August 25, 2025 marks a new milestone in the centenary celebrations of the YCW. This date holds special significance for the International YCW, as on August 25, 1957, the movement organized a historic global gathering in Rome. On St. Peter’s Square, more than 32,000 young workers from all over the world came together with Pope Pius XII, with Cardijn, Church authorities, and over 10,000 invited guests to reaffirm and consolidate the YCW as an international movement of young workers.
Once again this year, national YCW movements – from local to national levels – are organizing their own centenary celebrations, including the International YCW Day. These initiatives aim to carry forward the pioneering spirit of previous generations, deepen the understanding of our history, encourage consistency in the commitment to the movement, and strengthen grassroots action.
Many activities are being planned not only to celebrate the date, but also to highlight the challenges and demands of working youth in the struggle for decent work and dignified lives. Discussions are being organized on key topics for the movement and for young people today, such as working conditions, unemployment, responses to these issues, and the challenges of organizing youth today.
Activities involving former YCW members are also planned. Other tools like videos, articles, and social media campaigns will be used to reach and engage more young people with the message of the movement.
In connection with the YCW centenary, these activities carry a deep meaning. As Achut from Australia said: “Each city has to organize its own centenary celebrations. Concerning the 25th, we need to mobilize people around this historic date.”
For Trésor, from the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The activities of August 25 will be an opportunity to strengthen the struggle for decent work, raise awareness among young people, and push for their rights.”
Louise from Brazil added: “These celebrations are a time to remember the path we have walked, while keeping an eye on the present and holding hope for the future.”
And according to Hamdani from Indonesia: "The centenary is not just a celebration of a distant event, it is the expression of a spirit that must endure—from its origins to today and into the future. The struggle must not stop with one generation. It must be eternal."
The Brazilian delegates left Rio de Janeiro on board the ocean liner LAENNEC to attend the Council in Rome in 1957.
They made numerous stops along the way, including Madeira, the Canary Islands, and the port of Le Havre (France).
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