Today, on YOUCA Action Day, around 35 students came to work for Leuven City. They gained practical experience and simultaneously supported youth projects worldwide. The students traded their school benches for about fifteen different workplaces within the city. Some assisted in the library and the city archives, others lent a hand in the public green spaces department or at the city's sports centers. Students also dedicated a full day at the city office, including in civil affairs, the education department, and the offices of several aldermen.
Adriaan Vansteenwegen and Jef Rosseel, students from the Heilig Drievuldigheidscollege, spent a day assisting at the office of Lies Corneillie, alderman for global policy. “We learned how global themes are addressed in Leuven,” says Adriaan. They visited Rikolto to learn more about sustainable food and fair production. At Onan Coffee & Tea, they discovered how fair coffee is grown and brewed. “It was also very educational to work in the alderman’s office,” Jef adds. “Thanks to YOUCA, we got a unique behind-the-scenes look, and we are also supporting youth projects in other countries. That makes this experience extra special.”
Alderman Lies Corneillie emphasizes the importance of participation: “By taking part in YOUCA Action Day, we give young people the opportunity to realize their commitment, both in the Global South and here at home. Through the efforts of the students here, their Spanish, Filipino, and Brazilian peers advocate for a just economy that respects human rights and the environment. For our young people here, it is both a chance to get a glimpse into working life and a way to contribute to a sustainable and just future.”
No fewer than 95 Leuven employers offered jobs, including UZ Leuven, Zorg Leuven, and KU Leuven. With 35 YOUCA workplaces, Leuven City was the largest employer. In total, around 561 committed young people from Leuven schools participated.
The daily wage of 70 euros that the students earn goes towards strong youth projects worldwide. This year, YOUCA supports youth organizations such as SomosTerra (Spain), YOUCA Brazil, and the Cordilleran Youth Center (Philippines) in their search for alternative ways to live, produce, and consume justly, without human exploitation or environmental damage.
