Asian Youth Leadership Academy Brings Together Young Leaders to Promote Justice and Solidarity
Young leaders from eight Asian countries gathered in northern Thailand for the inaugural Asian Youth Leadership Academy (AYLA) 2026, a week-long formation program that encouraged participants to become ethical leaders committed to justice, solidarity, and social transformation across the region.
Held from June 24 to 30 at the International Youth Training Centre (IYTC) in Chiang Mai, the academy brought together young professionals and youth leaders from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam under the theme "Leading Change for Justice and Solidarity in Asia."
The program was organized by the International Youth Training Centre (IYTC) in collaboration with the North South Initiative (NSI), Pax Romana International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-MIEC), the Communal Life of Love and Unity of the Mountain People (CLUMP) Foundation, and Life Skills Academy.
Designed to strengthen ethical leadership, the academy encouraged participants to respond to the social realities facing Asia with compassion, courage, and solidarity.
The participants represented a wide range of professions and ministries, including journalism, education, psychology, research, development work, social services, youth ministry, community organizing, and higher education. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they found common ground in addressing issues affecting communities across Asia, including migration, human rights, inequality, climate change, mental health, social exclusion, and peacebuilding.
Rather than relying on conventional classroom lectures, the academy emphasized participatory learning through dialogue, reflection, workshops, case studies, social analysis, cultural exchange, and group discussions. The approach encouraged participants to share their lived experiences, learn from one another, and explore practical responses to challenges facing their communities.
The sessions were facilitated by experienced practitioners from across Asia, including Adrian Anthony Pereira, executive director and co-founder of the North South Initiative; Sri Lankan human rights advocate Ruki Fernando; and Anne Beatrice, program director and co-founder of the North South Initiative. Drawing on their experience in human rights, migration, peacebuilding, and grassroots development, they challenged participants to see leadership as a vocation of service rather than a position of authority.
"Leadership is not about power or position," Pereira said. "It begins with listening, understanding different realities, and walking alongside people, especially those on the margins."
He said the challenges confronting Asia—including migration, inequality, climate change, and human rights—cannot be addressed by one country or organization alone but require dialogue, trust, and cooperation across borders.
"I hope AYLA inspires young people to become compassionate leaders who work together to build more just, peaceful, and inclusive societies," he added.
Learning also extended beyond the classroom. During a field visit around the IYTC campus, participants explored community-based cocoa and coffee initiatives that demonstrated how social enterprise, sustainable livelihoods, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration can contribute to local development.
Organizers said the experience highlighted that leadership is expressed not only through ideas but also through caring for people, protecting the environment, and working collectively toward a sustainable future.
Throughout the week, participants said some of the most meaningful lessons came through conversations, shared meals, personal stories, and friendships formed across cultures, religions, and national borders. These relationships, organizers noted, became one of the academy's greatest strengths and reinforced the importance of dialogue and solidarity in addressing Asia's shared challenges.
To sustain that commitment, organizers launched the AYLA Alumni Network, which will provide a platform for ongoing leadership dialogues, webinars, collaborative projects, mentoring, research, community engagement, and future academy programs.
William Nokrek, course coordinator of AYLA, co-chair of the IYTC Steering Committee, and international president of Pax Romana IMCS-MIEC, described the academy as the beginning of a long-term movement rather than a one-time event.
"AYLA is not just a one-week program. It is the beginning of a growing community of young leaders across Asia," he said.
He also announced that preparations are underway for the second Catholic Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), scheduled to be held from November 3 to 13, 2026, at the International Youth Training Centre in Chiang Mai. The program, an initiative of Pax Romana IMCS-MIEC, focuses on leadership formation rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, dialogue, and service for young Catholic leaders across Asia.
