Jasmine Thomas Receives Prestigious Commonwealth Youth Worker Award in Malaysia

Jasmine Thomas has been awarded a Commonwealth Youth Worker Award during the Commonwealth Youth Worker Conference in Malaysia, 17-19th November 2025, becoming the first national of the Turks and Caicos Islands to receive this highly prestigious regional and international recognition.

Jasmine Thomas collecting her award

The award celebrates her outstanding contribution to youth development and her unwavering commitment to empowering young people.

The Commonwealth Youth Worker Award is one of the highest honours in the youth development sector, celebrating individuals whose work has significantly improved the lives of young people and strengthened communities.

Jasmine Thomas was selected from a competitive pool of nominees representing diverse nations across the Commonwealth, underscoring the global prestige and rigor associated with the award.

Youth workers make an enormous contribution to national development by engaging, developing, and empowering young adults and older adolescents. Through mentorship, advocacy, and innovative programming, they inspire and motivate young people while building their skills, confidence, and resilience needed for success.

The Commonwealth Youth Worker Awards recognize these outstanding contributions and honour youth workers who foster the positive development of young people across the Commonwealth.

The awards are organised and delivered by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) in partnership with the Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers  Associations (CAYWA).

They celebrate excellence among professionals and volunteers who are at the cutting edge of youth work and aim to increase the global visibility of the youth work sector. To reflect the diversity and reach of the Commonwealth, the awards are structured across regional categories including the Caribbean, Pacific, Europe and Canada, Asia, and Africa.

Jasmine Thomas was selected through a rigorous nomination and assessment process that evaluates candidates on professional impact, innovation in problem-solving and system change, quality of achievement, strength of evidence, and sustainability of their work.

Nominees must demonstrate at least 24 months of youth development engagement and active contribution within a Commonwealth country, either in a professional or voluntary capacity. 

Her achievement not only reflects personal excellence but also places the Turks and Caicos Islands on the international stage as a contributor to progressive and impactful youth development practices.

Thereby, highlighting the vital role of youth work in national and global development. Her recognition underscores the importance of investing in youth workers who drive meaningful change, strengthen communities, and help young people realise their full potential.

Jasmine Thomas’s recognition serves as an inspiration to youth workers throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands and beyond, affirming the vital role of youth work in national and global development and highlighting the power of dedicated leadership to create lasting change.