Run by, for and with young workers

We are an international movement run BY, FOR and WITH young people, striving to SERVE, EDUCATE and REPRESENT young people by empowering them to be the change they want to be in their lives, communities and the world, based on their VALUES, BELIEFS and FAITH.

Members of the YCW are young people from all faith backgrounds aged between 15 – 30 years old who are young workers, apprentices and students, the unemployed and professionals who gather in friendship to discuss and take action on the key issues affecting their lives.

Cardinal Joseph Cardijn founded the YCW in Brussels in 1912 involving young people from all walks of life, empowering them to take positive Action in their lives and community. This movement spread throughout the world and was established in Australia in 1940 before officially becoming an International Movement holding its first World Council in Rome, in 1957.

The YCW is an active movement in countries all around the world, based on democracy and participation of all young workers in the decision making process. The YCW believes that each young person is able to assume responsibility for finding solutions to their situations at a local, national and international level, to create a better world for all young workers using the SEE, JUDGE, ACT method.

The YCW works to create a society, which actively supports, respects and values the God given dignity of each person. 

Using this method, young people in YCW groups are encouraged and supported in Actions they themselves plan to tackle problems they may face in life.

YCW Action

YCW’s Mission

The YCW’s mission is that all young workers should:

Declaration of Principles

  • Discover the deepest meaning of their lives;
  • Live in accordance with their personal and collective dignity;
  • Assume the responsibility for finding solutions to their situations at the local, national, and international levels.

The YCW carries out its mission through the actions of young workers, and by reviewing their actions in small groups in our communities.  The YCW uses the SEE, JUDGE, ACT method to carry out its mission among young workers.

The SEE, JUDGE, ACT method is a simple process to understand our situation and then to take Action in light of our REALITY and FAITH. Using this method, young people are encouraged and supported in actions they themselves plan to tackle the problems they face.

SEE

  • What exactly is happening? (The facts)
  • Why is this happening? (the causes)
  • How are people being affected? (the consequences)

JUDGE

  • What do you think about all this?
  • What do you think should be happening?
  • What does your faith say?

ACT

  • What exactly is it that you want to change?
  • What action are you going to take now?
  • Who can you involve in your action?

The YCW works to create a society, which actively supports, respects and values the God-given dignity of each person.

We will consciously uphold basic human rights, especially the right to meaningful and just work.

We will educate for global awareness and solidarity.

Through taking Action and reviewing in our communities, young people will discover the deepest meaning and mission of their lives.

The YCW is run FOR, BY and WITH young people. Members of the Australian YCW are young people aged between 16 – 30 years old, who are students, professionals, full-time, part-time and casual workers and volunteers, who gather in friendship groups to discuss key issues that are affecting their life.

How the YCW is Governed

The YCW is in an incorporated association with status as a charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DRG) Status with the Australian Charities and Non-Profits Commission (ACNC) and the  Australian Taxation Office

The YCW is governed by a National Team consisting of representatives from each branch and a National Executive consisting of the National President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and Mentor. All positions are elected at Annual General Meetings where Annual Reports are tabled for approval.

The YCW is governed by its own Constitution which includes the hosting of bi-annual National Councils where strategic plans are developed.

For more information about the YCW, its policies and procedures please contact: info@ycw.org.au.

Contact Us

Finances

The income generated by the YCW goes directly into supporting its action and extension through the following ways (2020 budget):

Resources and materials for the running of grass-roots actions are self-funded by local teams through fundraising and donations.

Details of how the YCW spends its funds are available in annual audited financial statements which are available to the public.

The YCW has basic expenses because we believe the resources of the movement should be proportional to the means and capacities of its members and those who it seeks to involve. In this way, YCW will always remain an autonomous, youth-lead and sustainable organisation as proven in its longevity to date.

While YCW accepts funding from many different sources it is always managed by its elected leaders and it can never determine the actions of the movement.

Finally, the YCW believes in the self-sacrifice of its members, financially or otherwise, as a real sign of solidarity with their fellow young workers. This is just one way we put faith into action.