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The 13th UNI-LCJ Youth English Camp was held in Nagasaki on 27 - 30 September 2013.

21 young union activists from Commerce, Finance, ICTS and Postal sectors in Japan exchanged labor issues and trade union experiences with three resource persons from South Africa, Nepal and Myanmar.  This annual youth event has become one of the most popular initiatives by the UNI Liaison Council Japan.

The English Camp aims to provide invaluable opportunities for overseas young activists and potential leaders to be exposed to the Japanese trade unionism featured by partnership, team spirit and hard working culture as well as to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and learn about peace and anti-nuclear weapons campaigns lead by Japanese trade unions.

Participants realized that English can be spoken in various accents and with different ways of expressions even while maintaining as the common communication tool.

Through several group works, English beginners, fluent speakers and those with less and more union experiences have worked together by helping each other to plan, finalize and practice the final presentation which had to be engaged by all members.

In addition, participants were spilt into committees and assigned tasks to practice various leadership skills. The Program Committee helped with the smooth running of the entire course and moderated the final presentations; the Report Committee improved their writing and presentation skills through updates on the Youth blog and posts on Facebook; the Social Fun Committee lead creative energizers between sessions and helped everyone getting to know in a relaxed atmosphere.

Stephanie Duffy, member of SACCAWU, spoke of young women’s situation, challenges and trade unions’ responses in South Africa.  Pooja Shrestha, Women Committee Member of Nepali Television union, shared about the differences between traditional and modern women in Nepal. Sai Naw Kham Seng, Director of Rural Development Foundation of Shan State, described his Myanmar's diverse ethnic groups and the negative impacts of military regime and ethnic conflicts.  Messages from all resource persons shared common points on the empowerment of women and education for children which will change and improve lives. “Unite” makes the nation stronger.

As young Japanese trade unionists, participants are determined to know what took place in Nagasaki and in Hiroshima in the past, what are happening in other countries, and to pass on these experiences to other members to share and raise awareness to take the next steps.  In order to do so, networking is very important.

Resource persons Stephanie, Pooja and Naw Kham are also committed to be peace messengers to promote the Peace campaign in their own countries.

For photos visit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uniglobalunion/sets/72157635975345843/