The BWI International Youth Committee (IYC) held its meeting virtually on 13 October 2025, bringing together youth leaders from across the world to advance the global youth agenda ahead of BWI’s World Congress next year.

During the meeting, the Committee adopted key action points to strengthen young workers’ representation in unions and to amplify youth voices in the fight for a just and sustainable future. The Committee also announced its 2026 priority theme: “Democracy” to defend a world that protects human rights.

The meeting gathered five regional youth representatives from Africa Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. They reviewed recent youth activities at both regional and international levels and discussed strategic targets for the upcoming Global Youth Action Plan, which will guide youth work throughout 2026 by focusing on actions to defend democracy and by implementing a youth survey at regional levels to collect data on BWI’s affiliates’ youth structures.

BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson addressed the meeting with a powerful message on the current global political landscape, marked by widespread protests, inequality, and distrust in democratic institutions. He urged the International Youth Committee to mobilise beyond traditional union activities and lead resistance efforts against fascism and oppression worldwide.

In response, IYC Chair Kumar reaffirmed this call, emphasising that the youth agenda for 2026 will center on defending democracy and human rights.

The Committee also welcomed Shayn Sinaswami from CMWEU, Mauritius, as the new Chair of the Africa–Middle East Youth Committee, expressing gratitude to Osei Opoku Afriyie for his valuable leadership and contributions.

Read the Annual Youth Report here, approved by the BWI World Board, to explore highlights and insights from BWI’s youth work across all regions.