With gratitude and faith, we, the Young Christian Workers (YCW) of the Asia-Pacific region, continue our journey to rebuild and strengthen our movement in Thailand. Guided by the spirit of Joseph Cardijn, we strive to reach out to young workers, discover their realities, and help them act for dignity, justice, and solidarity.

From September 7 to October 5, 2025, the IYCW-ASPAC team carried out its fourth field visit to Thailand. This mission aimed to deepen the organizing work, reinforce the foundation of YCW Thailand, and prepare its leaders to participate meaningfully in the 2026 International Council in the Philippines.

We came with enthusiasm and left with renewed confidence that the movement is slowly but surely taking root again growing from the lives and struggles of young Thai workers who long for change and solidarity.

Laying the Groundwork for YCW Thailand

The visit began with reconnecting with local leaders who have been part of the rebuilding process. Through meetings and reflection sessions, we saw the growth in their commitment and understanding of YCW’s vision.

One of the mission’s main achievements was the formation of a National Coordination Team, a vital structure for strengthening internal organization and linking local work to the regional and international levels. The team adopted the name ACT Young Club (AYC), which now serves as the official identity of YCW Thailand.

To enhance communication and visibility, AYC has created an email address (actyoungclub@gmail.com) and official Facebook and Instagram pages, making it easier to reach young workers, former members, and partners.

The team also prepared an initial action plan for 2026, which includes:

• Strengthening base groups and recruiting new young worker members;
• Conducting regular education on YCW’s basic documents (Declaration of Principles, Task of Education, and Review of Life and Work Analysis);
• Gathering testimonies and realities of young workers in formal, informal, and migrant sectors.
• Building partnerships with dioceses, trade unions, and social organizations; and
• Preparing participation and reports for the 2026 International Council.

This plan gives direction and focuses to their organizing work in the coming year, rooted in the YCW method of See–Judge–Act.

A Testimony of Hope and Global Solidarity

A special moment during our mission was hearing the testimony of Duangsompong “Toey” Wanglap, a young Thai worker who represented YCW Thailand at the YCW Centenary Celebration in Belgium and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva earlier in 2025.

Toey described the Centenary as “a joyful and inspiring experience,” where she met young workers from different continents and learned about YCW’s global history. Visiting the Cardijn Museum helped her understand how deeply the movement’s roots run.

“At the Centenary, I realized we are not alone,” Toey said. “Many young workers around the world face the same struggles—low wages, job insecurity, discrimination—but they continue to organize. That gives me hope to rebuild YCW here in Thailand.”

At the ILO Conference, she observed how governments, employers, and trade unions interact in shaping labor policies. “Many unions there are close to government or employers,” she noted. “We need movements like YCW to raise the true voice of young and informal workers.”

Her story reminded everyone that even small movements can make a global impact when they are rooted in people’s realities and guided by faith.

Reconnecting with Former Members: Continuity and Support

Rebuilding YCW Thailand also means reconnecting with its former leaders who once made the movement strong. We met with Sripai, Rotsarin, Somyot, and Rungrote, who generously shared their experiences from past organizing work.

They welcomed the team with enthusiasm and expressed willingness to support the new generation—offering help in education, coordination, and even spaces for meetings. Their stories of organizing factory workers decades ago reminded us of the YCW’s important role in Thailand’s labor history.

But they also pointed out that organizing factory workers today has become more difficult due to age, fear, and job insecurity. However, they encouraged focusing on informal, service, and migrant workers, where new opportunities for organizing exist.

“If we start with young informal and migrant workers,” one former leader said, “we can rebuild YCW with new energy and relevance.”

Their insight helped the coordination team reflect on how to adapt to current realities while keeping the spirit of genuine workers’ education alive.

Seeing the Realities of Young Workers

We visited several groups of workers—cleaning service workers, massage therapists, and migrant workers—to better understand their daily struggles. Many expressed the same concerns: low and unstable wages, long working hours, lack of social protection, and fear of retaliation for speaking out.

Some workers from Myanmar and Cambodia shared experiences of discrimination and unfair treatment. Despite these challenges, they expressed a strong sense of solidarity and hope for improvement.

For YCW Thailand, these encounters were eye-opening. Listening to workers’ testimonies is the first step to understanding their reality and building collective action. The coordination team now plans to return to these groups for See–Judge–Act sessions and possible base group formation.

Partnerships for Broader Change

Partnership and collaboration have been key to strengthening the movement. During this visit, we met with the Thailand Foundation for LGBTQ+, where discussions centered on gender equality, workers’ rights, and combating sexual harassment. Both groups saw opportunities to collaborate on education programs promoting inclusivity and dignity in the workplace.

We also joined the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) in Bangkok, which brought together garment workers, unions, and NGOs from across Asia. Participants included union leaders from Indonesia (KASBI, SBSI GARTEK, SPN), and representatives from Malaysia’s Tenaganita, WRC South Asia, HomeNet South Asia, and Norwegian People’s Aid.

The event strengthened our regional solidarity and reaffirmed YCW’s commitment to workers’ rights. One meaningful encounter was with Thiruvarual from India, a former IYCW Secretariat member now with CCC in Belgium. He expressed his optimism about collaboration between YCW and CCC, particularly in supporting garment workers’ campaigns.

Such partnerships are vital for ensuring that young workers in Thailand are connected to the broader movement for decent work and social justice in Asia and beyond.

Formation and Education: The Heart of the Movement

Education remains the soul of the YCW. During this visit, we held several formation sessions introducing YCW’s vision, mission, and methodology. Participants studied the key documents—the Declaration of Principles (DOP), Task of Education (TOE), and Review of Life and Work Analysis (ROLWA)—and reflected on how these can guide their organizing work.

Though time was limited, the sessions sparked enthusiasm. Members expressed the desire to continue learning and sharing experiences regularly. To support this, the ASPAC team and YCW Thailand agreed to hold monthly online follow-ups for continued accompaniment.

Former YCW members also committed to helping with formation and mentoring, bridging the movement’s past and present. Their involvement strengthens the foundation for a new generation of leaders who will carry the mission forward.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Rebuilding YCW Thailand remains a long and demanding journey. Among the main challenges are:

• The difficulty of organizing young workers in formal sectors with limited rights;
• The need for financial stability to support activities; and
• The importance of continuous leadership development.

Yet, in every challenge, there are signs of hope. The commitment of young leaders, the guidance of former members, and the solidarity of partners across Asia and the world keep the spirit alive.

Every meeting, discussion, and reflection contributes to rebuilding a sense of collective power. We are reminded of Cardinal Cardijn’s words: “Each young worker is worth more than all the gold in the world.” That truth continues to inspire our mission.

Towards 2026: A Movement Reborn

As YCW Thailand prepares for the International Council in 2026, hope fills the hearts of the members. Their participation will mark a milestone in reconnecting Thailand with the global YCW community.

We dream of seeing young Thai workers once again sharing their stories and struggles with fellow YCW members worldwide. Their voices—shaped by courage, faith, and resilience—will contribute to the collective vision of a just and humane world of work.

Rebuilding YCW Thailand is more than restoring an organization; it is reviving a vision where young workers recognize their dignity, organize for their rights, and live their faith through action. The foundation has been laid. The spirit is alive. With support from the regional team, mentors, and partners, YCW Thailand is finding its voice again.

Faith in Action: The Journey Continues

The story of YCW Thailand is one of resilience and renewal. It shows that even when movements face decline, the seeds of hope remain. Through commitment, solidarity, and faith, these seeds can grow again.

As we conclude this mission, we carry the stories and smiles of the young Thai workers we met—their courage, their struggles, and their hope for a better future. They are the reason we continue.

In the words of our founder, Cardinal Joseph Cardijn, we are called to “See, Judge, and Act.” This is the path we continue to follow in Thailand, across Asia, and around the world.

With faith and determination, we move forward—rebuilding the movement, renewing our mission, and strengthening solidarity among young workers everywhere.

The movement is alive. The spirit is strong. Together, we are rebuilding the YCW in Thailand.