Changing systems is not a single breakthrough. It is many small choices made in the right places, with the right people, over time.
That frame set the tone as Cohort 6 gathered online on 2 October for a session on “Shifting Systems, Sparking Movements,” moderated by former Change Agent Rapheka Malunga of YMCA Zambia. The panel featured Jan Owen of World YMCA, Karen Friedman of Y-USA and Natasha Sakala of YMCA Zambia. They reflected on systems they have tried to change, where action has the most impact, and how to stay grounded when there is pushback.
What change looks like in practice
Jan described her early work with children and young people in out-of-home care in Australia. She noticed they often lacked a voice in decisions that affected them.
“We set up the first organisation in Australia for and by young people in state or foster care. They chose the name Create Foundation.”
The lesson was clear. “We learned about the power of bringing people with shared lived experiences together”, Jan said.
Jan urged participants to look beyond their own projects for ideas. “Where is innovation happening? Who else would care? At some point, you need a broader audience.”
She added a personal checkpoint. “Finding out what you do best is really important”.
Karen, Director of Strategy and Quality Practices for Mental Health at Y-USA, described how, particularly after the Covid pandemic, the Y sought to understand mental health beyond a purely medical context.
“We wanted to look at it through a community lens, and we wanted to understand and talk about mental health,” Karen said. She acknowledged that you feel systems push back when you try to change them, and that the Y chose to focus where there was the most support rather than trying to solve everything at once.
Natasha reiterated that those in power do not like change, and she said some systems stay broken because people benefit from them.
When it comes to determining where to start and what systems need changing, Natasha’s challenge to the group was direct: involve the people most affected in designing solutions, and ask the focusing questions, “Where does the shoe pinch the most? And who has the influence and the power to make the change?”
Staying grounded in the face of resistance
The panel closed with practical strategies and mindsets to adopt for the long run.
- Natasha set expectations on pace. “Systems change is not a sprint. It is a marathon. The pace might look slow, but we will cross the finish line.”
- Karen recommended a habit to sustain energy. “Look for the little wins. Write them down and put them somewhere to remind yourself that it is happening, and that the impact on individuals is real.”
- Jan offered a relational approach to influence. “Even the most powerful people in the world are normal people who want relationships. Treat them as a person, not a title.”
The session closed with a simple focus. Centre lived experience. Work where need and influence meet. Share and scale what works. Keep momentum by noticing real improvements.
