British/Irish-German Trade Union Youth Forum 2024
The programme kicked off with the arrival of the British delegation in Düsseldorf, followed by an engaging workshop on the German trade union landscape and the political climate. The second day featured a comprehensive tour of the Hambach open-pit mine and discussions with RWE and the Works Council on co-determination and just transition strategies. This was followed by a visit to ThyssenKrupp Steel, where the delegation learned about the transition to green steel and the role of trade unions in navigating structural changes.
On the third day, the delegates visited the Northrhine-Westphalia State Parliament, listened to a plenary debate about the creation of commercial courts in Northrhine-Westphalia, and engaged in a dialogue with MdB Lisa Kapteinat from the SPD Parliamentary Group on political frameworks for structural change. The day concluded with discussions on combating the far-right and the challenges facing trade unions involving young trade unionists from Germany and Austria.
The final day included a debriefing session, focusing on next steps and future collaborations. This forum emphasised the importance of international dialogue and cooperation in addressing common challenges and shaping a just and sustainable future for workers on both sides of the Channel.
A special thank you to the DGB Jugend NRW for hosting us and organising such a brilliant programme!
