Child and Youth Care Week

Celebrating International Child and Youth Care Workers Week 2025

From May 5th to 11th, the global Child and Youth Care Work (CYCW) community comes together to commemorate Child and Youth Care Workers Week.

This year's theme, "Global Belonging in Child and Youth Care," underscores the sector's commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among its professionals and the children, youth, and families they serve.

The theme also embraces the CYCW sector’s growth as it celebrates its 50th anniversary in South Africa, it acknowledges the significant strides made in distinguishing itself as a unique profession. Despite these achievements, the sector remains cognizant of the myriad challenges it faces. As Nelson Mandela aptly stated, "After climbing a great hill, one finds that there are many more hills to climb."

The theme "Global Belonging in Child and Youth Care" highlights the importance of unity, collaboration, and professional support in the ongoing development of the profession, and in navigating the complexities of engaging with children and youth. By embracing a sense of belonging, CYCWs can harness collective strength, drive, innovation, and ensure the delivery of high-quality services that prioritize the rights and well-being of vulnerable children, youth, and families.

In this year’s celebration, the CYCW sector appreciates that:

The CYCW sector's success hinges on its ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and foster a sense of unity.
Belonging is crucial for the sector in driving commitment, ensuring professional support, and promoting hope and resilience among the practitioners.
As the sector continues to evolve, it must remain focused on its core mission while addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.
Child and youth care workers the world over need one another. International exchange has been, and continues to be central to maintaining growth and development in the field.

By embracing the theme of global belonging, CYCWs can reaffirm their dedication to providing exceptional care and support, ultimately making a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.