In many parts of the world, the average age of union members and leaders has increased over the past 20 years. While a generational gap in union membership density between younger and more experienced workers is not new, fewer young people have joined unions in recent years in many countries. The majority of new media jobs, however, are precarious, based in small media or in sectors without a strong tradition of unionisation.
"Engaging young workers in all our affiliated unions is therefore key to their future and the future of the IFJ," said IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger in his introduction.
The 27 delegates nominated by their unions that comprise the Global Group of Young Media Workers met online for the first time on Thursday 4 July. The young trades unionists come from Asia-Pacific (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Taiwan, Australia, Samoa, India, New Zealand), Latin America and the Caribbean (Peru, Brazil, Haiti), Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Somalia, Cameroon), Europe (Spain, Serbia, Croatia, France, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, Portugal, Italy) and the Middle East (Syria, Palestine).
Participants expressed their pride in joining the global group of young workers, while bringing their own experiences and specialities (gender equality, violence against women and children, journalists in exile, etc.) and being part of the IFJ's core international solidarity.
During the meeting it was proposed to commit to several important objectives so that young trade unionists from IFJ affiliates can share their experiences, good practices and learn from more experienced elected representatives:
● Stimulate the unionisation of young workers;
● Mobilise journalism students about trade unionism and the importance of joining;
● Give young workers a voice within the IFJ;
● Increase the visibility of the struggle of the IFJ and its affiliates to improve the working conditions of young media workers;
● Share the collective experience of the international workers' trade union movement in engaging and representing young workers.
A specific work programme, internal operating rules and thematic meetings will be proposed at future meetings.
Meeting in London on 20 and 21 June, the IFJ Executive Committee enthusiastically welcomed the creation of this new global group, added Anthony Bellanger. "The young media workers in our unions now have two years to reflect and take joint action in order to become fully involved in the IFJ bodies in the coming years."
This new global group will meet regularly until the next IFJ World Congress, to be held in Paris, France, in May 2026.