The youth community makes up half of the world’s population. With a view to create worldwide awareness about this youth community and to ensure youth participation in development programs, the UN General Assembly on 3 rd November 1978, according to its resolution no. 33/7, declared the years 1981-90 as Youth Decade and 1985 as International Youth Year . Being inspired by sprit of International Youth Year some socially conscious youths of Sitakund Upazilla under Chittagong District of Bangladesh began to motivate and organize the youth community to establish a development organization. In this way on 20 th May 1985 by active initiation of the socially conscious youth, a social development organization called YPSA (Young P ower in Social A ction) began its course of participation in the development process.

Vision

YPSA envisions a society without poverty where everyone’s basic needs and rights are ensured.

Mission

YPSA exists to participate with the poor and vulnerable population with all commitment to bring about their own and society’s sustainable development.

Legal Status

YPSA is a voluntary, nonprofit, social development organization registered with the different departments of the people’s republic of Bangladesh including NGO Affairs Bureau, Department of Social welfare, Department of Youth Development, Health and Family Welfare, Copyright office , Register of Joint Stock Companies and Firms and Micro Credit Regulatory Authority .

Organizational Core Values

YPSA will live and its members of staff, volunteer and governance will be abided by the following common sets of beliefs and standards:

Patriotism and commitment to national interest, sovereignty and national pride: Patriotism and their national interests will be on top of all their concerns. In every sphere, national sovereignty and pride will be given priority over the interests on groups and individuals. They will also be respectful to and promote all the good elements of our culture.

Justice, transparency and accountability : They believe, the rich, poor, indigenous people, small occupational class, people with disability and human beings of all ages cannot be discriminated against on any ground, and all are entitled to equal justice and rights. They will remain transparent and accountable to their primary stakeholders and others concerned for the effectiveness of their work, and will maintain openness in their judgments and communications.

Mutual respect and gender friendliness : They recognize that each person is uniquely creative and they believe in human equality. They have mutual respect both for the people and for their environment. They believe that mutual respect leads to true participation, empowerment, motivation and commitment. YPSA’s organizational environment will be one of respect and gender equality where everyone will be considered as human beings not just men and women. Where necessary, they will discriminate in favor of women and girls to promote their rights.

Quality and excellence : They will strive for highest possible standards in their conduct and performance. This will require continual renewal and regeneration of the organization and their work. They believe that they should seek continual innovation and not be afraid of failures. To achieve quality and excellence they must be transparent and accountable, timely, cost-effective, and work in appropriate and manageable ways.

Humility and confidence : They will always be aware of their humility to the primary stakeholders of their work and other development players. They will be respectful and tolerant to the society, various views and creativity. To them every human being is special with some unique quality that deserves respect. Simultaneously, based on their experience, quality and commitment they will remain confident about taking sides with the poor and marginalized people.

Respect for diversity : They believe diversity is one of the common major characteristics in every society that paves the way for creativity. They will be respectful to the diversities with an effort to create and promote unity.

Support for environment and ecology : They believe for safe and healthy living good environment and ecology are indispensable. YPSA will actively take sides with all initiatives for the protection and betterment, and against any step towards degradation of the environment and ecology.