Continental meeting of the YCW African leaders: a call to strengthen the actions, leadership and coordination of the YCW movements in Africa
Once again, hope replaced the apprehension caused by the harsh reality of precarious work, unemployment or informal work experienced by thousands of young workers in Africa. Under the theme "Conquering a dignified life through the action of young workers", the representatives of the various PANAF movements were able to share their life stories, their experiences, their analyses and their alternative proposals for responding to the various challenges faced by young workers in their respective countries.
On 20 July 2024, a wonderful continental meeting took place between the African leaders of the YCW movements from Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Congo Kinshasa, Egypt, Ghana and Namibia, and some members of the International secretariat of the YCW.
During the online event, the representatives were able to discuss the political, social, professional and educational situations that they and their peers experienced. They presented their vision of the main difficulties they face when trying to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. They were also able to discover together the causes, consequences and common aspects of their realities.
Notably, the lack of access to decent work was highlighted. It was noted that a growing number of young graduates do not have access to employment and are forced to work in the informal sector, without appropriate working conditions. It was noted that there is motivation for entrepreneurship and the creation of start-ups by young people, but that the basic conditions for their realisation, whether financial, technical or operational, are not provided for. It was pointed out that precariousness is more abrupt in the daily lives of women, who suffer from various types of gender-based discrimination.
Giorgio Casula, always PRESENT!
Yes, we still need to talk about our friend and activist Giorgio. He left us on Sunday 23 June!
But he will always be PRESENT!
Giorgio, from a family originally from Sardinia, started working at the age of 14. His school of life and struggle was the Belgian YCW, where he was an activist and national leader in the 1970s and 80s, and the European YCW, where he was leader from 1987 to 1991, as part of the International Team of the IYCW.
Married to Joaninha, former president of the Portuguese YCW, they are the parents of a son Vasco and a daughter Inès.
Giorgio, who became a Portuguese citizen, was an activist and leader in the CGTP trade union.
Giorgio and Joaninha also founded and ran a reception and social and professional integration centre for migrants from former Portuguese colonies on the outskirts of Lisbon.
Giorgio and Joaninha have always maintained contact with the current and former leaders of the Portuguese YCW.
The Reality of Young People in India: some Highlights after the Visit of the International Secretariat to YCW India
From May 12th till 24th 2024, Basma Louis, the international president responsible for Asia-Pacific, visited India with the aim of strengthening the action plan and development of the movement
India is one of the most populated and extended countries in the world. Most of the young people in the YCW suffer from the informality and instability of employment, most young people do not have a quality education and do not have access to employment, and when they do have a job, it is informal and insecure.
These young workers have no vision and it is difficult for them to dream about the future, which is a big question mark for them. They live from day to day and work to survive.
A committed YCW member and kind-hearted volunteer with the International YCW, Annie Bricteux has passed away
Annie,
Every Monday for years, you came to work in the IYCW archives alongside Marie-Rose and Marie-Paule. With discretion and efficiency.
Every Monday, you would come in smiling, happy to continue helping the IYCW to which you dedicated so much of your life. With passion.
Every Monday, you would bring cookies and other treats to share with the entire Secretariat team at break time. With generosity.
Until Covid interrupted all those beautiful moments. With violence.
Until the day you had to fight cancer. With courage.
You have left us, and it is with a heavy heart that we are sending you this message. Thank you, Annie, for your precious help, your comforting presence, your contagious smile and your sincere friendship. Thank you for everything. From the bottom of our hearts.
(Editor's note: Annie was an activist with the Walloon YCW and then Vie Féminine. Alongside Marguerite Fiévez and other volunteers, she was one of the pillars of the team of archivists at the Walloon YCW and, later, at the International Secretariat of the IYCW).
The YCW Opens Up to New Challenges - An Organization in the Making: the DRC YCW in a Process of Extension
“It's been 3 years since I finished my university studies and it's hard for me to find a job, so we're making a living in the informal sector. Our government has no job creation policy, and Congolese youth is suffering enormously. To avoid falling into banditry, I've opted for entrepreneurship: I buy clothes and sell them on the Internet. This allows me to live and take care of myself. To get a job, you need to belong to a political clan. If you're not involved in politics, it's hard to get a stable job.” - Testimony from a young man in DRC
Congolese young people have the capacity to face up to difficult situations, as testified by this young man who, despite the situation in which he lives, manages to work. Nevertheless, as young people, they need to find alternatives and real solutions to their precarious situation. This is why the YCW is working to find solutions for a better future and a dignified life.
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