The centenary

100 years of struggle for young workers!

In 2025, the YCW will celebrate its 100 years of existence. Although Cardijn created the first base group in 1912, 1925 was the year of the official registration of the men and women’s Francophone and Flemish Belgian YCW movement. It was also the year of recognition by both the local Church and the universal Church in the person of Pope Pius XI, who listened and responded to Cardijn’s hope to “save young workers.”

Joe Magri - YCW Centenary Message

Joe Magri, from Sydney and International Treasurer in the late 1990s. Elected at the International Council of South Africa that was opened by Nelson Mandela who acknowledged the Movement for its action to end apartheid

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Helen Jagoe - YCW Centenary Message

Helen Jagoe, from Bathurst and International Secretary in the late 1960s. Helen worked with Cardijn when he died in 1967

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Stefan Gigacz - YCW Centenary Message

Stefan Gigacz, from Melbourne and International Treasurer in the late 1980s. Stefan helped re-establish the finances of the international YCW after the issues of the 1970s

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Margaret McCafferty - YCW Centenary Message

Margaret McCafferty, from Sydney and worked in the Asia-Pacific Continental Team (ASPAC) in the 1990s. Margaret helped rebuild the YCW in Thailand and other countries and worked closely with Fr Hugh O'Sullivan

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Anna Cirocco - YCW Centenary Message

Anna Cirocco, from Adelaide and worked in the ASPAC team and then later as International Secretary in Brussels in the early 2000s

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Australian Young Christian Workers have joined international YCW members, past and present, in Belgium to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the movement.

YCW members, past and present including representatives from the Australian YCW, met in Belgium from 1-12 May to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the YCW. Celebrations began with an international Mass at Notre-Dame de Laeken in Brussles followed by a youth festival and leader exchanges across Europe.