Celebrating the International Week of Young Workers and

a Century of Commitment to Young Workers

Just work for all – our right, our passion, our action.  This is the proud boast of International Young Christian Workers (YCW), which this year celebrates a century of commitment to the rights and dignity of all young workers.

Founded by Joseph Cardijn in 1912 in response to the unjust conditions and low pay of young workers in Belgium, YCW today continues its commitment to the right of each young person to just and meaningful work and a fulfilling life.

“Our vision and action are based on the beliefs and values of our founder, Joseph Cardijn”, said Geethani Peries, the International President of the YCW.  “He emphasised over and over again that “young people are worth more than all the gold in the world.” We try to live that belief in our own lives and in our solidarity with young workers across the globe. As the YCW is preparing for the International Council to be held in Ghana this year, it is opportune for us at this critical moment to return to our founding spirit and examine our original charter and vision. The International Council will provide a forum for young people from forty countries around the world to raise their voices for the rights of all young workers.”

Quality jobs for Youth: are we asking too much?

On April 20, the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Youth Forum organised a joint conference on "Quality Jobs for Youth: are we asking too much?"

The International YCW, represented by two of its members, Geethani Peries (international president) and Arlindo de Oliveira (international treasurer), attended this major event which brought together young people from many different countries of Europe as well as organizations, such as the IYCW, working at the international level, including Social Alert/World Solidarity (Ben Vanpeperstraete) and the youth wing of ACV (Tom Vrijens).

Organised by the European Economic and Social Committee/Observatoire du Marché de l'Emploi and the European Youth Forum, the conference focused on solutions to the problems of high unemployment and lack of quality job placements, and asked the question: “Are pre-employment contracts and precarious jobs a threat or opportunity for young people?”

Young Workers’ Campaign for Social Protection

Leaders from India and the Philippines, as well as the ASPAC (continental coordination of the IYCW for Asia and the Pacific) members got together in Hong Kong to analyze in greater depth the reality of young workers in the region and to assess the international campaign on social protection carried out by the IYCW movements in Asia and the Pacific. Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan could not participate but they sent their contributions regarding the analysis. As planned in the international campaign defined in 2008, ASPAC has been working on 4 specific issues at the regional level:

• Just work: right to decent income
• Right to freedom of association
• Gender balance
• Right to quality education.

Based on the investigation conducted by the leaders in the different countries where the YCW is present, ASPAC has been able to progress in their analysis, more particularly in relation with the living and working conditions faced by young people in the region.

The ASPAC continental campaign is based on the fundamental principle of social justice and on the universal right of any individual to live with their family in dignity. The IYCW members in Asia are convinced that the provisions in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights aim to promote the understanding that nobody should live under a certain level of income and that everyone should have access to basic social services.

To strengthen Young Christian Workers' actions

2012 is a special year for IYCW. The movement will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Movement's foundation in Belgium as well as the 55th anniversary of the International Movement's creation (IYCW Coordination). In August, IYCW will also hold its XIII International Council in Ghana, Africa.

In order to promote and support the action carried out by young workers members of IYCW around the world for the right to social protection in their countries, IYCW leaders are inviting you to a “SOLIDARITY DINNER” together with IYCW.

The dinner will take place on May 11^th, from 6 pm to 11 pm, in Salle de la Jeunesse, rue Meisens 38, at 1000 Brussels (Ste Catherine area). Contribution to costs: €20 per person including a main course, dessert and a drink.

Registrations will be accepted until April 30, either by phone at 0488.822955 or 02.242.18.11, by fax at 02.242.48.00, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by post at JOCI, avenue Georges Rodenbach, 4, 1030 Bruxelles.

International Women's Day 2012

The International Young Christian Workers Movement (IYCW) joins hands in solidarity with young women to pledge its continuing support for equal rights and equal opportunities for all young workers.   International Women’s Day is a critical day for us to raise our voices publicly and together.  It is an opportunity for us to celebrate women’s lives and achievements, as well as to focus on the inequality and injustice that continue to occur in our day-to-day lives.

We know from our own stories that young women make up the majority of those living in poverty, that millions of women have died needlessly due to lack of healthcare and safe living and working conditions, and  that there is a worldwide pandemic of violence against women.

The International Young Christian Workers in the Americas just finished their continental meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There were participants from many different countries: Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Brazil, Haiti, and Quebec. In addition, there was a representative from the International Secretariat as well as some delegates from other organizations also invited to this continental meeting.

Three exchanges took place before the continental meeting. One exchange was held in Paraguay regarding Gender Equality and Actions of the movements, and the other two exchanges were help in Brazil, in Joao Pesoa and Sao Vicente, regarding solidarity economy.

After these exchanges, all delegates participated in the continental meeting in Rio de Janeiro in order to review the actions of the movement, develop the discussion on the continuity of the actions, and come up with a concrete action plan.

The young activists of the YCW national movements developed a very good discussion about the IYCW movement today and the transformation of young people in society through the methodology of our movement.  

The delegates made an evaluation of their plan of action and its implementation in the national movements. A very good discussion took place on the action process; the participants identified the challenges facing them as well as the causes of those challenges in order to develop a concrete plan for the coming years, keeping in mind the International Council 2012.

The leaders of the national movements really got involved in the continental meeting, showing their commitment to have a good preparation towards the International Council.

A great cultural night was organized to promote cultural exchange and the integration of delegates.