Two young leaders from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Youth Arm joined trade unionists from across the Americas in Brazil last week for the UNI Americas Youth Organizing Forum, a two-day meeting aimed at strengthening youth involvement in the labour movement.

Youth Arm President Blair Rose and Vice President Charles Browne represented Antigua and Barbuda at the September 24–25 event, which combined training sessions, committee meetings, and regional discussions on the future of trade unionism.

Rose, who also serves as Vice President of the UNI Americas Youth Committee, described the gathering as an important opportunity to exchange strategies on organizing workers and tackling modern challenges.

“The purpose of the trip was to teach young people different ways of getting workers to join the union,” Rose explained. “We also held a committee meeting to hear reports from colleague unions throughout the Americas on the impact of politics, economics, and new developing technologies, including artificial intelligence and what our unions are doing to protect their members.”

The forum also addressed global issues such as climate change and the concept of a “just transition” for workers in shifting economies. Rose said the ABWU Youth Arm will use the skills learned to boost membership and strengthen its advocacy efforts at home.

“Through this forum, we have acquired new skills that will be shared and utilized by Youth Arm members in our drive to increase membership. We also learned techniques to resolve some of the current issues we face and could possibly face in the future. Equally important, the event renewed our commitment to sharing resources and supporting each other across the region,” she said.

Rose further noted that the experience underscored the value of Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic space, where workers are free to exercise their union rights without fear of persecution.

“Our union activists and members do not have to be in fear for their lives as is the case in other territories. It’s a right that we should appreciate and treasure,” she reflected

The forum closed with a pledge from young leaders across the Americas to continue networking and building stronger, more resilient unions to meet the challenges of a changing world of work.