An interview with Basma Louis published in the magazine Démocratie
The International Young Christian Workers (IYCW) is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This was an opportunity to talk to its president, herself a child of the IYCW, about the current and future challenges facing this movement, which she described as a “school of life.” We also discussed the methods used by the organization, which is run by and for young people and places their experiences and material realities—particularly those of young workers in situations of precariousness and exploitation—at the heart of collective social transformation.
What forms of precariousness affect young people today?
Young people today face multiple and growing forms of precariousness. This manifests itself in economic insecurity—unstable jobs, unemployment, informal or underpaid work—as well as limited access to housing, education, and quality healthcare. Young workers are particularly exposed to extreme forms of precariousness. Many of them work in the gig economy—an economy based on flexible and precarious jobs—as delivery drivers, chauffeurs, or digital freelancers. They are often considered “self-employed,” but have no real social protection: no stable contract, no health insurance, no pension. These young people sometimes work in very difficult conditions: long hours, unpredictable pay, algorithmic pressure, isolation, and no way to assert their rights. They must constantly be “available” in order to earn a minimum income, while assuming the risks associated with their work. This precariousness has a profound psychological impact. Permanent instability leads to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, which unfortunately translates into rising suicide rates among young people in many countries. The climate crisis further exacerbates this insecurity. Environmental degradation and political inaction in the face of this emergency fuel a sense of powerlessness and despair among young people about the future. Furthermore, the rise of far-right ideologies and authoritarian policies are fueling widespread disillusionment with the system. Many young people are losing faith in institutions, which they perceive as distant from their realities and aspirations. In response, some are turning to social media, creating a virtual bubble that can reinforce isolation and withdrawal.
How is the IYCW adapting its work to these new forms of precariousness?
The IYCW acts by offering these young workers a space where they can express their experiences, analyze their situation, and collectively build responses, as recommended by the “See, Judge, Act” method.
We also work to create safe, offline spaces where young people can express themselves freely and organize collectively. In terms of mental health, we offer psychological support and resilience tools. Finally, to combat isolation and misinformation, we carry out a wide range of media literacy and critical thinking education initiatives.
Is the “See, Judge, Act” method still relevant given today’s challenges?
I sincerely believe so. If we are aiming for systemic change in society, this method is essential. It can be adapted in different ways to suit the current characteristics of young people without losing its essence. It enables young people to understand their realities, take action, and create lasting transformation in their lives and the world around them. The method begins with SEE: we analyze our situation from all angles. We examine the causes and consequences of our struggles through social, political, economic, and cultural analysis. This gives us a deeper and more complete understanding of our reality. Then we move on to JUDGE: here we reflect on how we feel about the situation, how we can improve it and move towards our ideal, and how our values and principles guide us in this analysis. Finally, we ACT. This is the crucial part where we think about what actions we can take, individually and collectively, to transform our living conditions. It is not just about understanding the problem, but also about taking responsibility for transforming our conditions. Through this method, individuals go from being passive actors to agents of change in society.
How do you integrate climate issues into your struggles?
Within the IYCW, climate and ecology issues are at the heart of our work. The impact of environmental change is already transforming the world of work, and as workers we understand that the ecological crisis directly affects our lives, our livelihoods and threatens our future. The most vulnerable communities—precarious workers, migrants, etc.—are often the most affected by environmental degradation. For the IYCW, ecology is not only an environmental issue, but also a matter of social justice. We link climate change to issues of inequality, exploitation, and workers' rights. The IYCW is actively involved in raising awareness and taking action on this issue around the world. For example, in the YCW movements in Chile and Peru, the issue of climate justice is at the heart of their work. At the regional level in Asia-Pacific, climate justice is one of their main campaigns. In 2024, a regional seminar was held, bringing together national movements from across Asia, during which issues of climate justice and social protection were discussed in depth. Furthermore, in many movements, even if specific actions do not focus directly on climate issues, there is a strong emphasis on education and training on these environmental themes. The IYCW is committed to ensuring that its members are not only aware of these issues, but that they are also actively involved in promoting climate justice and defending policies that protect both the environment and workers' rights. As part of our centenary celebrations, on May 2, we are organizing a public forum on action and collaboration for a just transition for social and climate justice. This event involves the MOC (Christian Worker Movement), the ACV (Christian trade union), and other partners, who will bring their perspectives and contributions to this important exchange.
Women's rights are also at the heart of your action. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, young women are one of the most vulnerable groups in today's society. In many countries, they continue to suffer violence and discrimination. This dehumanization is deeply rooted in social structures and, unfortunately, in the way some women perceive themselves. This internalized oppression is one of the most difficult challenges to address. Within the IYCW, we are committed to raising awareness of these issues and ensuring that they are taken into account at national and international level. We have a Gender Commission at international level, which plays a key role in organizing webinars and creating educational tools to raise awareness among our members about these gender-specific issues. In addition, the IYCW has developed basic tools on gender, which are used in the training of our members to help them understand gender equality, combat violence and promote a more equitable society. This ensures that gender equality is not just a rhetorical discussion, but a cross-cutting issue in our work at all levels of the movement.
You have developed a protocol for protecting women at all levels of your organization. Can you explain it to us?
Of course. This work is being carried out by a dedicated committee, which includes members from Latin America. The aim is to create an international framework that reflects our values of equality, dignity, and safety for all women involved in our movement. Although the protocol is defined at the international level, it is designed to be adapted by each national movement according to its local reality and laws. We believe it is essential that national movements take ownership of this tool to make it truly effective and applicable in their context. This protocol aims to establish clear standards and concrete mechanisms to prevent gender-based violence, support victims, and promote a safe and respectful environment. It will also include awareness-raising and training components on gender-based violence and discrimination. We hope that this protocol will not only serve our own movement, but will inspire other youth and workers' organizations. It reflects our commitment to profound structural change and our conviction that social transformation begins with consistency between our values and our internal practices.
In 2025, for the centenary of the YCW, you have chosen to launch a campaign on precarious work and social injustice. Why these themes?
We chose these themes because we understand that precarious work is a kind of “umbrella” that covers many of the realities experienced by young people today.
But precariousness is not limited to work: it also affects education, housing, health, mental well-being... That is why we are not only demanding decent work, but a dignified life for young people. It is essential that young workers feel valued, regardless of their job. Respect, dignity, and recognition must be at the heart of the work experience. Work should not be a source of anxiety or fear, but rather a source of stability, identity, and pride. To develop this campaign, we will organize a series of webinars in October and November 2025 that will address job insecurity through the different realities around the world. At the same time, we are working to update our existing analyses of precarious work on each continent. This will enable us to tailor our demands to the current reality and develop our strategy based on the concrete experiences of young workers. We will also pay particular attention to workers in the platform economy, as their struggles are closely linked to the general discussions planned for the International Labour Conference (ILC). We believe it is essential to provide concrete testimonies and clear proposals so that our final statement reflects the realities on the ground and urgent needs. Our demands will focus on access to stable and fair employment, social protection, workers' rights, mental health, and recognition of all forms of work, including informal work and work carried out on digital platforms. Through this campaign, we want to raise awareness, mobilize young people, and influence policy, both internationally and by encouraging national movements to take ownership of these struggles locally.
How does the centenary help us better understand the historical impact of the IYCW on the lives of young people and society?
The centenary is not just a celebration, it is a living process that allows us to reflect, reconnect, and look to the future.
It is an opportunity to measure the historical impact of the IYCW, not only as an organization, but as a movement that has transformed lives and influenced entire societies. Since the opening of the centenary on April 12, we have begun publishing testimonials from young people and former members, as well as from our partners and networks. These stories—shared on our social media channels—illustrate how the IYCW has empowered young people, promoted social change, and fought injustice across generations and continents. As part of the centenary, we invite national movements to organize exchanges between young people and former members to strengthen the link between our history and our present. These intergenerational encounters build bridges between generations—a way to learn from the past while preparing for current and future struggles. They allow us to strengthen our movement and renew our commitment through shared memory and collective action. This dialogue is not symbolic—it is strategic. It allows us to deepen our analysis and action based on concrete stories. This centennial helps us remember who we are, recognize our collective strength, and renew our commitment to a dignified life for all. It also shows us that the IYCW is a force of resistance in the face of threats to people and the planet.
Interview conducted by the editorial team of Démocratie and France Huart, May 2025
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