements across the continent. The gathering was a vital space for strategic exchange, shared learning, and recommitment to the movement’s mission: empowering young people and communities through innovative, inclusive, and values-driven action.
Set against a backdrop of rising youth needs and evolving social development landscapes, this year’s meeting focused on aligning national strategies with a shared pan-African vision. It was not just a meeting of minds, but a convergence of purpose—affirming the YMCA’s identity as a dynamic, data-informed, and youth-centered movement grounded in solidarity.
ADVANCING LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Throughout the meeting, conversations circled around a common theme: how to lead with vision while delivering measurable, meaningful impact. Sessions explored leadership in the age of accountability, the power of innovation ecosystems, and the responsibility to turn data into actionable insight. Leaders examined how to make sense of change—internally and externally—and how to steer their organizations toward relevance in a world of shifting donor expectations and youth realities.
In his keynote address, Dr. Romeo Effs, CEO of Lumorus, encouraged leaders to embrace innovation and rethink the way impact is measured and communicated. He remarked,
“Credible impact stories are more valuable than capital—they are what unlock doors, build trust, and drive serious investment.”
His message resonated strongly with participants, as many reflected on the need to strengthen both governance structures and storytelling strategies in ways that serve communities and attract meaningful support.
Equally impactful was a session led by Peter Munene of Faith to Action Network, who shared a compelling framework for resource mobilization based on trust and authenticity. He underscored the importance of clear positioning, relationships, and integrity in fundraising:
“It’s not just about proposals—it’s about building relationships anchored in relevance, credibility, visibility, and consistency.”
Peter’s practical guidance challenged national movements to reimagine how they communicate their value to stakeholders, how they nurture long-term donor partnerships, and how they activate local ownership.
The meeting also placed a strong emphasis on youth-driven innovation. Participants explored opportunities to co-design programs with young people, integrate digital tools for impact tracking, and build internal cultures that encourage creativity and experimentation. The need for shared infrastructure—such as unified impact dashboards and regional data strategies—was identified as a key enabler of program growth and learning across borders.
MOVING FORWARD AS ONE MOVEMENT
As the curtains closed on the 2025 NGS Meeting, one sentiment stood out above all: together, we are stronger. Across nationalities, languages, and local contexts, YMCA leaders left Nairobi energized by a renewed commitment to act not just independently, but interdependently—with shared values, standards, and a common belief in the power of youth.
With sharpened strategies, strengthened relationships, and a collective drive for innovation, the Africa YMCA movement is well-positioned to rise to the moment. This gathering was more than a review of past achievements—it was a springboard for deeper impact, bolder ideas, and unified growth.
The path forward is clear: invest in people, trust in the process, and remain anchored in purpose. Through bold leadership, shared learning, and a relentless focus on youth empowerment, the YMCA in Africa continues to transform lives and communities—one movement, one voice, one vision.
