July 4, 2025 — With the fire of the Centenary celebration in Belgium still burning in their hearts, leaders from YCW national movements in Asia-Pacific came together in a powerful online gathering to assess, reflect, and chart the road ahead. Representatives from YCW Indonesia, YCW Philippines, and YCW Japan, alongside committed collaborators who also joined the Centenary, reaffirmed their collective mission: to be a voice and force for young workers in the face of growing exploitation under neoliberal systems.

The meeting was more than just a report-back; it was a space of militant hope and critical reflection. Collaborators enriched the exchange with sharp insights from the Centenary, especially on the need to concretize our campaigns in defense of informal workers and to push forward with our preparations for the International Council in the Philippines in 2026. Together, participants revisited the deeper meaning of the Centenary—recalling that it was not just a celebration of history, but a call to renew our commitment to the struggles of young workers everywhere.

From Japan, reflections on the Sapporo Base Group visit highlighted the value of grassroots dialogue and community-building. YCW Indonesia lifted up their work on paralegal training and social solidarity economy as essential tools to resist precarious work and empower the marginalized. Across all testimonies, the message was clear: local actions are the seeds that nourish the regional and global struggle.

Challenges, especially in leadership development, were discussed openly. YCW Philippines bravely named the realities of limited staff and the urgency of cultivating a new generation of leaders rooted in faith, action, and critical consciousness. Yet instead of discouragement, this sparked renewed determination. YCW Indonesia's growing initiatives on legal education and youth empowerment reminded all that even in difficult contexts, the movement can grow stronger when rooted in the lives of the people.

The assembly concluded with a firm commitment: regular monthly coordination meetings will now be held to sustain momentum and deepen solidarity. The next one is scheduled for August 29. More than scheduling, this is a sign of living internationalism—a reminder that our strength lies not only in our struggles but in our unity.

The Centenary was not the end. It was a beginning. As YCW movements in Asia-Pacific continue their mission, they do so with sharpened clarity and unwavering conviction. The road ahead may be tough, but guided by the values of See-Judge-Act and armed with collective hope, the struggle of young workers will push forward. From Belgium to the streets and communities of Asia-Pacific, the call echoes: "We are young workers, and we are ready to act!"