Australian Young Christian Workers have joined international YCW members, past and present, in Belgium to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the movement.
The May 1-12 celebrations began with an international Mass at Notre-Dame de Laeken in Brussles followed by a youth festival and leader exchanges across Europe.
YCW was founded by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, a “son of the working class” who began organising young workers in 1912 in his parish, Laeken, where he now lays. YCW was officially recognised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, who listened and responded to Cardinal Cardijn’s wish to “save young workers”.
Cardinal Cardijn was a visionary who defended the rights and dignity of young workers. His message of “see, judge, act” is still relevant today and continues to inspire young people around the world.
Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Hongbo, congratulated the YCW on reaching such a milestone and encouraged the YCW to continue fighting for better working conditions and adequate representation for young people worldwide.
He reminded the YCW that they are one of the few youth organisations with consultative status at the ILO and have been an invaluable partner in the journey to protect labour rights.
Mr Hongbo concluded that the YCW’s unwavering commitment to young workers’ rights was essential to achieving this. “Your vision of a society, built on dignity, solidarity and social justice, aligns with the ILO’s mission. Together, we can be a driving force for change for the next century and beyond.”
YCW national president Achut Thuc, from Melbourne, represented the Australian YCW together with leaders Thomas Magri from Paramatta Diocese and Joseva Saukuru from Adelaide. They were accompanied by a former member, Stefan Gigacz, from Perth.
Ms Thuc, who arrived in Australia as a teenage refugee from Sudan, said the YCW has transformed her life. She now works as a community mental health worker in the public housing towers in Richmond, Melbourne.
To mark the special anniversary in Australia, the YCW, in partnership with the Australian Cardijn Institute and Cardijn Communities, will celebrate Masses throughout the country.
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Australian Young Christian Workers – 100 years of the YCW (YCW)
