By Rachel Westerby*

On World Day of Social Justice, celebrated around the world on February 20^th 2025, we sit down with Ignacio Alonso Alasino (ICMC and the FOWLS Project) and Basma Louis (International Young Christian Workers) to take stock of the future of work, the fight for social justice, and their plans for the coming period.

“The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato Si’” (FOWLS) Project builds a global transformative community of Catholic-inspired and other faith-based organizations engaged in advocacy for decent and just work and social justice. Photo: Participants at the “Care is Work, Work is Care: Towards Building a Global Transformative Community and Contributing to the Global Development Agenda” event, organized by the ICMC-coordinated FOWLS Project, with the support of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in Rome on 8-10 May 2024. © ICMC

Pontien, a man of service, compassion and action! You are gone but will never be forgotten.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the passing of our esteemed International Collaborator, Pontien Kabongo who left us on Friday 27 December 2024.

"A year ago, I left my baby and migrated to Brazil. I left my country, Venezuela, because I depended on day labor for survival. When I crossed the border, I ran out of money and had to sell bananas on the streets for a few months. I did everything I could to eat and survive. Sadly, those who took advantage of me were also Venezuelans, who made me work long hours, paid very little, and took a long time to pay. Now, I trust Brazilians more than my own compatriots. It has been very difficult to get used to a new language. I believe that states should promote information services on work and studies for migrants to facilitate adaptation to the changes in language and culture." - Alberto, Venezuelan, 21 years old.