Almost two years have passed between the 15th International Council in Peru and now. In November 2022, the representatives of the national movements were able to define and lay the foundations for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the YCW in 2025. Since then, an intense process of preparation, discussions and planning has been underway, and the time has come to reap the fruits of this great mobilisation, which relied first and foremost on the motivation and commitment of the national movements. They use the celebrations to strengthen their bases, to emphasise their actions and, most importantly, to bring the living message of the YCW to thousands of other young people.

We will be meeting in Belgium, where this wonderful story of organising, raising awareness of young people started. With the participation of activists of the Belgian and European YCW movement and various action networks, we will all be there between the 1st of May (workers' day) and the 12th, giving more life and projecting our future. Young and old, social movements and trade unions, brothers and sisters in their origins and mission, institutions and political representatives or multiple authorities who agree with our objectives of social change, all together, building dreams and utopias!

 

Welcome to all delegates, friends and networks from the most varied countries of the world where the YCW is present! Let's celebrate, let's remember, let's fight, and in this challenging international context, let's plan our future together!

 

Long live the working class! Long live the working youth! Long live the YCW!

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Modernisation and updating of the exhibition in the church of Notre-Dame de Laeken on the history of the YCW and its founder, Cardinal Joseph Cardijn

By Chris Van Mol

 

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) in 2025, the exhibition on Cardinal Cardijn in the church of Notre-Dame de Laeken will be modernised and updated. The exhibition, which has existed for more than 20 years, will be updated to reflect the lasting impact of Cardijn's work and the YCW's current actions. 

 

Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, founder of the YCW, was a visionary who defended the rights and dignity of young workers. His message of ‘see, judge, act’ is still relevant today and continues to inspire young people around the world. The renovated exhibition will highlight not only his life and work, but also the evolution of the YCW over the years.

 

 

 

WORDS OF SUPPORT FROM ILO SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR JOCI
"Celebration of the centenary of the International Young Christian Workers
1 May 2025

 

 

Leaders and Members of the International Young Christian Workers,

On behalf of the ILO, I congratulate you on reaching your 100th anniversary.

You are now officially a centenarian with a presence in more than 50 countries, and you continue to fight for better working conditions and adequate representation for young people worldwide.

You are also one of the few youth organizations with consultative status at the ILO and have been an invaluable partner in our journey to protect labour rights.

When your movement was first established in 1925, its goals were to empower young workers and promoting social justice.

Those goals are still as relevant today as they were back then.

Young people, especially young women, still face multiple challenges in the labour markets.

Global youth unemployment is three times higher than that of adults.

One in every five young people is neither employed or in education.

And many young workers are trapped in precarious, informal, and low paid jobs.

But it does not have to be this way.

Policymakers can still take action to prioritize youth employment. They can and should invest in young people’s education, skills and lifelong learning.

And the ongoing digital and green transitions in the world of work present us with new opportunities. It is our duty to ensure that jobs created in these sectors are decent and accessible to our youth.  

Your movement’s unwavering commitment to young workers' rights is essential to achieving this.

Your vision of a society, built on dignity, solidarity and social justice, aligns with the ILO's mission. Together, we can be a driving force for change for the next century and beyond.

Happy anniversary, and congratulations on one hundred years of making a difference!

 

 

 

 

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KAJ

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IMPORTANT:

 

In 2025 the movement will celebrate the anniversary of its official founding. According to the IYCW International Plan of Action 2023-2026, all YCW national movements, YCW former members and supporters are encouraged to develop an activity calendar and carry out those activities from now until 2025.

Please inform us - if not already done - as soon as possible, when you will arrive (and depart), where you will be accommodated and which points of interests you have.

 

This important piece of information can be sent to the official centenary e-mail address: E-mail: joc100years@joci.org , Or through the registration form on the official centenary website: 100 years in action: Registration – 100 years in action
We need this piece of information for the planning and good development of the activity. If you need any particular help, you can contact us in these two ways or contact your national movement of origin.

 

Finances will be an important point to guarantee the activity. When planning your journey, remember the financial solidarity that has been so important in all generations of the YCW.

 

Account details:
Account holder: JOC Internationale
Bank: Belfius
IBAN account: BE50 0682 2908 4018

Swift: GKCCBEBB
Subject: 100 years YCW

 

27-29 April:
A pre-programme for guests who arrive before is organised by a German-speaking group.
On the agenda, discovery tours on Brussels and Belgium: Guided sightseeing tours to famous places in Brussels.
Alternative tours do discover the social and solidary face of Brussels.
Thematical excursions to visit focal points (women’s project, refugee shelter, legacy of colonialism (visit to the Tervuren African Museum).

May 1st:
Public celebration
The official ceremony will take place in Laeken (Brussels). It starts at Place Bockstael in Laeken with a rally and various stands. From there, everyone will walk to the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, where Cardijn's tomb is located. An intercultural celebration
will be held there and the new exhibition on the history of the movement will be opened.
Official speeches.
Informal meetings of the guests.

 

On this day, there will be an event in Destelheide (Dworp) outside Brussels.
Workshops and discussions on current topics and historical issues are planned.
As the venue is difficult to reach, there will be a shuttle service from the station in Hal.

Destelheide
Destelheidestraat 66
1653 Dworp

May 3rd:
As part of an intercultural festival in which young people from all national movements will participate, there will be a meeting day for young and older on Saturday. On the grounds of the “Bautershof” in St. Truiden, there will be space for informal encounters, as
well as various tents with information and hands-on activities.

There will also be a shuttle service from the train station to Bautershof in St. Truiden.

Bautershof vzw
Bautershoven 95
3800 SINT-TRUIDEN