Recognizing a void in undergraduate social work education, Amou Mawien founded Youth In Macro to bridge the gap between classroom theory and systemic advocacy. While traditional curricula focused heavily on clinical roles, Mawien observed that students eager to dismantle broken systems lacked a clear pathway into policy work.

Frustrated by the absence of a professional pipeline for aspiring macro social workers, Mawien launched the organization’s inaugural cohort in 2025. What began as a group of four students conducting policy research has since evolved into a multi-university, student-led movement. Today, Youth In Macro provides the mentorship and network necessary to ensure those closest to societal problems have a seat at the decision-making table.

We believe students do not need to wait until they are established professionals to have a voice in policy or research. Everything we build starts with listening to what students actually need and ends with creating real access to the spaces they belong in. From research fellowships to policy workshops to advocacy training, our approach is practical, student-centered, and rooted in the understanding that proximity to the problem is a qualification — not a barrier.

Access. Advocacy. Authenticity. We believe in radical access for students who have been locked out of policy spaces. We believe advocacy is a skill that can be taught and a right that should not be gatekept. And we believe in showing up authentically — as social workers, as students, and as people who are closest to the communities we serve.