Young trade unionists from across Asia and the Pacific strengthened their organising strategies, leadership skills, and regional solidarity at the 19th ITUC-Asia Pacific Youth Leadership Course, held in Singapore from 28 September to 2 October 2026, with a focus on transforming youth activism into sustained collective power and greater influence within trade unions.
The five-day course brought together 38 young trade unionists from 22 countries under the theme “Building Workers’ Power: Youth Organising for Democracy and Solidarity in Asia-Pacific.” It was jointly organised by ITUC-Asia Pacific, the Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF), and the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi).
Welcoming the participants, ITUC-Asia Pacific General Secretary Shoya Yoshida drew on recent youth-led movements in South Asia and emphasised that protest movements must be accompanied by sustained organising to achieve lasting improvements for workers.
“Protest can open the door, but organisation decides what lies beyond it,” he said, stressing that political change alone cannot guarantee decent work, social justice, or stronger democratic institutions. He underscored the importance of collective bargaining, social dialogue, and strong trade unions in translating demands for change into concrete gains for working people.
The course was grounded on the challenges facing young workers amid growing economic uncertainty, insecure employment, technological transformation, and mounting pressures on democratic freedoms. Participants explored how trade unions can adapt and innovate their organising strategies to reach younger workers, particularly those in precarious, informal, and platform employment.
Through interactive discussions, practical organising exercises, and exchanges with experienced trade union leaders and educators, participants developed skills in identifying emerging leaders, engaging workers through organising conversations, and planning campaigns that respond to workplace challenges.
A major focus was strengthening the meaningful participation of young workers and women in trade union leadership and decision-making. Participants were encouraged to look at their organisations critically and examine organisational practices and established hierarchies that can limit younger members’ influence. The course highlighted the need to move beyond formal representation towards greater involvement in shaping union priorities, leading campaigns, and participating in collective bargaining.
Discussions also explored the implications of artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and emerging forms of employment for trade union organising. Participants considered how digital tools and innovative outreach could complement workplace relationships, trust-building, and collective action.
The programme further examined the links between workers’ rights, democracy, and international solidarity, as well as the importance of ensuring meaningful worker participation in responses to climate change, ensuring a Just Transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
A study visit to Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) gave participants insights into the country’s approaches to social dialogue, industrial relations, and trade union engagement with young workers, women, and families.
Peer exchanges enabled participants from diverse political, economic, and industrial relations contexts identify common challenges in organising, including reaching workers outside traditional union structures and creating opportunities for young members to exercise greater influence within their organisations.
As the course concluded, participants reflected on how to apply the knowledge, practical skills, and networks built in Singapore to strengthen organising initiatives, youth participation, and cooperation among trade unions across the region.
The 19th Youth Leadership Course reinforced ITUC-Asia Pacific’s commitment to developing a new generation of trade union leaders who will not only inherit the trade union movement, but will also shape its direction, extend its reach, and build the collective power needed to defend workers' rights and democracy in a rapidly changing world.
%20(1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
%20(1).png)
.jpg)
.png)
%201.svg)
