YCW Centenary Opening Speech by Basma Louis, president of the IYCW

The centenary:

Our founder Joseph Cardijn, a "son of the working class" and a priest of the Catholic Church, began organising young workers in 1912: that was the year the first grassroots group was set up. But 1925 was the year the YCW was officially recognised in Belgium, both by the local Church and by the universal Church in the person of the Pope, who listened and responded to Cardijn's wish to "save young workers". So this year marks the 100th anniversary of the YCW!

The YCW centenary will not be an isolated event, but a process. The centenary is an opportunity to see more clearly our impact in the world and in people's lives.

Because when we look at the chronology of our movement, when we retrace the YCW's steps over the last 100 years, we don't just see dates, we see a transformation.

A transformation in the lives of individuals who have found their voice and dignity through action.

A transformation in communities where solidarity has replaced isolation.

A transformation in the workplace, where young people have organised to defend their rights and justice.

A transformation of social structures, where our collective struggles have pushed for systemic change.

This change didn't happen overnight.

It wasn't easy, or even guaranteed.

It was built slowly and steadily, thanks to the faith, perseverance and commitment of ordinary young workers who dared to dream of a better world and took action to make it a reality.

Thanks to the See, Judge and Act method, we have transformed personal struggles into collective strength.

We analysed our reality, confronted injustice and created alternatives, starting from the ground up.

And yet, despite everything we have achieved, our work is far from finished.

Precarious work continues to dominate the lives of millions of people.

Inequalities are increasing.

The climate crisis is threatening our future.

Migration continues to divide families and isolate communities.

Racism and discrimination remain deeply entrenched.

And all too often, we are treated not as human beings, but as profit-making tools, statistics or problems to be managed.

In the YCW, we also understand the importance of working together with other movements and organisations fighting for the rights of young people and workers around the world

One hundred years ago, a visionary priest, Joseph Cardijn, saw the pain and struggle of young workers and refused to accept injustice as inevitable. He believed in the value of every human being, especially the most marginalised. He believed that young workers were not victims, but agents of transformation.

And Cardijn reminded us of something that still resonates with urgency today: "A young worker is worth more than all the gold in the world.

In a world that too often treats young people as disposable objects, Cardijn's words are revolutionary. They remind us that our work is not charity, but justice.

Our movement is not just a memory, it's a mission.

We began our centenary celebrations through a virtual opening attended by young and old from all the national movements, and it was a great day.

But we're going to keep on celebrating from the 1st of May until the 12th of May!

Welcome to the centenary celebrations!

You can consult our website for more information.

Thank you to everyone.