Statement on the events in Colombia
Since April 28, 2021, the world has witnessed the new social outbreak in the sister republic of Colombia. We have seen and heard the clamor of youth, women, workers, peasants and indigenous people mobilized throughout the country. We have also observed the disproportionately violent, brutal and criminal actions of the military and police forces such as the Mobile Riot Squadron (ESMAD) against the people protesting in the streets. We have little or no access to this news, and even less is known about the causes of this situation.
Colombia is one of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that has had a succession of neoliberal governments, which for decades have been implementing a series of anti-people reforms and laws in the areas of health, education, social security and labor, supported by a strong military and police system prepared for the context of war that the country is experiencing, and all of this against a backdrop of constant violations of peace treaties by the state.
The government's latest attempt at fiscal reform, the cynicism of the ultra-right, represented by one of the most infamous figures in the history of the Americas - Álvaro Uribe Vélez - and his puppet Iván Duque, the current President of the Republic, have, by imposing their neoliberal measures, unleashed a massive popular rebellion, highlighting the structural crisis that the country is going through and the failure of this model on the continent. The government's response to this energetic demonstration of the disagreement of the majorities has been more than distressing: armed repression, violation of the demonstrators’ human rights, disappearances of social leaders, sexual abuses and real urban massacres in different regions of the country.
IYCW Webinar: The Impact of Digitalization on Work, Life and Action
As part of the celebrations of the "International Week of Young Workers" and "May Day", the IYCW organized an online debate on the impact of digitalization on work, life and action on April 30.
With the participation of activists of the movement from different countries and continents, as well as a large number of representatives of social organizations, trade unions, people involved in international cooperation and former activists, the online debate was able to clarify, in its different dimensions, the impact of digitalization on young workers’ lives.
Based on the testimonies and life experiences collected and analyzed, the IYCW noted that young workers, most of whom are forced into precarious work, without contracts or with short-term contracts signed by temporary work agencies, or working in "maquilas", in the informal sector of the economy or in rural areas, as well as students and unemployed youth, do not benefit from the social and economic opportunities presented as advantages of digitalization.
IYCW Statement on May Day, International Workers' Day - The Way Towards Dignified Work in this Time of Global Pandemic
“Digitalisation is the way I can keep contact with my friends during the pandemic. But digitalisation is also the reason why people cannot keep their free time and their working time apart. It is the reason why I feel pressured to not only answer every little message, but to answer it within a few minutes. Digitalisation is a complex issue which demands a complex discussion.”
The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a worsening of the social problems faced by the working class at the international level. The pandemic has affected almost all areas of the world of work, with the risk of transmission of the virus in the workplace, and it has affected the daily life of society on a global scale.
IYCW History: Rome 1957, the IYCW bursts onto the scene
Configuration of the I.C. official opening at Saint Peter's Square in Rome
After the outbreak of the pandemic in 2019, the IYCW has postponed the celebration of the XVth International Council. However unusual the current situation is, the postponing of an important event is no first in the history of the IYCW. This article takes a look at the preparations for the World Assembly and International Council in Rome 64 years ago, events that could have taken place earlier if it wasn’t for a global crisis: the Second World War.
1957 is a year engraved in IYCW (International Young Christian Workers) memory, and for good reason. The official recognition of the statutes by Pope Pius XII in Rome marked the beginning of an independent and autonomous IYCW. At the same time, the Italian capital was buzzing with life as some 30 000 young workers from across the globe gathered for the World Assembly. Many eyes were fixed on Rome; the IYCW was about to show itself to the world.
Silence is Not an Option, End Police Repression!
Since 1997, every year on the 15th March, activists from various parts of the world call for protests and direct action against police repression or brutality. At the moment, it is difficult to gather together because of the pandemic but this does not mean that we will remain silent. Violence of authorities destroys local communities and creates a situation where any initiative is punishable not only by fines and days of imprisonment, but also by beatings and torture! While violence against political activists has to some extent fallen compared to the 20th century, today, violence against ordinary people is only increasing. This may be due to indifference, lack of solidarity or discrimination based on age or ethnical group.
On the International Day against Police Repression, the International Young Christian Workers is joining the working class, the civil society and social movements to condemn police violence and state repression.
- International Women's Day, March 8, 2021 – For the IYCW, “Young Women Are at the Forefront of Change”
- “From crisis to conversion” - 11 international Cardijn-inspired movements call to use the crisis for holistic change
- Relocation of the IYCW Archives in the KADOC Catholic Documentation Centre of the University of Leuven
- To Meet Post Covid-19 Challenges, the IYCW Calls To Work With and For Young Workers
- December 12, 2020: Join the IYCW for a Webinar on The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Workers' Reality
- Listen to the Cry of the Most Vulnerable in the Most Crucial Time We Face as Humans! And Take Steps in their Favor!
- IYCW and ICYCW celebration of Cardijn's Birthday: The Spirit of Cardijn alive in the action of YCW today
- The Impact of Covid-19 on Young Workers: an analysis by the International YCW
- IYCW Statement on the International Day for Decent Work
- 63rd Anniversary of the International YCW: Fighting for a just and dignified world!
- Solidarity campaign with the Peru YCW
- IYCW demands valorization of domestic work(ers)
- “Generation Connection”: the new national campaign of the Australian YCW
- Press release of the International YCW for 1st May
- Young workers take the floor during the Covid19 pandemic
- The IYCW celebrates the International Week of Young Workers - April 24th - May 1st, 2020
- The International Team holds its annual ordinary meeting at a time of precariousness, unemployment, globalization and digitization of work
- IYCW Panel Debate: "Popular Education as an Organizing Tool
- "Working for a Promising Future", IYCW Intervention at the ILO Centenary, ILC 2019
- YCW Wallonia-Brussels is standing up against fascism and racism