The Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers Association (CAYWA) is a body under the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Commonwealth is a voluntary union organization of 56 countries that was established in 1973. 

The first Commonwealth Conference on Youth Work (CCYW) was held in 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa with the theme Towards the Professionalization of Youth Work, followed by the 2nd conference with the theme Engaging Young People in Nation Building: The Youth Worker's Role at the same place in 2016. The 3rd conference was held in 2018 in Malta with the theme Cross currents - steering a course for youth work as a growth profession in the Commonwealth and in Europe and the 4th conference themed The Power of Youth Work: Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future, held in 2023 in the United Kingdom.

In 2025, Malaysia assume the ASEAN Chair and it is a historic year for ASEAN as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community. This is a significant milestone for ASEAN as it will adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which will chart ASEAN’s strategic direction in the years to come and call for continued support and cooperation from all ASEAN Member States and its Partners.

This will be the 5th conference organized to honor and empower the professionalism of youth work. In 2025, Malaysia was offered by the Commonwealth Secretariat to host the conference. The Honorable Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports also attended the 2023 conference in London to show the commitment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) to the success of this Conference.

The main aim of the 5th Global Youth Work Conference 2025 “Youth Work in a Changing World: Sustaining Local Wisdom for Global Connectivity” is to influence decision-makers to appreciate the important role of youth work around the world. A variety of perspectives will be gathered from youth workers, academics, and policymakers from across the 56 Commonwealth countries and beyond to celebrate youth work, share best practices, and learn from each other.

Apart from that, this Conference also aims to establish and strengthen strategic cooperation among countries through continuous dialogue, enhance diplomacy and consensus, promote trade and investment and ensure elements of inclusiveness and sustainability which are the main focus in regional community development efforts.

• Promote the professionalism of youth work

• Strengthen and build collaborative networks within the Commonwealth and internationally

• Promote sharing of best practices from around the world in youth work

• Reveal new talent in the development of youth work within the Commonwealth and beyond.

This conference is open to 250 participants from both domestic and international. In general, participants consist of the following target groups:

• Youth work practitioners

• Youth ministers and politicians

• Youth and sports officials

• Academicians

• Researchers

• Policymakers

• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

• Individuals/groups interested in youth work and youth development

Total Number of Participants

• Local Delegation: 100 PAX

• International Delegation: 150 PAX

NOTE: 

Participants are responsible for their own flights and accommodation, unless they receive full sponsorship for the conference.  

Meals during conference, transport for Gala Dinner on Day 2 and Field Visits on Day 3 will be provided to all delegates during the conference.