Over 40 young workers from Public Service International (PSI) affiliated unions across the Africa and Arab Countries region came together in December to launch the Young Workers Education and Mentorship Program (YWEMP).
Sponsored by Fórsa, this initiative is a vital part of our ongoing commitment to international solidarity, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among young trade unionists.
The initiative aims to build power within unions by equipping young workers with the skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities necessary to strengthen union structures and advance workers' interests.
Twelve annual sessions are being designed to focus on skills development, political economy, and global issues, all of which are critical for young workers seeking to drive change in their workplaces. A special emphasis will be placed on the leaders of young workers' committees within affiliated unions. The sessions will be facilitated by a range of activists, experienced union leaders, and experts, blending the battle-tested wisdom of veteran organizers with the dynamic energy of young workers.
Founded in 1907, Public Service International is a global union federation that foregrounds the struggle for workers’ rights and access to quality public services for all. The launch event was attended by a diverse group of union leaders and officials from across the region, including General Secretaries, deputy general secretaries, and chairpersons.
Notable participants included Hon. Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister of Ghana. The event was also attended by regional leaders from the Cape Coast region, led by Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area. The conference was made possible through the sponsorship of Fórsa and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG).
Fórsa official Michael Kerrigan made the journey to attend in person and represent Fórsa.
Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I’ll carry this trip with me for a long time. We constantly speak about the importance of international solidarity in the Trade Union movement, however, well-meaning words must be followed up with appropriate action. There are many similarities between the issues faced by young workers in African and Arab countries and those in Ireland and the rest of Europe."
"When you’re at an event like this, surrounded by people sharing their stories and their struggles, it all starts to click. You realise it’s not just about fighting for better conditions in our workplaces—it’s about harnessing that power to change society itself, to build a world that’s fairer for all of us.”
PSI Vice President, Peters Adeyemi, highlighted the transformative potential of the project. Speaking at the launch event, he described how: “Ultimately, this will be the next generation of trade union leaders in Africa and the Arab countries. This has been a long-awaited dream."
Adeyemi also committed that his union, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), will sponsor the first year of the YWEMP and host the upcoming Young Workers Conference in 2025.
Reflecting on her hopes for the network in a video made after, Dahlia Yasser Fetiha, a representative of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Solidarity Staff Union in Egypt, said:
"I hope the YWEMP empowers young workers by enhancing their skills and union capabilities, while also helping them understand technological developments and use the right tools to support their work in unions."
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