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“We advocate decent work and a dignified life for young people”
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.
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International YCW Day: Remembering the Road Covered and Shaping the Future
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.