1st May in Laeken – The Voice of YCW Young Leaders : their Commitment, Struggles and Hopes

As part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the YCW in Laeken, Belgium, we had the great pleasure of listening to inspiring testimonies from young leaders who are keeping the movement's legacy alive today. Their speeches highlighted how their involvement in the YCW is transforming their personal lives while enabling them to take concrete action to change society.

These voices represent thousands of young people around the world who, through their local actions, are fueling an international movement for transformation, dignity, and justice.

“What attracted me initially was that the movement really cares about young people and the real challenges we face. I felt that we had a voice, that we could express ourselves freely and be heard. In fact, I discovered the YCW through an initiative aimed specifically at raising awareness among young girls about the risks of early marriage and, from there, empowering them to believe in themselves. What motivates me to remain committed is that the YCW does not just raise awareness: it also gives us the means to act. It pushes us to become agents of change, for ourselves and our communities.” Neama – Egypt

“After the COVID pandemic, we started small: we set up a simple meeting place where young people could hang out without their parents. Once that was up and running, we started offering programs. Our actions are bearing fruit. These days, I'm involved in a program for young people in vocational training or still in school. Many of them face difficulties that are often not adequately addressed. We offer them training to help them apply for jobs, help them prepare for job interviews, and support them as they prepare for their final exams. In many cases, it's not just about imparting knowledge, but also about building self-confidence.” Matthias, Germany

“As a teacher, I was seeking to promote critical thinking and social awareness among young people. In the YCW, I found a space to implement these ideas in real life, beyond the classroom. The YCW is an international movement that not only connects you to a network of common struggles but also sets challenges to move forward collectively. This combination of community, reflection, and action continues to be what inspires me to keep going.” Karen – Guatemala

“In 2017, I took part in an action with the YCW to demand higher wages from the Bandung district government. I realized that young workers can really make a difference when they unite. The training I received at the YCW changed my view of work and society. Today, I am proud to be president of the YCW in my country.” Hamdani Haliman – Indonesia

And these commitments today echo those of former members who, thanks to the movement's methods and values, have pursued a life of action and transformation, both personally and professionally, and through community involvement.

“When a friend invited me to the YCW, I had graduated but was unemployed. At school, I learned things that were unrelated to my life. At the YCW, I discovered things that were truly connected to my life: job insecurity, the conditions in my neighborhood, and unfair social relations. What kept me going was the fact that the YCW pushes you to react: ‘Are you unhappy? Go and see if there are others who are going through the same thing, investigate, get organized, take action!” Josée Desrosiers – Former YCW member from Quebec

It is in this symbolic place of Laeken, where Joseph Cardijn, founder of the YCW, is buried, that his spirit continues to inspire today's young activists. The YCW continues to be a school of life, where every young person learns to know themselves, to act, to organize and to transform the world around them with dignity and solidarity.

All this despite a deeply unequal international context: social and economic inequalities are worsening, and precarious, poorly paid, or unhealthy work, particularly in the informal economy, continues to mark the lives of millions of young workers.

Racial and colonial discrimination persist, as does – needless to say – gender-based discrimination, which shatters the dreams and aspirations of many young people for a fair society. Forced migration tears families apart and isolates communities, while the climate crisis threatens the future of us all.

And yet, at the heart of these challenges, young workers carry on the mission of the YCW: to make their voices heard, to stand up for their dignity, and to fight for a more just, solidarity-based and deeply humane world.