Change Agents

Change Agents Program

The Global Change Agent program is an international leadership development opportunity that empowers young leaders as change-makers in their own communities. The Australian Change Agents come together for a two-day training and induction program to build cohesion as a group, ensure awareness of Movement strategy at both a national level and global level, and to plan for their national project and individual projects. Change Agents also usually attend global training and a global gathering.

The program is coordinated by the World YMCA and engages young leaders across the globe in training opportunities (online and face-to-face), projects and initiatives on local and global level and provide mentoring support.​ Collectively, Change Agents are a resource for action. They are champions for change and impact within the YMCA Change Model framework. All participants of the program are also expected to implement at least one project during their term.

For Cohort 5.0, in Australia, an extensive selection process took place to select the final six. We had nearly 30 young people from across all States and Territories express interest in the program. The selection process then included an evaluation by our intergenerational panel, with 11 individuals shortlisted for interview. Following the interviews, the final shortlist was provided to World Y and APAY for further evaluation and selection.

We are thrilled to announce that World Y has selected six Change Agents to represent Australia for Cohort 5.0 – say hi 👋 to

• Nicholas Erskine from Y Brisbane
• Tina Flaskas from Y NSW
• Lily Chancey from Y Ballarat
• Alisha Nurnaitis from Y Geelong
• Elysse McCabe from Y SA
• Ashleigh Foster from Y WA

We’re proud to say that Australia has the second largest delegation of Change Agents globally, reflecting the quality of the candidates and our nation-wide commitment to the program.

Learn more about the global Change Agent program.

“I have come away from my experience with my eyes open, my heart full and my head trying to process everything I have learnt. From my experience my spark has been ignited. I vow to continue to nurture my spark with love and fuel it with passion so I can become the change in the world I want to be.” – Tanya Mischler, Change Agent.