Second Issue of IYCW Bulletin: "The Gender Challenge"
The Gender Challenge
The IYCW is a movement committed to young workers, which wants to respond to their needs and class aspirations and tries to represent all their diversity. Since 2016 in the framework of its campaign for Just Work with adequate Social Protection for all, the movement developed, among others, specific campaigns in the sector of precarious work (production chains, work in the maquilas/FTZ...), in the informal sector and the Social Solidarity and Economy.
Likewise, the IYCW has intensified the debates and actions on the gender dimension, because regardless of the situation in the different sectors of society, exploitation is still more pronounced towards women as a whole, and especially towards young women workers, whom we are reaching.
In the processes of action and organization we have carried out, we have become aware of the imbalances and inequalities that exist in society with regard to the rights of men and women, although the laws contemplate them, it is almost always "wet paper". At this point in the history of mankind, technical development and global progress in all aspects, has not been able to pass on the benefits of human development equally between men and women. Why is that?
In this issue we want to address the transversal nature of the gender dimension through an analysis of what is happening at the international level, recognizing the progress made and paying special attention to the activities and actions that the YCW movements are developing in the countries. We also collected testimonies on adult support for actions and programs in this sector.
In June 2022, the IYCW organized a webinar on the topic and this publication also makes the link to that activity. By focusing on this dimension, we want to make what is happening visible and bring elements to the debate in the society.
The IYCW: 65 years of action and struggle with and for young workers
On this day of 25th August 2022, the IYCW is celebrating its 65th anniversary as an international movement of young workers. We are celebrating the first YCW world assembly in Rome in 1957, marked by the birth of the YCW as an international movement.
As we celebrate the anniversary of the IYCW, we also celebrate the different actions and campaigns we have carried out over the years. We celebrate all the changes we brought into our society, communities or even in our lives as individuals and in the lives of young workers who are fighting for a better future. We also celebrate our values and aspirations that keep on motivating us to be actors in our societies and to be the key for change.
Looking back at our history, Cardijn developed and built the YCW as a movement in 1925. Today, almost 100 years later, the IYCW continues to build the movement by reaching out to more young workers in precarious conditions and developing action that will change our situation.
We would like to take this moment to remind all young workers of what we have accomplished as a movement of young workers all over the world and the progress we have achieved.
We have never stopped believing that young workers are worth more than money and more than all the gold in the world. The YCW must give more hope and call all the young workers wherever they are to act for a just world and dignity.
We encourage every activist and member around the world to continue carrying out actions and activities to reinforce our campaign on just work, equality and dignity for all young workers. We also urge you to take a good look and note your achievements; let this motivate you to continue because the fight is far from over and there is more to be done, so we need every young worker to stand together so we can all build the new society in which everyone is equal and every work is valorized.
In the footsteps of Cardijn
A celebration in memory of Joseph Cardijn in Namur
A mass was celebrated in memory of Cardinal Cardijn in the Saint-Nicholas church in Namur, Belgium, on May 8, 2022, on the initiative of former members of Catholic action movements who used the See-Judge-Act method created by the founder of the Young Christian Workers, a movement whose 100th anniversary will be celebrated in 2025 and which has branches in some fifty countries around the world and an international secretariat in Schaerbeek, Belgium.
At the request of Mgr Warin, Bishop of Namur, the mass was presided over by Fr Joseph Bayet, former JOC-F chaplain and former vicar general in Namur, assisted by Fr Jacques Hanon, IYCW collaborator, and Fr Pierre Dejardin, the parish priest.
During the service, the Philippine Leizyl Salem, treasurer of the IYCW, who was accompanied by the Brazilian Arlindo De Oliveira, in charge of the International Cardijn Association (ICA), recalled that Joseph Cardijn's parents had accepted that their eldest son study to become a priest instead of going to work in a factory, because he wanted to help young workers to find answers to their difficult living conditions, using the famous See-Judge-Act method that he proposed later on.
Quoting testimonies from members of different branches of the IYCW, the dynamic spokesperson showed how Cardijn's legacy is still relevant today and how important it is for those young people to be part of the movement which "since its foundation, has always been committed to the development and transformation of young people's lives and work."
Young Workers of the World: Unite and Stand for Peace, Justice and Equality!
The International Workers’ Day is a day to commemorate the historic values and achievements of generations of workers. But even as we celebrate the successes and triumphs of workers’ solidarity, we know that the challenges faced by people across the world require collective strength and commitment to carry forward the fight for rights, freedoms, peace, equality and justice.
The economy all over the world has not recovered from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has made more evident the persistent, systemic inequalities that are rooted in and shaped by economic, political, social, and cultural structures. This has also unmasked how the health system of every country is weak and the budget too low for an equal access to social protection. In addition, the climate crisis continues to worsen, the terrible situation of the working people and the poor continues to deteriorate as imperialist nations and regional powers pursue their own geopolitical interests with continuous war drives at the cost of the lives of ordinary masses who are confronted with the food crisis and other hardships. The severe economic recession around the world has pushed a drastic number of people into poverty, joblessness and social insecurity. Even those with jobs are suffering from precarity and reduced income.
The IYCW Post-Covid Coordination Is Stronger Today Thanks To Team Members Who Have Completed their Mandates
Several members of the International Team at the regional level were elected at the virtual International Council held in September 2021. Since then, the International Team has started the integration process to ensure that the tasks and responsibilities of the movement can be transferred properly, and the work can be followed up.
The integration process lasted until February 2022 when Sarah Prenger, the international president, and Orlando Machado, the secretary-general, completed their respective mandates that began in 2016. At the regional level, Nanang Ibrahim (ASPAC) and Luis Vargas (JOCA) also completed their mandates.
All those whose mandates ended had worked hard for 5 years to develop the movement and organize concrete actions at the national and international levels.
As a worker movement, the IYCW expresses its full gratitude to leaders who have completed their mandates after giving their best for the YCW.
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