The International Young Christian Workers (IYCW), together with YCW Peru, will be organizing its XV International Council and exchanges of actions and good practices on engaging young people in Lima, Peru, from 23^rd October to 8^th November 2022 with the theme, “Called to Act for Just Work”.

This will be the first event we are holding in person after the spreading of Covid-19 and the many challenges we had to face, and we will count on the presence of 14 national movements and more than 45 delegates from Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Responding to Pope Francis’s call for young economists, entrepreneurs, practitioners and changemakers to “give a soul to the economy” and work towards an ecologically responsible economy that cares for all and leaves no one behind, more than a thousand young people from different parts of the world came to Assisi, Italy for the Economy of Francesco 2022 Global Event from 22 to 24 September.

They were days full of meaningful encounters, bridges and harvest. A space to share and listen to the stories, to learn about diverse initiatives and best practices, to connect with young people from other parts of the world, and to be part of a shared global commitment that seeks change.

Young people, including the representative of the IYCW and the network on the Future of Work After Laudato Si project where we belong, shared powerful spoken word pieces, echoing the very essence of the Economy of Francesco: “We are the women and men of listening and dialogue, connecting bridges and seeking to give soul to the economy.” Motivated and empowered by the encounter, the community proceeded to build bridges as ongoing projects were shared and ideas exchanged. Possible collaborative actions were sought to identify ways to transform towards an ecologically and socially responsible economy.

Sanghar is one of the 23 districts of the Sindh province that were declared calamity-hit by the Sindh provincial government. [Rehan Khan/EPA]

One third of Pakistan has been inundated by floods, causing widespread destruction, leaving over 1,000 people dead and over 1,500 injured. At least 33 million people have been affected and millions of young workers have lost their jobs.

What is happening?

1. More than one million houses have been destroyed or damaged.
2. Access to clean water, food and shelter are the most pressing needs.
3. We are seeing people with respiratory infections, fever, skin diseases and diarrhoea.
4. An urgent scale-up of the response is needed from humanitarian groups and others.
5. People must be safeguarded before further rains arrive.

The Pakistan YCW is calling all leaders and members of the International YCW everywhere to support young workers and their families, especially children and women affected by the floods. The Pakistan YCW is working day and night to collect and deliver needed items including drinking water, water purification tablets, hygiene kits, medicines, vaccines, therapeutic nutritional supplements for children, pregnant and lactating women, and mosquito nets.

The Pakistan YCW also wants to help young workers resume their job and will support the government to re-establish critical services for young workers, children and women as soon as possible.

In these difficult times, your support can save lives. Your contribution can help the Pakistan YCW reach more young workers and families with critical, urgent and life-saving supplies.

If you wish to help the Pakistan YCW, please make a donation to the International YCW bank account which will transfer the money to the local leaders.

Bank: BELFIUS
Account holder : JOC Internationale aisbl
IBAN account: BE50 0682 2908 4018
SWIFT code: GKCCBEBB
Purpose of the donation: Support YCW Pakistan

On behalf of the Pakistan YCW and the flood victims, thank you very much for your generosity, solidarity and donations.