Young trade unionists from across South Asia gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 20-22 April 2026 for the South Asia Youth Leadership Academy, an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the ITUC-Asia Pacific aimed at strengthening youth leadership, organising, and solidarity in the region.
The Academy brought together 19 young trade unionists from Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, representing a wide range of sectors, including plantations, domestic work, construction, education, tourism, shipbreaking, garment manufacturing, transport, and the informal economy. With 12 women and 7 men participating, the Academy also highlighted the importance of strong representation of young women workers in building an inclusive and democratic trade union movement.
More than a training programme, the Academy served as a platform for young workers to deepen their understanding of democracy as a workers’ issue. Discussions reinforced that the fight for democracy is rooted in workers’ rights, solidarity, and the collective power of unions to defend freedoms, demand decent work, and advance a New Social Contract.
“Youth are at the heart of building strong and democratic trade unions. Initiatives like the South Asia Youth Leadership Academy are critical to strengthening organising, advancing workers’ rights, and shaping a new generation of trade union leaders committed to a just and democratic future,” said Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific.
Participants engaged in sessions on leadership development, organising strategies, and campaign planning, with a focus on how young workers can rebuild union power and expand membership. They examined common challenges facing young workers across South Asia, including rising informality, job insecurity, low wages, and weak social protection.
A key feature of the Academy was its grounding in real worker experiences. Participants went beyond the training room and interacted directly with tuktuk drivers, street vendors, small business owners, and transport workers in Colombo. These exchanges connected regional discussions on democracy, decent work, and social justice with the lived realities of workers in the informal economy.
The Academy also provided space for young unionists to share organising experiences from their countries, build networks across borders, and identify opportunities for collective action. Through these exchanges, participants strengthened their commitment to advancing youth participation in unions and ensuring that young workers are not only represented, but are leading campaigns and implementing organising strategies in their countries. By the end of the programme, participants developed follow-up plans to bring the lessons of the Academy back to their unions and communities.
The South Asia Youth Leadership Academy underscored that empowering young workers to lead is essential to expanding solidarity, strengthening unions, and building a more democratic and just society. As young trade unionists take the fight for democracy to the ground, their leadership will be critical in shaping the future of the labour movement in South Asia.
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