IYCW Colloquy promotes inter-generational solidarity

Jean-Marie Dumortier, Fabrice Epis, Marlyse Strasser and Arlindo de Oliveira animate a session at the IYCW Colloquy

Current and former leaders of the YCW movement gathered in Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany, over the 24-26 September weekend for the IYCW International Colloquy, with the aim of developing cooperation between the various generations of leaders.

Participants shared their experience of developing networks of former YCW leaders in the various continents, notably in Latin America. CCI treasurer, Stefan Gigacz, also presented the Cardijn Community model.

IYCW president, Ludovicus Mardiyono, and treasurer, Andy Predicala, also shared their reflections on the needs and challenges faced by the movement today.

Marlyse Strasser, Fabrice Epis and Jacques Hanon presented the work of the International Cardijn Association (formerly known as the International Cardijn Foundation), particularly the gathering of more than 200 personal testimonies by former YCW leaders.

A series of presentations from current YCW leaders as well as several experts also highlighted a number of challenges facing the world today.

World Social Forum co-founder Chico Whitaker shared his experience and vision of building networks and developing new methodologies, while former Philippines YCW leader, Daisy Arago, and former Belgian KAJ leader, Luc Cortebeeck, both highlighted the challenges in the world of work.

A concluding session identified extension, training and financial support as several of the key areas in which collaboration between former and current YCW leaders could be developed.

Finally, all participants took part in an opening mass at St Jacob's Church, Aachen,

Former IYCW chaplain, Bishop Reginaldo Andrietta, Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville of Liège, Belgium, and Emeritus Bishop Heinrich Mussinghoff celebrated the opening mass with a number of YCW chaplains.

This was followed by a public demonstration and march that ended at Aachen railway station.

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Pope Francis' special blessing for the IYCW World Council

Pope Francis has asked former IYCW chaplain, Dom Reginaldo Andrietta, who is now the bishop of Jales in Brazil, to communicate a special blessing to the IYCW World Council which will begin in Aachen, Germany this weekend.

"I told (Pope Francis) about my responsibility as a diocesan bishop as the reference bishop for pastoral work for the CNBB (Catholic Bishops Conference of Brazil), which includes support for the Young Christian Worker (YCW/JOC) movement, as well as the World Council of the IYCW, which will take place in Germany from 26 September until the 8 October 2016," Dom Reginaldo wrote in a Facebook post.

"The pope also communicated to me a special blessing for the IYCW Council where I will be present, and has also sent a letter via the Vatican Secretariat of State expressing its pleasure at this world meeting as well as its encouragement to all participants and their mission in the YCW."

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ILO must analyse transformation of work: IYCW

L to R: Ludovicus Mardiyono, Edson Rolandes Flores Morales, Nadiya Oksyutovych, Andy Predicala, James Denteh

The ILO must analyse the transformation of work from agricultural to industrial, to services and now to robotics technology, according to a submission presented to the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva from 1 - June 13, 2015.

This year's ILC discussed three main topics, namely the transition from the informal to the formal economy, SMEs and decent and sustainable employment and the third is the labour protection policy, which includes wages, maternity policy, working hours and occupational health and safety.

The IYCW delegation actively expressed their political views in all committees. In the informal economic committee and social protection, IYCW highlights some important issues, among others, urged adopted the concept of a living wage for all sectors of work and social protection should be inclusive apply to all types of workers and universally applicable.

Responding to ILO Director-General report on The Future of Work Centenary Initiative, Andy Predicala, International Treasurer of IYCW expressed that the centenary conversation must evaluate deeply the globalization, neo-liberalisation and free-market policy because it does not generate enough jobs but instead it creates multi-crises in the society, and does not warrant fair distribution of wealth. It must also analyse the transformation of work from agricultural to industrial, to services and now to the robotics technology.

The IYCW also urged that social protection coverage must be extended to all workers in the informal sector and all informal workers should be entitled to enjoy all basic rights of workers.

ILO Declaration on Universal Labour Protection

IYCW President, Ludovicus Mardiyono, added that labour protection is a global issue and requires a shared responsibility.

"We propose to the ILO to take the political steps to agree upon and immediately sign the ILO Declaration on Universal Labour Protection, and this declaration should be inclusive and universal," said Ludovicus from Indonesia.

"IYCW along with other Catholic organizations and trade unions continue to voice social justice and peace for all workers in the world," he concluded.

SOURCE

YCW at the International Labour Conference: Proposing ILO Declaration on Universal Labour Protection  (International YCW, Media Release)

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Farewell to 'fearless fighter' Irene Fernandez

Former Malaysian YCW fulltime worker and IYCW International Team member, Irene Fernandez, a well-known labour and human rights activist has died following a heart attack.

Her sister Josie told Malaysiakini that Irene died at 10.58am on 31 March 2014 at the Coronary Care Unit at Serdang Hospital south of Kuala Lumpur.

"Her organs were all fine but her heart stopped. The doctors tried their best to resuscitate her.

"Irene was very brave and courageous and as I speak to you now, I can see that her face is so serene, so calm," she told Malaysiakini.

"We are celebrating Irene's beautiful and powerful life... People of all faiths and from all communities are welcome for the prayers and for the funeral service."

The funeral will take place at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Shah Alam, Selangor, on 3 April at 3.00pm.

Irene was the daughter of the Indian migrants. She witnessed the poor condition of Malaysian workers employed in the rubber plantation sector. Her parents were part of the workforce.

After initially working as a school teacher, Irene became a fulltime worker for the Malaysian YCW from 1970. She later became a member of the IYCW Asian Extension Team and a member of the IYCW International Team elected in 1975.

In 1991, she founded the women workers' organisation Tenaganita. After exposing the treatment of detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, she was charged with "maliciously publishing false news" and found guilty after a seven year trial. The conviction was finally set aside on appeal in 2008.

Former Malaysian YCW leader now Federal parliamentarian, Charles Santiago, described her as "a fearless fighter, who stood for people who had no one to stand for them."

"I have worked closely with her on human rights issues, and taken part in international conferences to champion the rights of the ordinary person.

"Malaysia and the international community has lost a great person who advocated for justice and human rights.

"Condolences to members of her family, Joe, Aegile, Josie, her children and those who have been privileged to meet her," Santiago said in a statement.

"You always testified that ‘it was the YCW which formed you and it was Cardijn who motivated you to commit yourself to the service of the suffering masses’," CCI Secretary General MJ Ruben said in a tribute. "Thank you Irene for being a role model to us! "

"When we bid farewell to you Irene, we assured you that we shall continue to promote the vision, spirituality and methodology of Cardijn – who formed you and many of us.

"Thank you Irene for all your dreams and accomplishments! Rest in peace," Ruben wrote.

"We mourn the passing of one of the greatest leaders formed by the Cardijn movement," CCI convenor Stefan Gigacz added. "We grieve with and express our condolences to all her family and loved ones."

This article will be updated as information comes to hand.

Read the full CCI Tribute to Irene:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vIWfrD6hF-i9BdCy4BvI5_FvBiE0MNCImwFF6LZKxZA/edit 

CCI Pioneers page:

http://pioneers.josephcardijn.com/irene-fernandez

Tribute by CCI International Team adviser Charles Santiago

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/my-tribute-to-irene-fernandez-charles-santiago

FUNERAL

http://www.fz.com/video/grand-sendoff-migrants-heroine-irene-fernandez 

http://www.fz.com/content/farewell-fighter-irene-fernandezs-funeral

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/well-wishers-says-last-goodbye-to-irene-fernandez

http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/04/02/irene-fernandez-the-voice-of-the-voiceless/

NEWS SOURCES

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/04/Hundreds-pay-last-respects-to-passionate-activist-Fernandez/

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/02/Fernandez-proud-to-be-daughter-of-migrant-worker/

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/31/Malaysians-pay-tribute-to-Irene-Fernandez/

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/495157-irene-fernandez-was-a-fearless-fighter.html

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1002028

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258659

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/tenaganitas-irene-fernandez-dies-of-heart-failure

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-01/tributes-flow-after-malaysian-rights-activist-irene-fernandez-dies-aged-67/1288562

https://www.facebook.com/charlessantiago?fref=ts

CCI News

http://www.cardijn.info/2012/08/slavery-days-coming-back-warns-irene.html

http://archives.cardijn.info/cci-news/convictionandsentenceagainstirenefernandezsetaside

TRIBUTES

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/abdar-rahman-koya/article/irene-fernandezs-legacy-to-malaysian-muslims

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/259038

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2014/04/03/tribute-to-malaysian-activist-irene-fernandez/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/world/asia/irene-fernandez-champion-of-oppressed-dies-at-67.html?_r=0

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=254202:ignored-persecuted-by-the-bn-govt-but-irene-fernandez-died-not-in-vain-msia-loses-one-of-its-greatest-daughters&Itemid=2#axzz2xckeLrNj

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2014/04/01/a-life-dedicated-to-peoples-struggle/

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1026929

http://www.dw.de/the-voice-of-malaysian-migrants-is-no-more/g-17532712

http://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/2014-civil-society-voices/irene-fernandez-life-full-meaning-dedicated-peoples-struggle/

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258722

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/irene-fernandez-activist-friend-and-a-great-daughter-of-malaysia-bersih-2.0

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/495157-irene-fernandez-was-a-fearless-fighter.html 

http://www.hrw.org/node/12431 

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/irene-fernandez-s-passion-and-dedication-for-human-rights-will-be-missed-us-ambassador-1.544171

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Indonesian elected new IYCW president

Indonesian YCW leader, Ludovicus Mardiyono has been elected as the incoming president of the International YCW.

Working with him will be Itzhak from YCW Namibia as secretary-general while Arlindo Oliveira from Brazil will continue as treasurer.

Among other candidates, Ikin Rahmat also from Indonesia will join the IYCW Asia Pacific team in Hong Kong.

The election took place at the 12th IYCW International Council in Accra, Ghana.

CCI Convenor Stefan Gigacz welcomed the appointments.

"Congratulations to Mardi and his new colleagues. They have accepted challenging and demanding roles," Stefan Gigacz said.

"CCI looks forward to working with the team for the benefit of workers and to promote Cardijn."


More to come.

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IYCW 'actors of change' meet in Ghana

The 13th IYCW World Council opened in Accra, Ghana yesterday addressing the theme 'Young Workers as Actors of Change'.

"Young workers must take up the cause of young workers and continue the struggle to improve their working conditions, fight for dignity and be actors for change," IYCW president Geethani Peries told Ghana News Agency.

Mr Lucas Anao Apiining, National President of the YCWM, Ghana, said, the summit attracted about 75 workers and supporters from all over the world, to evaluate, analyse, plan, coordinate, strengthen and realize the IYCW international social protection campaign, Vibe Ghana adds.

He said the objective of the movement was to organize young workers across the World to fight for change in their living conditions as future leaders, adding that, “it’s time to build a new world fighting together, and acting together as we need to fight for the freedom of all.”

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra chaired the opening ceremony at the Council.

He said young people below 35years of age in Africa constitute about 65 per cent and that they were the majority and deserved to be treated as future leaders.

He advised them to be serious with any activity that they might find themselves in and appealed to them to be dedicated and committed to their religious duties.



SOURCE

13th YCW International conference opens in Accra (Vibe Ghana)

13th YCW International conference opens in Ghana (Ghana News Agency)

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IYCW 12th World Council, Accra, Ghana

PHOTO

Jose Calatayud

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Unemployment on the increase, IYCW notes

A recent report by the ILO points out that between 2007 and 2011, youth unemployment increased by 4 million at the global level, a huge increase on the previous ten-year period, says the IYCW in a statement issued to mark its International Week of Young Workers.

"The situation is even more critical in countries such as Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy and Ireland," the IYCW says.

"As the ILO report points out, young people are the most disadvantaged, the most vulnerable and the worst off in all areas surveyed.

IYCW president Ms Geethani Peries also notes that 2012 marks the centenary of the founding of the movement.

“Our vision and action are based on the beliefs and values of our founder, Joseph Cardijn”, said Geethani Peries, the International President of the YCW.  “He emphasised over and over again that “young people are worth more than all the gold in the world.” We try to live that belief in our own lives and in our solidarity with young workers across the globe. As the YCW is preparing for the International Council to be held in Ghana this year, it is opportune for us at this critical moment to return to our founding spirit and examine our original charter and vision. The International Council will provide a forum for young people from forty countries around the world to raise their voices for the rights of all young workers.”

“In 1912, when Cardjin started the first group of young people, there were clear contradictions between the reality of their lives and their aspirations. One hundred years later, young workers around the world also experience stark contradictions between their working conditions and their dreams of a fulfilling life. The YCW is as much needed today as it was in Cardijn’s time.”

SOURCE

International Week of Young Workers 2012 (IYCW)

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IYCW marks centenary of first group

Needleworkers Union at Laeken 1912

This Easter marks the centenary of Cardijn's arrival in the parish of Our Lady of Laeken, near Brussels in Belgium. Cardijn always dated the founding of the first YCW group to 1912 making this year also the centenary of the beginnings of the YCW.

The International YCW and the Cardijn Community International are both marking this important anniversary.

IYCW International president Geethani Peries has announced a special commemoration at Cardijn's tomb that will take place at Our Lady's Church, Laeken on Sunday 26 April from 3.00 -5.00 pm.

Read the IYCW Laeken celebration invitation here.

CCI has also issued a statement to mark the centenary calling on those formed in the Cardijn tradition to renew their commitment to Cardijn's spirituality and methodology.

"The Cardijn Community International (CCI) therefore wishes to take this opportunity to express its solidarity with the YCW and all others who base their work on Cardijn's principles," the CCI statement says.

"We call for a fresh commitment to Cardijn's cause so that a new generation of young people may be able to discover their mission to transform the world together with all those working to build 'another world'.

"On this historic occasion, we also renew our commitment to promoting Cardijn’s spirituality, vision and See-Judge-Act methodology."

Read the full CCI statement here: Cardijn launched first YCW group in 1912: A Centenary Tribute

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RIP former IYCW chaplain Fr R.V. Mathias

Former International YCW chaplain Fr RV Mathias died at 2.30a.m. in Trichy, India, following a massive heart attack.

"We are shocked and saddened to hear of Fr Mathias' passing," CCI President Stefan Gigacz said in a statement.

"During his term as IYCW international chaplain, he worked tirelessly to maintain the unityof the movement. For this, we will be forever grateful."

Fr Mathias was born in Edangani, Tamil Nadu on November 11, 1938.

He entered the seminary in 1953 andstudied at St Paul's Seminary, India, from 1958-60. From 1960-64 he was a guest at the Pontifical Urban College in Rome followed by catechetical and liturgical studies at the Catholic Institute of Paris from 1964-66.

He was ordained as a priest in Rome on 21 December 1963.

Among the many positions he held, Fr Mathias was parish priest, diocesan, national and international chaplain of the YCW as well as chaplain of the diocesan youth and workers  for the diocese of Trichy.

He was also Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Center, Executive Secretary of the CBCI Commission for Labor (Delhi), Vicar general of the diocese of Trichy.

In 2002 he was appointed as Executive Secretary of the CBCI Commission for the laity.

He taught at Karumathur Jesuit Theological College near Madurai, India until recently.

After taking sabbatical leave, he was named  >spiritual father at St Paul's Seminary, Tiruchirapalli in April 2011.

Fr Mathias also collaborated actively with the Centre Lebret-IRFED network.

The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Seminary, Trichy.

Read more at the CCI India website: Fr RV Mathias is no more

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Countdown to conference

Less than a week to go to our 10th anniversary conference to be held from 23-25 July in Bangkok, Thailand.

We are pleased to say that we have 48 participants enrolled and we expect it to be a very significant event for the development of the CCI network.

Keynote speaker will be Father Antoine Sondag, former international chaplain of the IYCS and of Pax Romana-ICMICA.

We are also happy to say that IYCW international president Ms Geethani Peries will also join us.

More details will follow over the next few days.

Stefan Gigacz, CCI Secretary

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CCI welcomes Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention

In March 2008, the ILO Governing Body decided to place an item on the agenda of the 99th Session (2010) of the Conference with a view to setting standards on decent work for domestic workers. At that Session, the Conference decided, by a resolution adopted on 16 June 2010, to place on the agenda of its 100th Session an item entitled Decent work for domestic workers, for second discussion, with a view to the adoption of a comprehensive standard (a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation)

On the 7th June, 2011, the dream of millions of domestic workers and the entire working class became a reality with the adoption of the text of the historic convention on domestic workers. This landmark convention recognises domestic work as genuine ‘work’ and places domestic workers on par with other categories of workers.

However, the final text of the convention and recommendation will come up for voting at the International Labour Conference next week. Cardijn Community International (CCI) hopes that the convention will be approved.

CCI salutes the efforts of the domestic workers’ movements, associations, NGOs and other civil society organisations including the International YCW (IYCW) and National Domestic Workers Movement in India for their tireless decades long struggle to get this declaration adopted.

CCI is of the view that mere adoption of a convention will not change the life of the domestic workers around the world. Much has to be done in sensitizing the people and to bring about a change in the ‘mind-set’ of those who employ domestic workers. The active cooperation of the member states is very essential in the implementation and monitoring of the spirit and motive of the convention.

CCI for its part will continue to be in solidarity with the cause of the domestic workers and shall include in its activities a campaign to implement the convention in letter and spirit.

International Coordination

Cardijn Community International (CCI)

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