BWI Global Youth Festival opens with calls for solidarity and action

Amid a vibrant atmosphere of camaraderie and solidarity, BWI's second Global Youth Festival commenced with fervent speeches and calls to action in Turkey. Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), inaugurated the event with warm greetings and expressions of gratitude to all attendees, highlighting the essential role of young workers in shaping the future of the global trade union movement.

The youth festival was attended by delegates from over 40 countries and 49 unions across 4 continents gathered. They participated in discussions, workshops, and campaigns in a week of solidarity, activism, and collective empowerment. With 113 participants, including 40 women, the festival exemplified the diverse and inclusive nature of the global trade union movement.

Addressing an enthusiastic audience, BWI’s General Secretary underscored the significance of the festival as a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration. He emphasised the crucial role of young trade unionists in advancing workers' rights, democracy, and peace worldwide. Drawing from his own experiences as a former young union organiser in the Philippines, Yuson urged the new generation of BWI youth leaders to take the frontline in advocating for the rights of workers, women, migrants, and marginalised communities.

Along with Yuson, Ramazan Ağar, President of YOLIS, and Luis Vargas, Acting Chair of BWI’s International Youth Committee (IYC), also opened the festival with a unified message emphasising the crucial role of young members within BWI to spearhead efforts towards a brighter future for all.

The festival highlighted the urgent need to address pressing global issues such as inequality, authoritarianism, climate change, and technological advancement. Despite the daunting challenges ahead, young trade union leaders expressed optimism in the determination and resilience of their generation, affirming their potential to create a more just and equitable world.