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UNI Apro Youth concluded its 8th UNI Apro Youth Committee Meeting on 2 June 2012 which ended with a joint UNI Apro/ ICTJ Youth Workshop from 3 – 7 June 2012 in Manila, Philippines. The Youth Committee was honored to welcome Christopher Ng, UNI Apro Regional Secretary, Jose P. Umali, General Secretary, UNI PLC Philippines, Takuya Watanabe, Vice President, ICTJ Japan, Tamami Uda, UNI Apro Women President, and Michelle Bellino, UNI Apro Youth President to the meeting and workshop.





The UNI Apro Youth Committee members reported on the activities from different sectors, countries, groups and themes. Youths gave their activity reports from different sectors, countries, groups and themes. Highlights of the adopted action plans include efforts to engage in the ASEAN Youth movement; to form a working group for the publication of “Portrait of UNI Apro Youth” which will be introduced at the UNI Apro Youth Conference in 2014; to continue support for UNI PLC Youth in existing Payatas project in the Philippines; and to innovate organizing methods.



“Be daring, be different and be innovative” is the clear message sent to each and every participant from Christopher Ng. Takuya Watanabe shared on the organizing efforts of ICTJ in the midst of membership decrease and brought up the issue of organizing non-regular workers, which interest many participants. Mr. Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Country Director of ILO Philippines Office also participated in the workshop to share the ILO Decent work program in the Philippines and employment for young people.



Participants discussed Asia Pacific’s future and agreed that trade unions and young workers can play more proactive roles to promote decent work and to organize more workers into trade unions to strengthen the voice of workers in the changing landscape.



As part of the workshop, participants were engaged in Payatas Feed the Children program. They cooked and distributed food to mal-nutritious children, visited homes at the dumpsite of Barangay Payatas and played games with the children. In solidarity with the Payatas community, UNI Apro youth donated books, stationeries, clothes and raised more than USD1000 in cash to support and sustain existing programs.



A Peace mission trip to Corregidor Island of the Philippines, a historical place in the Pacific War, reminded all participants of the horrors of war and the meaning of peace. This visit touched the heart of many participants as they later shared their commitment towards promoting peace in the region.



“From that little interpreting booth, we were able to feel real energy and the good 'vibes' of heart-to-heart communication. That only happens when everyone there shares a sense of mission, and has true respect for one another,” said Motome Ueda, interpreter for the workshop.