The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) and YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) have a long history of collaboration, rooted in their shared commitment to youth development, social justice, and community service. Both organizations originated in the 19th century as Christian movements dedicated to supporting young people, fostering leadership, and advocating for social change.
Over the years, YMCA and YWCA have worked together globally and locally to promote gender equality, youth leadership, education, and community outreach. Their partnership extends to programs such as joint youth summits, leadership training, and advocacy initiatives that empower young men and women to become responsible leaders in society.
The YMCA & YWCA National Youth Summit is a key example of this collaboration, bringing young leaders together to learn, engage, and take action on pressing social issues. This joint initiative strengthens their mission of building a more inclusive and empowered future for all.
From March 8-10, 2025, the YMCA & YWCA National Youth Summit brought together 50 passionate young leaders at His Land Christian Retreat Center & Courtyard for an inspiring weekend of learning, collaboration, and action!
Under the theme DRIVING CHANGE, CREATING IMPACT: YOUTH AT THE CORE OF VISION 2030 AND GOAL 2035, this joint initiative between YMCA and YWCA showcased the power of partnership in shaping future leaders.
National Presidents, Atty. Elmer C. Balbin, YMCA of the Philippines and Ms. Marcia Suzanne O. Bicomong, YWCA of the Philippines opened the program, emphasizing the role of youth in creating positive change.
GUEST & KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Guest and Keynote speaker, Ms. Czieloh Jomea C. Villajin, World YMCA-Change Agent from 5th Cohort and National Youth Trustee from YMCA of the Philippines, delivered an impactful message on leadership, purpose, and social responsibility.
She highlighted the challenges young people face today, including environmental issues, unemployment, and mental health concerns, but underscored their responsibility to act rather than be passive observers.
She explained that Vision 2030 focuses on community wellbeing, meaningful work, a sustainable planet, and a just world, while Goal 2035 aims to empower 100 million young women and girls to transform power structures. She encouraged young leaders to recognize their power, create inclusive spaces, and build bridges across divides.
Ms. Villajin shared an example from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, where youth-led initiatives helped address mental health challenges and digital engagement during the pandemic. She stressed the need to challenge traditional approaches and innovate solutions.
She also discussed transforming power structures practically—by advocating for inclusion, ensuring diverse voices are heard, and balancing leadership responsibilities. She urged young leaders to take action through community work, sustainability efforts, and justice advocacy.
Her speech concluded with a call to “take up space strategically,” ensuring youth voices influence decision-making while fostering intergenerational collaboration. She encouraged attendees to move beyond discussions to courageous action, shaping the future of the YMCA, YWCA, and the global community.
MENTAL HEALTH
The YWCA-YMCA Mental Wellness presentation, Thrive: A PsychoSpiritual Approach to Mental Wellness and Wholeness by Ptr. Archie M. dela Cruz, emphasizes mental health as a universal human right (Republic Act 12080). It highlights the importance of self-awareness, support systems, and building a therapeutic community.
Key mental health concerns include dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder), existential anxiety, languishing, stress, burnout, and depression. It discusses how stress manifests physically, emotionally, and behaviorally, and emphasizes psychological safety, allowing individuals to express themselves, make mistakes, and challenge the status quo.
Coping strategies include self-care, safe social connections, creative therapies, mindfulness (such as deep breathing), simplifying life, and seeking professional help when necessary. The presentation also integrates spirituality as a key component of mental well-being, citing research that religious attendance can reduce depression risks. It encourages practices like prayer, rest (Sabbath), and spiritual reflection to find peace and balance.
The overarching message is that mental wellness requires a holistic approach, combining psychological, social, and spiritual support to achieve a well-balanced life.
CLIMATE ACTION
Mr. Rodne R. Galicha, National Convenor of Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, highlights the urgent need for climate action and environmental justice, emphasizing that the poor are the most affected by ecological destruction. His presentation illustrate the deep connections between climate change, deforestation, pollution, and social inequality.
He underscores the importance of ecological conversion, ethical economic choices, and stronger public advocacy to push governments toward sustainable policies. The presentation calls on individuals and communities to take responsibility for protecting the planet, emphasizing that caring for the environment is both a moral and social obligation.
INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY
Dr. Jeremy A. Cruz emphasized the importance of embracing diversity in various forms while highlighting its benefits in fostering innovation, cultural competence, equity, and resilience. However, challenges like ethnocentrism and communication barriers were acknowledged. The conference underscored inclusivity as key to removing barriers and ensuring equal opportunities, promoting strategies such as cross-cultural understanding, ethical leadership, global collaboration, sustainability, and self-reflection
EXPOSURE VISIT
Participants engaged in an Exposure Visit at the Bulacan Agricultural Training Center, where they had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the daily routines and practices of local farmers and agricultural workers. They observed various farming techniques, livestock management, and sustainable agricultural methods. Additionally, they experienced firsthand the challenges and rewards of agricultural life, gaining a deeper appreciation for the dedication and hard work required in the industry. The visit also allowed them to interact with farmers, ask questions about their livelihood, and understand the impact of agriculture on the local economy and food security.
TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY
The Team Building activity, jointly facilitated by both the YMCA and YWCA, focused on three critical topics: Mental Health, Climate Action, and Inclusivity & Diversity. Through interactive exercises, discussions, and collaborative challenges, participants explored the importance of mental well-being, teamwork, learning strategies for stress management, emotional resilience, and fostering supportive environments within their communities.
The activities fostered an open and safe space for discussing issues related to gender, race, and social backgrounds, reinforcing the importance of respect and understanding in building stronger communities.
Overall, the Team Building session not only strengthened collaboration among participants but also equipped them with valuable insights and skills to apply in their respective fields and organizations.
ACTION PLANING
Ms. Ianne Chrisinte J. Aquino facilitated the Workshop on Solution and Action Planning, guiding participants in formulating concrete strategies and initiatives based on insights gained from the three-day presentations on key topics. The session encouraged participants to synthesize their learnings, identify pressing issues, and develop feasible, impact-driven solutions tailored to their respective communities or organizations.
Through interactive discussions, brainstorming exercises, and group collaborations, participants crafted action plans that aligned with the core themes of the conference. Ms. Aquino provided valuable insights on strategic planning, goal setting, and implementation techniques to ensure that the proposed solutions were practical, sustainable, and measurable. The workshop served as a platform for youth leaders to translate knowledge into action, equipping them with the necessary skills to drive meaningful change beyond the conference.
TALENT SHOWCASE
The final part of the program featured a Joint Statement from YMCA and YWCA participants, serving as a collective declaration of their commitments, insights, and action points following the three-day conference. This statement reflected their shared vision of fostering inclusivity, diversity, mental health awareness, and climate action, emphasizing the importance of collaborative leadership and community engagement in addressing global and local challenges.
The participants expressed their dedication to implementing the strategies discussed during the solution and action planning workshop, ensuring that their efforts would extend beyond the conference. The statement underscored their pledge to promote equality, advocate for marginalized voices, and cultivate sustainable initiatives that align with the core values of both organizations.
By uniting their voices in this declaration, the YMCA and YWCA participants reinforced their commitment to continuous learning, meaningful youth participation, and proactive leadership, marking the conclusion of the event with a strong call to action for future initiatives.
JOINT STATEMENT OF YMCA AND YWCA 2025 NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT
We, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young Women’s Christian, stand together in solidarity as we conclude the YMCA-YWCA National
Association (YWCA)
Youth Summit 2025—a gathering that has empowered young leaders, fostered inclusivity, and
deepened our commitment to social responsibility.
Guided by the objectives of this summit, we reaffirm our dedication to:
1. Promoting Mental Health Awareness – Recognizing that mental well-being is
fundamental to holistic development, we commit to creating safe spaces where youth
can openly discuss mental health concerns and access support networks within our
communities.
2. Advocating for Climate Action – As stewards of creation, we pledge to integrate
sustainable practices in our programs and mobilize young people to take active roles in
environmental protection, climate education, and disaster resilience efforts.
3. Championing Inclusivity and Diversity – We embrace the richness of diverse identities,
cultures, and perspectives, ensuring that all voices—regardless of gender, background,
or belief—are heard, respected, and valued.
Throughout this summit, we have witnessed the power inclusivity is a perpetual struggle but a
crucial matter that we should try to achieve. For this, integrating and listening to the voices of
the marginalized sector is one way of doing so; ensuring that everyone is warmly welcomed to
the table of change.
With that in mind, the youth should be actively included in achieving these goals; it is imperative
to shift our collective consciousness in how we view the young sector. Rather than “kabataan
ang pag-asa ng bayan”, it should be “kabataan ang pag-asa ngayon.” Change starts with the
individual and in the present, it is not something that instantly blooms, but a seed that has to be
planted and fostered.
Which emphasizes the value of reaching grassroot communities. The learnings achieved
through training and summits are not meant to be mere theoretical knowledge, but as basis for
actions solving root causes in our communities. So actively take part in applying what we learn
to our immediate communities.
As such, the collaboration between YMCA, YWCA, and other NGOs and initiatives are
important. The sum total is greater than its parts, and recognizing unity through diversity
between these NGOs would streamline our continuous battle for change.
Together, we call upon every youth leader, volunteer, and community member to carry the
lessons of this summit beyond these walls—into schools, workplaces, churches, and
homes—so that our shared mission will continue to transform lives and shape a better world for
generations to come.
“Together, We Empower. Together, We Rise.”
📸 See more pictures from the event: https://bit.ly/4bQahs2
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